ccardvol
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Hey everyone. My brother and I and planning on jumping in Paradise Springs in Ocala this Saturday. Anyone know of something we should really look for?
Thanks
ccardvol
Thanks
ccardvol
Paradise
- Thread starter ccardvol
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Look for underwater? Id be careful as its mostly a cavern dive with some cave, and silts up easy.
427Dave
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This is description from website, be safe, I notice you are fairly new to diving.
Paradise Springs is a commercially operated dive site. This is an advanced (cavern and cave) dive, so open water divers should limit their depth to 60 feet while those with cavern and cave training are welcome to go further. The maximum depth at Paradise Springs is 140 feet. At best the whole spring should be considered to be a cavern dive and you should be appropriately trained for an overhead environment. Anything below 100 feet is absolutely a cave dive and should not be attempted without the correct training, equipment, and gas mix. You need lights throughout the dive. The entrance fee is $27, though reservations are no longer accepted and there are air fills available on the site for about $5. This is a nice dive with visibility often being excellent, although you should arrive early or during a weekday to avoid the crowd. Depths can reach 140ft, though it really starts to get silty past 100 feet where a warning sign is posted.
Paradise Springs is a commercially operated dive site. This is an advanced (cavern and cave) dive, so open water divers should limit their depth to 60 feet while those with cavern and cave training are welcome to go further. The maximum depth at Paradise Springs is 140 feet. At best the whole spring should be considered to be a cavern dive and you should be appropriately trained for an overhead environment. Anything below 100 feet is absolutely a cave dive and should not be attempted without the correct training, equipment, and gas mix. You need lights throughout the dive. The entrance fee is $27, though reservations are no longer accepted and there are air fills available on the site for about $5. This is a nice dive with visibility often being excellent, although you should arrive early or during a weekday to avoid the crowd. Depths can reach 140ft, though it really starts to get silty past 100 feet where a warning sign is posted.
SuPrBuGmAn
Contributor
Look for the fossilized remains of all the prehistoric creatures on the ceilings and walls. Its a fun dive, one of my favorites in the area.
scubafool
Contributor
I believe (though I could be wrong) that the price is up to $30 now.
There is a platform at ~ 20' to the left of the entry stairs, and a shallow but really pretty section of the cavern around that. Check out the walls, lots of tiny solution holes in that area. As you get into the main cavern, still shallow, there are fossilized sand dollars in the ceiling which are kind of neat. As you get deeper, there are mostly big rocks and lots of silt. (I don't quite know why I think rocks and silt are pretty, but I do) At the bottom around 90 feet deep, the room opens up the right. This area is VERY SILTY, and is not in view of the light from the entrance. Stay near the rope that leads back to the entrance at this depth. I have seen the visibility so poor that you couldn't see any light from the surface at 85'.
Have fun, this is one of my favorite cavern dives.
There is a platform at ~ 20' to the left of the entry stairs, and a shallow but really pretty section of the cavern around that. Check out the walls, lots of tiny solution holes in that area. As you get into the main cavern, still shallow, there are fossilized sand dollars in the ceiling which are kind of neat. As you get deeper, there are mostly big rocks and lots of silt. (I don't quite know why I think rocks and silt are pretty, but I do) At the bottom around 90 feet deep, the room opens up the right. This area is VERY SILTY, and is not in view of the light from the entrance. Stay near the rope that leads back to the entrance at this depth. I have seen the visibility so poor that you couldn't see any light from the surface at 85'.
Have fun, this is one of my favorite cavern dives.
BusterDive
Registered
To STEAL from scubuster.com, here is some more info
PARADISE SPRINGS:
Current dive price: $40.00
Fill price: 8.00
Rental Gear: yes
Paradise Springs is a nice place to get your feet wet (no pun intended) on overhead environment diving, as well as cave diving. You can reach a max depth of 100’ without cave certification and 140’ with! The bottom is silt, so if you’re following students, or inexperienced divers be prepared for low visibility. But if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets there first you can be treated with 100+ visibility! They do have a fill station there and limited rental facility, but bring your own gear if you’re able to. Changing area/restroom and picnic tables are on site.
PROS: Great overhead Dive! You’ll get to 100’ before needing any tech certification. There are tons of fossils with a bunch of interesting nooks.
CONS: A little on the pricey side for the amenities (or lack thereof) provided. It can tend to “green up” in the summer months. Unless you’re a diver you’re B O R E D !
PARADISE SPRINGS:
Current dive price: $40.00
Fill price: 8.00
Rental Gear: yes
Paradise Springs is a nice place to get your feet wet (no pun intended) on overhead environment diving, as well as cave diving. You can reach a max depth of 100’ without cave certification and 140’ with! The bottom is silt, so if you’re following students, or inexperienced divers be prepared for low visibility. But if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets there first you can be treated with 100+ visibility! They do have a fill station there and limited rental facility, but bring your own gear if you’re able to. Changing area/restroom and picnic tables are on site.
PROS: Great overhead Dive! You’ll get to 100’ before needing any tech certification. There are tons of fossils with a bunch of interesting nooks.
CONS: A little on the pricey side for the amenities (or lack thereof) provided. It can tend to “green up” in the summer months. Unless you’re a diver you’re B O R E D !
BusterDive:
Er , when did it go up to $40???!!!!
The last time David and I dove there it was $30...
And that wasn't that long ago...
But yes , if you get there early in the morning and it's not silty in there , the vis is just superb!!!
And yes , look at all the fossils in the walls. Most of them can be found on the NON-DEEP side of the platform , over in the white walls. But you can see shells all over in there , even on the ceiling !
Caution down near the bottom of the cavern. It silts up REALLY FAST down there and the vis can get nassy in a hurry if you are not careful !
Not to be a mother hen or anything
Jeano Beano
realnwf
Registered
I will be in Ocala 4/29 to 5/4 for the birth of my first granddaughter. Would love to get in some dives while there if some one would like to get together. Am OW cert so would be best to stick with some thing basic. Is there any good diving local to Ocala? Thanks
SuPrBuGmAn
Contributor
Alexander Springs is a basic(and relatively shallow) dive located inside Ocala National Park. Its really pretty site and quite fun.
scubafool
Contributor
I second BugMan's suggestion. The only day that I MIGHT be available would be 4/29, a Sunday. I only live ~1/2 an hour from Alexander, though. If tanks would be an issue for you, I think I have a couple of full ones, so as to possibly save you the hassle of renting.
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