Vortex Spring

[k ellis]

Hey I noticed that the place is open 364 days a year. Anyone know about how the air temp is there when say in dec and jan?

 

[mike_s]

daytime temp "highs" could be anywhere from the 40's to the 60's on average I'd guess. It just varies slightly....


EDIT:

Here is the Temerature report for the last year from Crestview Airport , which is not too far away. This should be good for planning purposes....

 

[snepdiver]

Mikes info is spot on. The water is always a nice and reliable 68 degrees. It is very comfortable all year long in a 3/2. I just wear a hood after October. But thats just me. Most are comfortable, or so they tell me, In a 5.

 

[mike_s]

Mikes info is spot on. The water is always a nice and reliable 68 degrees. It is very comfortable all year long in a 3/2. I just wear a hood after October. But thats just me. Most are comfortable, or so they tell me, In a 5.

I used to could dive 68f in a shorty or a 3mm full. but I prefer a 5mm now days... (of course folks will differ with personal preference and tolerance to the cold).


The only thing in Dec/Jan for the original poster is that if the wind is up and the air temp is in the 50's for example, it can get a little chilly. Some folks battle this by putting up those pop up shelters and adding sides to it to block the wind. (or wrapping the sides in a tarp for example).


While your there, you should dive Morrison Springs also. it's about 15 minutes away.

They should have it open by January [sarcasm implied].

 

[jim2386]

Hey, I was in Vortex Springs in september. Here are some of my pictures from the trip if you're interested.

Jim Leemhuis's Photos - Vortex Springs | Facebook

Make sure you venture into the small cave a bit, it's the real draw of the dive. Remember to practice the 1/3 rules!

Anyway, the people above are correct. 68 all year around. I wore a 3mm with a hood and I was just fine. Also, if you're lucky like us, you'll meet the guy who invented the Diver Down flag who lives on site. He's not very happy with the other people who now own the springs...long story. Anyway long story short he gave us free passes to come back anytime we want and dive on his side of the property. It's a fun dive! Also it's nice that there's no thermocline...68 all the way to the bottom. I found when I first jumped in it was a bit cold till my wetsuit kicked in and then I was perfectly fine since the temperature was constant and it didn't drop 15 degrees when you hit 30'

Have fun!
Jim

 

[diver 85]

Hey I noticed that the place is open 364 days a year. Anyone know about how the air temp is there when say in dec and jan?

Depends if an Artic front has just come thru---if it has, be sure & have your long johns along---could be a high in the mid 30's that day.......But in general, it's going to only be cold ie not very cold----in January that is....Dec, a piece of cake........

 

[ScubaGypsy]

We dove on New Years evening 2007 between 9:30 pm and 10:15 pm. The air temperatures was 50 F though it felt much cooler. The water temperature was 68 F throughout. Five of us stayed in the motorhome and had the heat on for the night as it dipped into the mid 40's F.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Vortex is divable year round. We go there regularly during the winter. The problem with winter months is not the diving but the getting out. When there is rime all over the docks and trees the water feels really warm. When your hand leaves the water to get out you say "DANG!" You just have to prepare by having a windproof jacket to go over your wetsuit, stay in the water for your surface intervals, or wear a dry suit.

 

[covediver]

when i lived in AL, I would dive Vortex all the time, with a traditional Jan 1 day (not much into bowl games or drinking). The place was great. I dove a 6.5 mm one piece with detached hood and was very comfortable. Now my new years day dive is 34 degrees and it requires a drysuit. Difference between AK and AL. What a difference on letter in the postal code makes....