Cavern Suggestions

[scuba_shark_fart]

I don't know much about Vortex, so please excuse my ignorance, but is Vortex mainly a cavern/cave system? Since we're cavern certified, and not cave yet, we're limited to only cavern during the day.

(Although the night does sound appealing...)

[rddvet]

madison and orange grove have nice caverns

Madison Blue is definitely on my list. We've done orange grove.

Morrison is a nice cavern and you can practice running lines in there without silting it out. It's huge and you will have fun. You can hit vortex once you are in the area. quite a few open water divers there and you have to pay to get in. If you guys have time friday you can do a dive in the afternoon and use the opportunity to to a night dive at vortex and get tanks filled for the saturday trip to morrison. other than that the millpond is the only other place around there that I could think off.

I've thought about running over to Vortex after Morrison. I'm on the fence on Vortex. Did it years ago and peered into the cavern. Cost and congestion are the two things that put me off there.

there are many good caverns to practice in: Even Little River, which BTW was one of my favs, because it forces you to develop your skills in a high flow situation. Some others: Ginnie Ball room of course, which is great. Devils Den & the Iche -Jug hole are cool. The Jug is actually my all time fav cavern to learn in. Manatee Springs {Catfish} is also a high flow cave/cavern to to develop your skills in. Here is a listing of all the springs & parks in Florida that are diva-able:
http://www.caveatlas.com/cave_systems.asp?co=
Have fun & be safe
^)^
je

Done Ginnie. It was great. And have a scheduled trip to Manatee. I can't wait. After seeing those pics from Jug on here, it's been added to my list. Sounds like a little work to get there though

Paradise Springs has a HUGE Cavern

Being from the Tampa area, Paradise is one of the closest caverns to us. It's the perfect place for training for sure. Till it gets silted out by OW divers walking on the bottom.

I wouldn't rule out Morrison because of those grumpy divers. I'd definitely choose Morrison over Vortex (not really that fantastic of a dive to justify the price in my opinion; also I don't know if there is much of a cavern or not - I believe the cave system is gated off at some point and I'm not sure what level of overhead training will get you the key to unlock it). There's a sea wall off to the right of the pavilion at Morrison (if you're facing the spring) that we ended up using to don our gear; simple and effective.

I also recommend JB on Saturday (outstanding cavern zone and crystal clear/bright), and Madison Blue whenever. If you go to Madison, walk over and take a peek at Martz sink. That is something to see!

Right now, I'd say that Morrison, JB, and Ginnie (Ginnie IS worth the $30 fee) springs will be your clearest/brightest/best cavern practice spots. Go back to Peacock in the winter when it clears up a bit.

(My buddies and I are cavern now; feel free to holler for some Peacock Springs diving any time.)

Jackson Blue is a definite for sure. Morrison and Madison are next on my list I think. I'll add you as a contact and PM you next time we head up that way.

I was mostly focusing on sites a little further away from our home turf. Anything in the panhandle is jsut far away from tampa to make it not the greatest for a one day overnight trip. I was thinking futher up the panhandle because I don't know the next time I'll get two days off in a row to make the trip easy.

Thanks for the suggetions. Keep em coming. The more time I can put in now, the better the cave transition hopefully will be.

[rddvet]

there are many good caverns to practice in: Even Little River, which BTW was one of my favs, because it forces you to develop your skills in a high flow situation. Some others: Ginnie Ball room of course, which is great. Devils Den & the Iche -Jug hole are cool. The Jug is actually my all time fav cavern to learn in. Manatee Springs {Catfish} is also a high flow cave/cavern to to develop your skills in. Here is a listing of all the springs & parks in Florida that are diva-able:
http://www.caveatlas.com/cave_systems.asp?co=
Have fun & be safe
^)^
je

Thanks for that link. I check cave atlas all the time, but I guess I missed it broken down with all sites in a line like that. Makes it easier.

[huxley]

vortex has a open water pool and a cavern area, hard to say where OW and cavern really separates. you can go the tunnel a few feet as long as you see natural light. maybe youtube has some videos so you see if it is worth it.

Other than that I was talking about the specific area, there are plenty of nice caverns all over the place.

[scuba_shark_fart]

vortex has a open water pool and a cavern area, hard to say where OW and cavern really separates. you can go the tunnel a few feet as long as you see natural light. maybe youtube has some videos so you see if it is worth it.

Other than that I was talking about the specific area, there are plenty of nice caverns all over the place.

awesome. Thanks for the info!!

[sandy]

If you are planning something for 10-28 thru 10-30, consider REACT at Cave Excursions in Luraville. See www.caveexcursions.com. Sounds like you have a few dives at WSPSSP but you can also dive Madison(45 minutes) and Little River(30+ minutes). REACT is a fun time and would give you a chance to meet other divers.

If you are not a member already, consider membership to the NACD($35), NSSCDS($44), and the North Florida Springs Alliance($15). Membership gets you a periodic paper or electronic magazine/bulletin and a chance to participate in various workshops and seminars. Also, the dues help to support these organizations which ultimately helps the caves and caverns we enjoy. Also, if you are a member of the NSSCDS, you can do a cavern dive in Downstream Cow.(Someone correct me if i am wrong)

Another dive if you rent a boat from Edd is Shangri La. It is a very small cavern maybe 25 feet deep but would be a good place to practice reel skills. I do not think you can silt out this cavern.

[JerseyJersey]

Also, if you are a member of the NSSCDS, you can do a cavern dive in Downstream Cow....

Must be full cave unless with an instructor.

Although there is a cave monster IN Telford, it does have a small cavern area.... interesting ....

[SuPrBuGmAn]

You're cheating yourself by not visiting Morrison!

[Benderr]

My favorites so far in the Panhandle:

Morrison
Cypress (requires a 30 min canoe trip, but it's worth it)
Jackson Blue

Closer to you:

Paradise
Devil's Ear
*censored*
Shallow entrance to Orange Grove


I wouldn't skip Morrison. It's a beautiful cavern, and if you like big rooms, it's a can't miss.

[kensuf]

Blue Springs in Deland.