Springs road trip

[reefseal]

I need a break from the cold waters of New England. In recent issue of Scuba Diving, they featured an article on diving Fla. Springs. I'm looking to plan a long weekend to hit the key springs. (Blue Grotto, Devils Den, Ginnie Springs, Crystal River..)

Was hoping someone could give me suggested itinerary.. e.g. which ones can hit in one day.. Recommendations on nearby hotels. I would be flying inot Miami Friday AM Memorial Day and have to head back afternoon of Tuesday.

If anyone is ever coming up here, I would be more than happy to be guide in new england. Cape Ann, Maine, NH Coast.

Another option instead of doing a Springs road trip, someone suggested long weekend on live aboard in Bimini or Bahamas (e.g. Blackbeards) Would be interested in opinions to go that route.

Luis

 

[Wildbill]

Hey reefseal,
Glad to have you visit our state but if your flying into miami your better off diving along the east coast or the upper/middle keys. The springs are all in northern FL area and would be about 6-7 hour drive. If you can fly into Orlando you would cut that down to Half. If you are really set on diving the springs visit www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com Also take a look at www.floridasprings.net

Hope this helps, give a post before you arrive and you will surely find a buddy or two to tag along.

Wildbill:cop_2:

 

[The Chairman]

But can you really dive in the springs??? wink

 

[jviehe]

Yes, if you are going to be in Miami, the Springs are a long way away, probably 6 hours driving. However, if you make it, the best ones to do would be Ginnie, Troy, and maybe Blue Grotto.

 

[Wendy]

You would be better off flying into Jacksonville or Orlando. Miami is a looonnnnggg way from the springs.

 

[CBulla]

Springs dives.. Fly into Tampa international, its about 2-3 hour drive from all the springs that are featured in the article with basically interstate driving right up to the regions these sites are in. Depending on your tastes the hotels are quaint and the camping in that region of the state is great!

 

[The Chairman]

There is also Tallahassee and Gainesville to fly into. They are not "international" airports but are also FAR closer than the other sites mentioned.

 

[simbrooks]

With regard to the other part of what you were asking, take a look at
http://www.cavediving.com/aftp/cave_map.pdf to show you the relative locations of the springs in the north part of FL. As for combing several areas into days (we have been looking at this for camping trips) - you can do devils and blue grotto easily in a day/afternoon as they are across from each other. Blue Grotto has two sites that could also be in a day, Royal and Troy are also pretty close. Crystal River is a little further away and a little further off the I-75 backbone of the rest of these sites - also there are 3 dive sites i believe (King Springs, Gator Hole and 3 Sisters?) there, and the manatees of course! It would be a nice trip down there, but its a little out of your way if you arent coming in from Tampa.

As for liveaboards, there are a few, i dont have experience of any of them, i was contemplating the dry tortugas one day and of course the bahamas arent that far away if you are set on going into miami - probably a closer trip than the driving for the springs from there!

 

[reefseal]

Again, thanks! This is what I was interested in. The reason for coming from Miami is there is a friend of mine that just moved down from NH that I want to visit and wants to join me. Good point about springs being quite a way up. I knew they were but didn't realize that far away.. I'm now leaning towards finding an outfit doing dive till you drop charters to Bimini/Bahamas out of Miami or doing road trip down to keys and doing dives along way (i.e. Speigel grove..)

Thanks and keep those ideas coming.