Florida Spring Diving!

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wcoyote

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To all of you SCUBA Guru's out there, I am looking for a book or magazine that gives me a good bit of info on Florida Springs and the accommodations that are available either at the site or in the vicinity.

As well as any recomendations on a few good spring dives for the north/central FL area. Cert: OW (dive buddy)/ AOW (me)


TIA
 
Hi Wcoyote, and welcome to the board.

I have a book that is in most of the dive shops around here called "Diving Guide to Underwater Florida" which was written by Ned DeLoach. A phone number in the book (1997 issue) for more copies is (904)737-6558, you might be able to get it from them directly.

It was $18.95+ $5 sh but I suspect that has gone up a bit. This book has every oversized mud hole in the state of Florida in it and directions like"turn at pink mailbox and pay farmer in straw hat".

Really, it covers the entire state both fresh and salt water with directions, maps,phone numbers and entrance requirements along with adds for dive operators. I think this book will meet your needs.


 
I've been to Crystal River in West Central FL a couple of times, never dove there though (I wasn't certified then).

It's the winter home of the manatees, and the spring is usu. about 72 deg. F year-round.

Other than that: Ginnie Springs in N. Central FL. And Wakulla Springs somewhere on the panhandle have been recommended. Check http://www.flausa.com
to look for more info.

BTW, Where are you from?

-Parrot


 
There isn't a whole lot to most of the springs if you aren't cavern or cave certified, so bear that in mind and you won't be disappointed. In the panhandle (if you want to drift that far west) there are two magnitude 1 springs worth a visit - Cypress (9 miles south of Bonifay) is a pretty small bowl but the flow keeps it crystal clear - even if there are a bunch of students kicking it up, it takes all of about ten minutes to return to gin clear. There are picturesque cypress logs, stumps and grasses where you can find carp, bass, bream, turtles, and, if you're lucky, a rainbow snake. Temp is 68 degrees every day. Accomodations in Bonifay are adequate - recommend the ex-Econo Lodge now called the Bonifay Inn, just north of I10. You can get a beer at the Pizza hut, and a decent piece of fish at Blitch's (but no beer).
Morrison (just south of Ponce de Leon) has a much larger bowl, and unlike Cypress, allows night diving, where the American eels come out to play. There are two caverns attached to Morrison that have both claimed open water divers so stay out of 'em. Temp is 68.
Vortex is just north of Ponce de Leon and is extensively developed with campgrounds, a large dive shop, and considerable improvements to the spring bowl itself. The flow won't keep it clear, though, and unless you're ready to get in early, it'll be kicked up pretty bad. The cavern at Vortex is pretty safe, but even with a steel gate blocking the cave, the cavern managed to claim an open water diver last year. Again, stay out. Temp is 68.
Accomodations in Ponce de Leon aren't exactly five star. The Springs Inn on 90 is a cleaned up early 40's motel - you have to make the decision whether you want the bathroom door opened or closed if you're gonna sit, 'cause once you do it won't clear your knees. But it is cheap. You can get a beer and some decent food at Mom's place on 90 on the west side of town. There's another motel just south of I10 whose name escapes me. Highly average.
Rick
 
Rick...Is there anywhere to get out of the cold at Vortex? Maybe a heated shower/changing room? I'm headed there next Saturday and maybe Sunday. Depending on sea conditions we may dive Panama City, Sunday.
 
Looks like the weather could be nasty, Warhammer - rain, wind. Gulf is running about 67 on the surface, colder below. At Vortex there is a large classroom where you can get out of the weather. Also the bathrooms/changing rooms are nice, and the dive shop itself is pretty big. I've never been to Vortex when the OAT was cold, so don't know about whether any of these spaces are heated, but I expect the shop and the classroom must be.
Have fun...
Rick
 
Ditto on the 'Diving Guide to Underwater Florida' book. I don't plan a trip to Florida without it!

 
That's next weekend (10th & 11th) vs this weekend. I talked to the shop today and they said the trip was a go, regardless of conditions. Question is will Panama City be a go. Like you said, he said PC was nasty right now. They're taking an OW class down for their checkout dives. I figure what the hell, if they can take it, so can I. It's gotta beat the stock tank and if I don't wet soon, I'll explode!
 
Thanks for all of your help.

Herman, the book is on order from Amazon.com.

Rick, thanks for the info on The Springs, and don't worry about little o'l me going into an environment that I am not trained for...Just not worth dying for.

See you all under H2O!

SCUBA COYOTE
 
Vortex, Cypress and Morrison are all very close to each other. A little to the East is Merritt's Mill Pond, it is mentioned in the book, but I don't know about the diving there. I saw someone mention Wakulla Springs. Diving is not allowed in the Spring its selves as it is a state park and it is not allowed. I hope the Gulf is cooprates and is calm enough (so much more to see) I was planning on going out of Mexico Beach(just west of PC) this weekend, but it doesn't look good.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/
https://xf2.scubaboard.com/community/forums/cave-diving.45/

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