How's the basin at Orange Grove? My wife and daughter were going to putz around in it while I dove the cave. Is it clear under the duckweed, or is it an algae blooming mess?
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How's the basin at Orange Grove? My wife and daughter were going to putz around in it while I dove the cave. Is it clear under the duckweed, or is it an algae blooming mess?
Check this out (click on Conditions): http://www.caveatlas.com/systems/system.asp?ID=116 - I try to update this site whenever I have useful info. Orange Grove has been bad in the basin lately and it looks like it hasn't started improving yet. We were there just a few weeks ago and it was <10' in open water.
Yep, it's actually getting worse (as of 9/11). Unless someone was there this weekend and can say it has MUCH improved, don't bother.
I went to Orange Grove just less than a month ago, and enjoyed it. Under the duck weed, it seemed to clear up quite well (especially with 6+ other divers in the water to blow bubbles), and in the cavern areas, the vis was fantastic.
Was there with SSF and it was pretty clear then, but went about 2 weeks later and the bloom had gotten somewhat worse.
As of 2 weeks ago it's completely covered in duckweed and green to 30'. But once you're in the cavern, even upper, it's beautifully clear.
Nevertheless, I spent a good amount of time in the basin and enjoyed it (not as much as the cavern of course, but nevertheless worth $4 and time with the family). Viz was probably about 15'. Kinda had a less tannic, less smelly Hudson Grotto vibe.