Diving Florida caves

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Looks like a awesome cave how do you get to hire a canoe and where is the entrance to the cave is it far from where they put the canoe in ?
Definitely want to do this cave I think the problem would be how to find these cave sites I mean 1st time over at Florida will have a car throw!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Looks like a awesome cave how do you get to hire a canoe and where is the entrance to the cave is it far from where they put the canoe in ?
Definitely want to do this cave I think the problem would be how to find these cave sites I mean 1st time over that way Florida!


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You can rent a canoe from Florida Caverns State Park. It is probably a 45 minute to hour paddle. Phillip and Patrick did this and found the cave. They are from Mexico and the Dominican Republic so definitely not familiar with the area. Personally if I were you I would contact Rob Neto at Chipola River Divers. He and I surveyed Bozel. He did way more surveying than I did and he probably knows the cave better than anyone. We more than doubled the size of Bozel and found some really cool areas. He has a large boat that can carry a couple of divers and enough tanks to do 2 dives. Bozel is highly dependent on the river levels. We found a sinkhole about 1/2 way back in the cave that I believe is the source of most of the river water intrusion. I have seen Bozel blow out for 6 months at a time if we are getting a lot of rain. He also has a 24/7 self serve fill station similar to what Wayne does.

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

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You can rent a canoe when you enter the park. Bozell can be a challenge to get to due to fallen trees. It's maybe 20 minutes or so from the ramp.

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Sounds like most dive sites you need a DPV to get to the good stuff

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The caves you are wanting to do on your list you will find great dives without needing a DPV, plus you will find ease of access which will allow you to do multiple dives in a day, hence you have the chance to check out side passages.

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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

The caves you are wanting to do on your list you will find great dives without needing a DPV, plus you will find ease of access which will allow you to do multiple dives in a day, hence you have the chance to check out side passages.

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Would we need a guild like Mexico or can dive without one?


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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Would we need a guild like Mexico or can dive without one?


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No. There are a few sites requiring a guide like Diepolder, Alachua...,but they tend to be deep. If these are sites you want to do to, then setting up a guide in advance is a good idea. You can Google these sites and find requirements and a list of guides, or post a request for information on CDF. I would just plan on tank rental since you may not be the only ones post-DEMA coming for diving, and then the rest of the places are load up and go dive.

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Would we need a guild like Mexico or can dive without one?


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You don't need a guide in Mx either if you use a good shop with good staff. A good shop would love to guide you, but they'd also prefer to give you hints and draw maps and directions while they teach their classes (which make them better money in the long term).

Protec and Xibalba will both do that. I've never used Xibablba but Robbie's been really cool with drawing extensive maps for us. Protec will do anything they can to make sure you have a good trip. And they're more professional than any dive shop I've used in the US.

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Originally Posted by trimixdiver

Would we need a guild like Mexico or can dive without one?

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Something that may be helpful is finding a local FL cave diver to show you the area, the caves, and do a few fun dives with you. I'm certain there is someone on here that would enjoy doing that. Not necessarily a guide like MX, just a buddy that's willing to show you guys around some for a day or so.

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Originally Posted by rddvet

You don't need a guide in Mx either if you use a good shop with good staff. A good shop would love to guide you, but they'd also prefer to give you hints and draw maps and directions while they teach their classes (which make them better money in the long term).

Protec and Xibalba will both do that. I've never used Xibablba but Robbie's been really cool with drawing extensive maps for us. Protec will do anything they can to make sure you have a good trip. And they're more professional than any dive shop I've used in the US.

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We will be using Under the Jungle for Mexico trip.


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Originally Posted by Sh0use

Something that may be helpful is finding a local FL cave diver to show you the area, the caves, and do a few fun dives with you. I'm certain there is someone on here that would enjoy doing that. Not necessarily a guide like MX, just a buddy that's willing to show you guys around some for a day or so.

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That's a great idea!
I'm hoping To catch up with Ken but if someone else has time would be great date there would be a week before DEMA..


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