What are the best cave dives in Florida?

[ucfdiver]

Guys... not sure I understand all the chatter about Friedman's. After the first dive or two, I thought everyone went in at Friedman's, swam up stream, turned and came out at the headspring. It's not like you're gonna miss the exit or something, and as SL27 was saying, 1/3rds ain't an issue either.

The issue is you hit the point of no return.


What real benefit is there to entering at friedmans? You only save 20min, and have to walk in the heat. You save 1/2 a stage for all that walking. Not my thing!

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

The issue is you hit the point of no return.

Not really... If you can get from Catfish to Friedman's on less than thirds, then you have enough gas to turn around and go back. But, why would you need to since there's three other exits downstream? What are the chances of a cave collapse?

Now, if it's just not you're thing, no objection there. Everyone has their thing...

 

[ucfdiver]

Not really... If you can get from Catfish to Friedman's on less than thirds, then you have enough gas to turn around and go back. But, why would you need to since there's three other exits downstream? What are the chances of a cave collapse?

Now, if it's just not you're thing, no objection there. Everyone has their thing...

Once you've proved it, I have no issues doing it. I've never swam it (and never will, swimming at Manatee is just silly).

 

[Superlyte27]

Well, I don't doubt you have 50+ systems for even a second. I see you everywhere: CaveDiver forum, Deco Stop and here, that's three right there.

Just kidding... I know you're a very active cave diver. I'm curious, what's the objection to Devil's? Don't you feel like you have to see it just once?

LOL, that's hilarious...
When I was un-employed, I got to dive alot. Now that I'm employed and at a computer all day... I get to post alot and only dive one day a week.

 

[Moonglow]

Update, thanks for the suggestions and comments.

I will box up and send my equipment (no tanks) via UPS to my Suites hotel, which I will pick up upon my Sunday morning arrival in Gainesville - I will rent a car for the week. My instructor will be staying at his brother's house in the city for the week, where I have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner.

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Here's the current schedule:

Sunday 20th: morning flight into Gainesville.

Monday: go by Lloyd Bailey's shop for tanks and gas, and meet up with two other divers - all day at Ginnie Springs.

Tuesday: go by CEE, get gas - all day at Devil's Ear/Eye.

Wednesday: go by Amigo's - all day at Little River.

Thursday: morning dive at Paradise.

Friday: go by CE - all day at Telford, spend the night in Mayo (Cindy's?)

Saturday: go by Dive Outpost - all day at Peacock.

Sunday 27th: evening flight home.

 

[ucfdiver]

Just a suggestion, rent tanks from CEE Monday/Tuesday rather than going out of the way to Lloyds. Nitrox is cheaper there, and since it's so close to Ginnie, taking tanks back is much easier.

I would also bypass Telford for Peacock. While Telford is a gorgeous cave and one of my favorites in the area, you have to boat there or scooter up river, killing time you could see more cave at Peacock. I think you'll find 2 days at Peacock to be reasonable.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Just kidding... I know you're a very active cave diver. I'm curious, what's the objection to Devil's? Don't you feel like you have to see it just once?

Nah, we have a couple of beat to hell caves up here too... I'd rather dive something else when I'm over that way.

 

[T-Dog]

I don't remember Paradise having much of a cave system. Though I only dove it once back in the '90s. You may enjoy diving Telford more on Thursday and then 2 days at Peacock, as UCFdiver suggested, there's definitely 2 days worth of diving at Peacock.

 

[Superlyte27]

Paradise is a trashhole that costs 30+ dollars. No thanks.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Update, thanks for the suggestions and comments.

I will box up and send my equipment (no tanks) via UPS to my Suites hotel, which I will pick up upon my Sunday morning arrival in Gainesville - I will rent a car for the week. My instructor will be staying at his brother's house in the city for the week, where I have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the current schedule:

Sunday 20th: morning flight into Gainesville.

Monday: go by Lloyd Bailey's shop for tanks and gas, and meet up with two other divers - all day at Ginnie Springs.

Tuesday: go by CEE, get gas - all day at Devil's Ear/Eye.

Wednesday: go by Amigo's - all day at Little River.

Thursday: morning dive at Paradise.

Friday: go by CE - all day at Telford, spend the night in Mayo (Cindy's?)

Saturday: go by Dive Outpost - all day at Peacock.

Sunday 27th: evening flight home.

It's all good... I second skipping Telford for Peacock, the logistics would kill too much time. And, getting tanks at CEE.