Vortex Spring?

[Knight1989]

I believe that cave is sidemount. I need to get a map of that thing one day.

Up to the gate there is plenty of room, I'd say 4 ft high, 6ft wide, give or take. Cant say about after the gate, never been past it.

 

[Diveral]

I like Vortex and I like Morrison. Vortex has everything you will need and I like the cavern and Cave simulators. You have to take everything you need to Morrison but it is nice and not nearly as crowded.

 

[ianr33]

I hear the cave at Vortex is nice, it might be worth a look if you are cave cert'd.
.

Well if you like a cave with a thick rubber hose for a mainline and christmas tree lights in it then maybe. Not exactly a wilderness experience It might be better after the locked gate?

Morrison was MUCH more to my taste

 

[slackercruster]

How far to the side???

It depends. Depending upon what time of the day and what time of the year you get there, you can have conditions that feel as if you're diving in air or, if the students have already arrived, it can be rather silty.

This time of the year there are herds and herds of classes descending upon the place. Around 10 in the morning it resembles a small pool full of tadpoles!

But, all in all, it's a good dive venue.

the K

Thanks. I'm surprised it gets so silty. I thought it was very large and not subject to much viz problems.

How is it in early May? Tons of students or do they start in June?

 

[slackercruster]

Eventually it is, but you can back mount it for a goodways from what I understand. Certainly backmountable to 100' to the gate, as OW people often do it... I've personally never past the first curve to the left after the cavern area.

Is cave safe for OW divers? Can they carry lights or are lights not needed for this dive?

 

[slackercruster]

I think that Vortex is worth a trip if you're close by and have never been there. I wouldn't drive too far out of the way though if you're on a tight schedule or you've already been there. It's located just 10 minutes north of I-10 if you're driving the interstate through the panhandle.

They've recently raised their price from $25 to $32, but it also includes 1 free air fill in the new price. Vortex is a great spot for beginner dives in a calm clear environment. the main basis is 35 feet deep (i'm guessing) and the bottom of the basin is about 55 feet maybe in the large opening of the cavern. The cave entrance goes back to about 110 feet deep to the 'grate/gate' where you have to be full cave certified to get the key to go further.

Like the other said, Morrison is nice also. It's also free, which makes it nicer. But they don't have an onsite dive operation/shop anymore like Vortex does. It's located about 15-20 minutes south of Vortex and about 10 minutes south of I-10.

Thanks for the feedback. The springs are getting very pricey. Is the cave dive worthwhile up to the grate if you are an OW diver?

 

[slackercruster]

Having dove both, stay away from vortex. Its 32$ just to get in. Unless your doing a cave dive you arent going to see anything anyways, except for the other 100 divers that are there. Its crowded, and you can barely swim without kicking anouther diver or interupting a class thats there. If you going to do the cave then its worth it just to have done it, but otherwise go to Morrison down the road, nicer dive, less crowded, better viz(due to less people) and its just more leasurely. But there are no dive shops or related support facilities so you'd need to rent somewhere else if your renting gear. I'd just dive at Morrison.

Thanks for the feedback. Morrison sounds much better.

 

[slackercruster]

BTW, who runs Morrison spring? Is it regulated or are solo divers allowed? I had trouble at many regulated springs on my last trip that did not allow solo like Troy and Devils Den, even though I have redundant air supply.

 

[PerroneFord]

Morrison is unregulated. You can do what you like.

 

[Wayward Son]

I thought Vortex was over priced at $25. It's a place you can get wet & practise skills, but I didn't find it to be worth the price of admission beyend that.

Ginnie spring near Gainsville was a much more enjoyable dive for me. great viz without the silt problem & a large cavern you can go into without special training or gear.