Best location for solo diving and snorkeling?

I have a weekend trip to Ginnie Springs planned for the weekend of June 5th-7th. I was wanting to go there again because my four year old son just learned to snorkel, and I liked the shallow area around the devil's system. I also liked how there was a lot for the family to do while my buddy and I were in the cave system. I just got the dreaded phone call that my buddy can no longer make it, so now I'm trying to find a location that allows solo diving and would have enough to entertain the family (or at least a good place in the shade while they wait on me), as well as give my son something to look at while snorkeling. Any advice on where to go? Thanks in advance.

Solo diving is permitted at Ginnie, have at it and enjoy.

I have been reading that it wasn't allowed anymore and that they were turning people down for it. Is that not the case?

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Originally Posted by scoutlover

I have been reading that it wasn't allowed anymore and that they were turning people down for it. Is that not the case?

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Where did you read that? Solo diving had never been allowed at ginnie, but they don't monitor it. I think that's their way of limiting liability

What level of diving are you planning? I don't think its too hard to round up a dive buddy with a little effort.

One of my favorite quotes that I often relayed to scouts:

"Swimming with a buddy reduces your chances of being eaten by roughly 50%...."

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Originally Posted by jj1987

Where did you read that? Solo diving had never been allowed at ginnie, but they don't monitor it. I think that's their way of limiting liability

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I searched through some old threads on this board as well as the cave diving section of Scubaboard.

As for level, I'm Full Cave but if solo I would really scale it back to mostly swimming around the basin with my son as he snorkels, and slight penetration and staying on the gold line. Maybe going in the Eye and out the Ear and back.

I was told by staff that solo is allowed only if you are full cave. That may have changed, but it was less than a year ago.

I'd reckon on a busy weekend or typical weekday evening a decent proportion of divers at Ginnie are solo.

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Originally Posted by cmint

I was told by staff that solo is allowed only if you are full cave. That may have changed, but it was less than a year ago.

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Staff seems to be inconsistent at best. Ask Rose Meadows for the official rule.

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Originally Posted by jj1987

Where did you read that? Solo diving had never been allowed at ginnie, but they don't monitor it. I think that's their way of limiting liability

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This is correct. I worked there many many decades ago and if you look over the top of the "Original Front Door" ( campground side of the building ) you'll see a sign with the Ginnie Rules. If I remember right, rule # 8 says no solo diving and yes that does limit their liability ( somewhat )

A few months ago, I called Ginnie Springs to verify if I can do a solo dive at Devil's Ear basin at an apprentice cave level and they said no at my current level. Later that week, one of the Ginnie's guys that watch cave divers, confirmed the same. After I saw two different cave divers diving solo that day, he admitted they might allow full cave divers to go by themselves.

I arrived at Ginnie Thurs afternoon before CDS workshop. My buddies from up here could not make trip.
No buddies available at Ginnie (one offered, but they were doing long deco dive).
Not my intent to dive solo, but they ok'd & ended up renting set of doubles there, and going very short distance along gold line.
Worked out well, took my time, got the warm water gear dialed in (left drysuit, gloves, SS BP at home).
Found some local buddies in town that evening and went on to some nice dives at Peacock and Cow :smile:

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Originally Posted by jj1987

I think that's their way of limiting liability

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I'm guessing they have no interest in limiting their liability. If they did, they would make all divers aware that in order to cave dive you first have to leave their property.

Liability gone!

I talked to Rose about this a few months ago and was told full cave is OK to dive solo. OW divers NO. The reason I asked her was the one behind the counter taking my money wanted to know who my buddy was.


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There's always Little River. The kid could snorkel around the basin all day while you dive.

Run your mouth less and solo dive more.

Just a thought.

A quick search will turn up quite a few sites that "allow" solo diving.

Frankly, Id worry more about a kid solo swimming than an adult solo diving.

But either way, I am not concerned much.

Have fun and be safe,
Bob

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Originally Posted by floridabob

Run your mouth less and solo dive more.

Just a thought.

A quick search will turn up quite a few sites that "allow" solo diving.

Frankly, Id worry more about a kid solo swimming than an adult solo diving.

But either way, I am not concerned much.

Have fun and be safe,
Bob

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Wow. Such an informative response. I'm pretty sure the original post asked for more than just sites that allow solo diving. Also, a lengthy search has revealed conflicting answers for multiple locations, and most threads are several years old and policies change daily. There will be no solo swimming. There will be non-divers going to watch the children and the snorkeling will be done before and after the dives.

Just in case your interested, the "buddies" section on this forum is a great resource! I have met many people through this site to dive with as recent as last weekend. I have not had a bad experience thus far. Most have been more experienced than I and helped along the way to improve gear config, gas management etc...