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Finding the cave sites (as in the parks they are located in) is relatively easy, Google Maps can help you with that. Most of the tourist caves (meaning stuff that doesn't require GPS coordinates or help from the locals to find) are in state/county parks and readily accessible via car.
Only a few, like Telford or the stuff on the Millpond in Marianna, require a boat/swimming to access. The sites around High Springs/Branford are easy.
Whats the chances of getting to dive theses site on our own during the week...
Diving 5 day before DEMA?
Kelly is this the place :
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@30.7...1e3?authuser=0
Are these site on big lakes , do they all connect together ...just trying to understand the size of Florida.
That is the place, look on your map for Blue Springs park, this is termed Jackson Blue or JB by cave divers. The Mill pond is an overgrown spring run that was formed by damming the water before it reached the Chipola river. The head spring is JB, but there are multiple other springs that discharge into this pond, Hole in the Wall and Twin being the most popular. JB can be reached by vehicle,but the other caves will need a boat rental, with Cave Adventurers having several pontoon boats already on the Mill pond for rental. Just note, it is a pretty long drive from Orlando where DEMA is being held to Marianna,close to 4 1/2 hours,but should be more scenic than the Nullabor.Quote:
Originally Posted by trimixdiver
When I clicked on that link Marianna pooped up. There are 3 main caves on Merritt's Millpond there. Jackson Blue is in a county park and you can drive up to it after checking in at Cave Adventurers down the road. Twin Cave and Hole in the Wall are just downstream and take a boat to access them. They are not connected. The other caves you mentioned are around the High Springs and Luraville area. That is about a 3.5 - 4 hour drive from Marianna.
While hiring a guide certainly is not necessary for Florida or Mexico, it can help to enhance your trip. If there are several people, the cost is quite low. Full disclosure: I am a local guide/instructor in the high springs area with 23 years experience diving caves. Obviously I would like you to hire me, but if you decide to go on your own, I'd be more than happy to meet up with you once here and help out. I have maps to most of the caves here and can point you in the right direction.
Safe Diving,
Ted McCoy
Just finished a week of guided dives with Natalie and Vincent at Under the Jungle. Eat a good breakfast and get ready for some spectacular dives with very experienced and competent divers. Did some awesome scooter dives, swam with stages all over the place, remote sites I never would have found on my own. I have never seen better divers in the water or more friendly and accommodating staff. Rigid safety standards...just what you should expect. Excellent choice! Tom O'ConnorQuote:
Originally Posted by trimixdiver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavekrazi
They're one of the other ones I've heard nothing but good things about. I've never had any personal experience with them though.
I'll vouch for Ted as a guide. I've done some cool dives with him.
I can second that; you can't go wrong with hiring Ted as a guide. He's a hell of a lot of fun to dive with and has tons of experience in all the local caves. If you meet the prerequisites to dive diepolder, you should definitely try to get over there (Ted is a guide there).Quote:
Originally Posted by kensuf
I hate it when that happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by bamafan