Hey, I used to swim in there for fun, but that was 20 years ago. Water has probably degraded since this, as has Pasco county.eandiver:
Pasco County Dive Spots?
- Thread starter TerryInFlorida
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TerryInFlorida:
Considering the river is all of 20 to 25 feet across in most spots this does not surprise me. Drift diving that river is a suicide mission.
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TerryInFlorida:
Anytime, We'll have to dive together some time in the future, I really like your web site. Thinking of registering.
I went to the park to check out the access. I talked to a couple of divers there. I got the impression it's a OK dive but nothing special. I'll be going back in a couple of weeks to check it out. I'll be taking the canoe. Seems to deadly to try to walk or swim.
ScubaMike14
Contributor
Hospital Hole is nice dive and is very deep, so be sure you are properly trained and have a primary light and a reel if you are going to the bottom. You can hit 150 at the entrance to the cavern.
The hole itself is about 50-60 yards in circumfrence, and at 75ft you hit what looks like a ring of white smoke, which is actually a large sulfur clooud. The water get's a bit warmer at this point, but it smells pretty bad. When you descend below the sulfur clould it gets darker and colder. The bottom is black muck, and you can easily put your arm, or leg into it about 2 feet. (Don't drop your light).
There is a fixed line with a ball on top of it at the bottom, tie a reel in from here and you can go to the cavern (if you can find it).
Boats will always be on top, it's a popular fishing hole. There are also 3 resident manatee this time of the year, they are very playfull and curious, especially the baby. It will swim right over to you and follow you around to about 30 feet or so.
If you (or any of you) want to know some other spots, or get in on some spring / cavern stuff, give me a call at EZ Scuba in Tampa. 813-887-5712. We dive stuff like this ALL the time.
We are also doing a 3 tank boat trip to the Gulf on Saturday, March 18th. Deep, Wreck and Night dives. Will probably hit the Sheridan if weather is good. You are all welcome to come, call the shop and get on the list. The boat we use is out of Dunedin, so the drive won't be bad for the Pasco folks.
Mike Rushton
The hole itself is about 50-60 yards in circumfrence, and at 75ft you hit what looks like a ring of white smoke, which is actually a large sulfur clooud. The water get's a bit warmer at this point, but it smells pretty bad. When you descend below the sulfur clould it gets darker and colder. The bottom is black muck, and you can easily put your arm, or leg into it about 2 feet. (Don't drop your light).
There is a fixed line with a ball on top of it at the bottom, tie a reel in from here and you can go to the cavern (if you can find it).
Boats will always be on top, it's a popular fishing hole. There are also 3 resident manatee this time of the year, they are very playfull and curious, especially the baby. It will swim right over to you and follow you around to about 30 feet or so.
If you (or any of you) want to know some other spots, or get in on some spring / cavern stuff, give me a call at EZ Scuba in Tampa. 813-887-5712. We dive stuff like this ALL the time.
We are also doing a 3 tank boat trip to the Gulf on Saturday, March 18th. Deep, Wreck and Night dives. Will probably hit the Sheridan if weather is good. You are all welcome to come, call the shop and get on the list. The boat we use is out of Dunedin, so the drive won't be bad for the Pasco folks.
Mike Rushton
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