Is Ginnie Springs good diving?

[pilot fish]

I thought about driving down to Ginni Springs in April or May from Charlotte NC but wanted to get some feed back from other divers on their impression on the quality of diving there? Is it worth the trip? Has anyone stayed in the cottage there? Is there a Marriott close by?

 

[packman]

That depends on what you're able to dive. If you're cave trained, there is an immense cave network worth exploring. However, if you are just OW certified, you'll be limited to diving the river and Ballroom.

From what I understand, it's not that long of a drive from Charlotte. However, if you're not able to go into the caves, you may want to include other locations to your trip (like Crystal River) in addition to Ginnie.

 

[herman]

It's a been there, done that, got the Tshirt dive to me. The first time it's fun to look around the ballroom, then go to the Devils Eye and Ear for a couple of dives. After that, you have pretty much seen it. Unless you have cavern or cave certs you can not carry a light (or strobe) into the Devils side of Ginnie - and they have serious scuba police watching, it's OK and recommended in the Ballroom side. While in the area you might as well hit Blue Grotto and Devils Den. Beats the heck out of sitting around here dry in Feb but by May I would rather hit the local quarry. And FWIW, it's not cheap diving either, $30 entry fee.

 

[BabyDuck]

i've stayed in the cottage - it's nice, a room with 2 bunk beds (so 4 sleep spots), a room with 2 twins, and a room with a queen. i think 2 bathrooms, and a nice enough kitchen. a porch, and some drying racks. we filled it, and i remember the cost being cheap, but if it was just you or you & another couple or whatever, i couldn't say since i don't remember the actual money amount.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have been there and unless I went for my cave cert I have no desire to go back, Devil's Den or even Manatee Springs is much better for ow rec diving. I've also heard that Ginnie is now 40 to get in. THe Ballroom is ok but maybe it's just me. I like wreck diving and I know caves would be amazing but the wife says no way and so that's that. I did not like her hearing a NAUI tech CD say that in his opinion wrecks are far more dangerous but too late now! THere can be some interesting stuff in the basins if you are into critters. We saw turtles, lots of little fish, and a crawdad bigger than some lobsters I've seen in the grocry store's tank!

 

[pilot fish]

No, not cave trained, and don't want to be, so I would not be doing that part of it. Yeah, might look at another place to dive once I'm there, if I go. Are the mantees close by?

That depends on what you're able to dive. If you're cave trained, there is an immense cave network worth exploring. However, if you are just OW certified, you'll be limited to diving the river and Ballroom.

From what I understand, it's not that long of a drive from Charlotte. However, if you're not able to go into the caves, you may want to include other locations to your trip (like Crystal River) in addition to Ginnie.

 

[pilot fish]

Then you think it's ok for a one trip deal? Blue Grotto, Devil's Den? How close are they? I'll try an internet search

It's a been there, done that, got the Tshirt dive to me. The first time it's fun to look around the ballroom, then go to the Devils Eye and Ear for a couple of dives. After that, you have pretty much seen it. Unless you have cavern or cave certs you can not carry a light (or strobe) into the Devils side of Ginnie - and they have serious scuba police watching, it's OK and recommended in the Ballroom side. While in the area you might as well hit Blue Grotto and Devils Den. Beats the heck out of sitting around here dry in Feb but by May I would rather hit the local quarry. And FWIW, it's not cheap diving either, $30 entry fee.

 

[pilot fish]

It's $175 US a night, which seems OK, considering the cost of the Caribe and other destinations.

i've stayed in the cottage - it's nice, a room with 2 bunk beds (so 4 sleep spots), a room with 2 twins, and a room with a queen. i think 2 bathrooms, and a nice enough kitchen. a porch, and some drying racks. we filled it, and i remember the cost being cheap, but if it was just you or you & another couple or whatever, i couldn't say since i don't remember the actual money amount.

 

[pilot fish]

It's $12 to get in and $30 for a days diving, hope I have the correct? It would be my first experience diving fresh water so I might just like to see what that's all about. Do you think it's OK for a one time trip, or is it such a yawn that it's not worth a 7 1/2 drive?

I have been there and unless I went for my cave cert I have no desire to go back, Devil's Den or even Manatee Springs is much better for ow rec diving. I've also heard that Ginnie is now 40 to get in. THe Ballroom is ok but maybe it's just me. I like wreck diving and I know caves would be amazing but the wife says no way and so that's that. I did not like her hearing a NAUI tech CD say that in his opinion wrecks are far more dangerous but too late now! THere can be some interesting stuff in the basins if you are into critters. We saw turtles, lots of little fish, and a crawdad bigger than some lobsters I've seen in the grocry store's tank!

 

[pilot fish]

Thanks for your opinions and advice.