Manatee Springs - 11/4-6 - DUI Demo

Any Conch's planning on heading up to Manatee Springs for the DUI Demo Days....?

Definately need a buddy...

Is this someplace you could spend a whole weekend diving and not get bored...?

Wondering what camping facilities are like up there..?

-Tim

I have never camped there, so I am of no help there.

As far as diving goes, you will have access to Cafish Hotel, a sinkhole ~50' in deiameter, that drops down to about 40' deep at the entrance to the cavern (Cllimbs up on soapbox) This is, IMO, one of the more dangerous caverns around, as one end of the cavern is a siphon that attempts to suck one in, and therefore could turn into a full fledged cave dive real quick! Please stay out if you are not an experienced cavern diver!(Climbs down off of soapbox) Sorry, just had to spit that out.

Although it was flooded & inaccessible the last two times I was there, I THINK that you can also dive the boil of the headspring. Don't quote me on that, though.

I would say that it would be hard to stay occupied for two full days of diving in the OW areas.

Camping there s not bad. Go to;
http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/default.cfm
for park info.

Here's the map on reserveamerica.com which shows the sites...

http://www.reserveamerica.com/jsp/commonpage.jsp?goto=/usa/fl/mana/newindex.html

My recommendation is #'s 93-96 if any of them are open.
Believe me, it's worth getting a reservation NOW!!!!

I may try to make this event. If I do, I'll dive with you. This is a great site for a few trips, after that, you'll get bored.

DUI Demo? Hey, hit the pub and get one for real on the drive home!

In all seriousness if I could go, I would be there!

My son and I will be there. We are thinking about going up on Saturday night, camping, and then demoing on Sunday.

It's his first dry suit experience so it should be fun, especially trying to get one that will fit a tall, skinny kid with size 13 feet.

I could have SWORN I replied to this thread...

I am trying to be there Sunday. I will be at the NACD convention in Gainesville on Saturday. This will be MY first drysuit experience as well.