Ohio

[schu1842]

I've dove Whitestar, Gilboa and Twin Quarries and finally added Portage to my list last week. I'm planning on Natural Springs near the Ohio line on August 5. I'd appreciate any thoughts on Natural Springs. Here is my quick assessment of the other sites: 1) Whitestar - Great visibility and dive platforms. The rock crusher house area was good and generally good sites to see. 2) Gilboa - Great entry platforms. The plane is always fun. I have not seen the helicopter in the water yet. Visibility can be variable. Facilities great and given the depths there is something for everyone - newbie or tech. 3) Portage - Entry and exit a little more difficult than the others and visibility was limited. By far the largest facility. I've got to go back because there was just too much territory to cover in one trip. The navigation lines put in by the dive team were very helpful. The new plane is great!!! Probably more to see here than the other sites. The staff was extremely welcoming and although there were not many divers the beach was packed. 4) Twin Quarries - Pretty small but I had a good time. There seemed to be a family atmosphere but I preferred the diving at the other locations. Are there any other good Ohio sites out there?

 

[GOBUCKEYES]

if you can dive Natural Springs on a weekday go, the weekend the vis gets bad!! We and my wife took are test there last year and we could not see are hand in front of your face.They don't have air fill on the weekdays.I was told you don't want to dive after it rains vis is bad.

 

[Hoosier]

Natural Springs: It is just been there done that diving site for me...

It has a nice amenity out there and good place for a whole family though...

I was not impressed that much after a long driving from my place.

 

[Notso_Ken]

I've dove Whitestar, Gilboa and Twin Quarries and finally added Portage to my list last week. I'm planning on Natural Springs near the Ohio line on August 5. I'd appreciate any thoughts on Natural Springs.

From my perspective, Natural Springs' main attraction is it is closer than any of the others for me. That said, I'd rather drive 1 1/2 hours to Gilboa than 1 hour to Natural Springs.

Best 2 sites in Ohio from my experience are Gilboa and White Star. I've done all the rest, and I'd rather go to Gilboa and white star.

You might want to also consider a side trip to Indiana to Blue Springs.


Ken

 

[Reggae Joe]

Haven't done Natural Springs yet...honestly, I haven't heard too much about it, comparatively speaking.

That said, though, my SO and I live in Lima, which is more towards the Gilboa/Portage/White Star region. I've dove all of them numerous times, and I'd still have to say that Gilboa's my fave (although it's best to get there early when the vis is still decent). Portage is my second-fave, though, partly because that's where I was trained at.

Speaking of which, my SO and I are going to be doing the first part of our AOW on August 4th at Portage...hope to see some of you Ohio guys and gals out there!

 

[trucker girl]

I have only been to Natural Springs and Gilboa in Ohio. I've been to Blue Springs in Indiana and Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania.

I've only been to Natural Springs once. It's only 45 minutes from me, though Gilboa is 1.5 hours at least. I won't be back to Natural Springs unless I have a reason- like meeting up with wb416 or erparamedic. Too many people for such a small site. Too little to see. Too shallow. Too many weeds. Too poor visibility. And too many fish hooks.

I'd like to go to Portage and/or White Star. Thanks for your trip reports there.

I wouldn't dissuade you from going. It's a different experience. I know of a lot of divers who dive there regularly. I simply prefer driving further to a site I can enjoy more.

 

[Hoosier]

To be honest, the local lake's environment is much better than Natural Springs....

YMWV....

 

[Reggae Joe]

TG, someday--when you're in the area--you'll have to do a dive or three with me an Ecky up at Portage...

 

[trucker girl]

hoosier- what does YMWV mean?

RG- August 10th (Friday). My best friend is flying in on the 9th and we're diving on the 10th. Probably. I don't want to do weekend diving. We'll probably be at Gilboa, though!

 

[wb416]

From my perspective, Natural Springs' main attraction is it is closer than any of the others for me. That said, I'd rather drive 1 1/2 hours to Gilboa than 1 hour to Natural Springs.

Best 2 sites in Ohio from my experience are Gilboa and White Star. I've done all the rest, and I'd rather go to Gilboa and white star.

You might want to also consider a side trip to Indiana to Blue Springs.


Ken

I agree with that statement.

I had hoped to check out Natural Springs this past weekend... just need something close to dip in for the evening during the week since Gilboa is 2hrs for me.... dang, I sure miss having whitestar 15 minutes away!