Spring Dives in North Florida

[Nemrod]

Maybe Nemrod is being somewhat sarcastic here (maybe??), but the above comment is just ridiculous..as a blanket statement. I live in the area and don't have much trouble getting in nice dives in the local springs.

Sure, if you show up at Ginnie Springs on a holiday or summer weekend it might be a bit of a zoo, but Its not that hard to predict and plan for a calm, quiet time for a nice spring dive. Even high traffic places like Blue Grotto can be a really nice dive if you go on a weekday. But really, this is not much different that some of the theme parks. I have no idea why some people drive from miles away to stand in line at Disney over 3-day weekends. All the CFL locals know full well when to stay the heck away.

You said it, theme park. Yep like diving in a theme park describes it to me.

I would dive in the worst saltwater dive site and prefer it to dealing with the theme park springs.

I dove Ginnie back when it was a hippie hang out in the woods, Morrison when it was down a dirt trail. I have been in all of them, it is a scene I can pass on these days. They are not partucularly intersting and way crowded and over regulated.

N

 

[Caveeagle]

You said it, theme park. Yep like diving in a theme park describes it to me.

I would dive in the worst saltwater dive site and prefer it to dealing with the theme park springs.

I dove Ginnie back when it was a hippie hang out in the woods, Morrison when it was down a dirt trail. I have been in all of them, it is a scene I can pass on these days. They are not partucularly intersting and way crowded and over regulated.

N

I guess If you only dive on busy weekend days, then you might just be better off avoiding the springs. But I bet you don't get onto a crowded boat full of snorkelers... Do you? Sort of the same thing.

I have dove Ginnie, Blue Grotto, Manatee, Fanning, Paradise, Jug,and Troy, all within the last year and have been able to avoid the conditions you describe. Go on a weekday, non-holiday weekend or even early on a sunday. Its not that hard to avoid the crowds.

...Or get cave certified and there are many more options!

..Just making a blanket statement to blow off the springs is just a but silly. I like some salt water diving too, but saying the 'worst' salt water dive is better than any spring diving is a bit hard to understand.

 

[kelemvor]

I looked into the Hospital Hole a little bit and it seems like an interesting dive, but everything I have found says there is now way to dive it as a shore dive since the land is all privately owned. Do you know is there a way to dive it if I don't own a boat in florida?

One of my dive buddies bought a john boat so we could dive this site, but we haven't tried it yet. Someday soon!

 

[Nemrod]

I guess If you only dive on busy weekend days, then you might just be better off avoiding the springs. But I bet you don't get onto a crowded boat full of snorkelers... Do you? Sort of the same thing.

I have dove Ginnie, Blue Grotto, Manatee, Fanning, Paradise, Jug,and Troy, all within the last year and have been able to avoid the conditions you describe. Go on a weekday, non-holiday weekend or even early on a sunday. Its not that hard to avoid the crowds.

...Or get cave certified and there are many more options!

..Just making a blanket statement to blow off the springs is just a but silly. I like some salt water diving too, but saying the 'worst' salt water dive is better than any spring diving is a bit hard to understand.

These are opinion driven forums and that is mine whether you think it silly or not.

I have been in nearly all if them, I find them largely boring and confined and mostly crowded and severely regulated if a park and too commercial for the remainder.

Silly or not. I do not care for quarries either for much the same reasons.

N

 

[topher10]

Any opinions on Vortex Springs, north of Panama City?

 

[DogDiver]

If you can't afford to play with the big dogs, then don't get off the porch.

The prices charged are to assure these sites remain open.

 

[Caveeagle]

These are opinion driven forums and that is mine whether you think it silly or not.

I have been in nearly all if them, I find them largely boring and confined and mostly crowded and severely regulated if a park and too commercial for the remainder.

Silly or not. I do not care for quarries either for much the same reasons.

N

My comments were not based on your dislike for spring (or quarry) diving. Just your blanket statement that would make it sound like ANY day of spring diving stinks because of over-crowding and a lack of interesting things. If you don't like what the springs have to offer.. that's fine by me! Heck, to each his own! But I am entitled to my opinion too, and don't appreciate the blanket statement that makes it sound like springs of dead of all life and overrun with drunk yokels 23/7/365. That's just not true, and I am happy to call you out on that.

Like I said.. Sure there are days when the popular springs get a bit chaotic. But I have been to Loo Key when it was overrun with snorkelers and was surely not optimal conditions for my enjoyment. Kind of the same thing (IMHO) ...A smart diver does some research and tries to time there activity for the best result..

I try to take in almost any kind of diving I can fit into my schedule. Sure all the colorful marine life makes for beautiful pictures. But beauty does not always in come in Technicolor! I have seen plenty of amazing geology, fauna and flora in the fresh water springs. Sometimes you just have to slow down a bit to look for it.

 

[bamafan]

I looked into the Hospital Hole a little bit and it seems like an interesting dive, but everything I have found says there is now way to dive it as a shore dive since the land is all privately owned. Do you know is there a way to dive it if I don't own a boat in florida?

You can rent a canoe or kayak at Weeki Watchie State Park and you paddle right by it going to the boat ramp where you are picked up

 

[TMHeimer]

Any opinions on Vortex Springs, north of Panama City?

I took quite a few courses there. It's OK, but IMHO, as of 2007, the fee jumping to $32 -- just not worth it for me. If I were into fresh water I'd go back to Morrison--no fee--even with possible poor viz and alligators (last time I was there in '08, someone had stolen the "beware of Alligators" sign).