Road trip

[diveworx]

I am trying to plan a cross country road trip and need some help. Want to plan on wreck and cave diving while in Fl panhandle area and was hoping you guys can help me with information on planning the best wrecks and caves to dive in my limited time in Fl. I would like to keep dives in the 150 or less area, simply for logistical reasons. Was also wondering if there are must do dives in the Georgia area too?

[oms121]

I am trying to plan a cross country road trip and need some help. Want to plan on wreck and cave diving while in Fl panhandle area and was hoping you guys can help me with information on planning the best wrecks and caves to dive in my limited time in Fl. I would like to keep dives in the 150 or less area, simply for logistical reasons. Was also wondering if there are must do dives in the Georgia area too?

Driving West to East, suggest you consider:
Oriskany in Pensacola. Big boat.
Jackson Blue Springs, Marianna. Big Cave.
If you meet the qualifications, any of the caves around Tallahassee, particularly Indian.

[diveworx]

The Mighty O is a must!! Jackson Blue on the map looks perfect, what's the cave like? Indian same thing. What other caves are in that area that are highly recommended? Would like cave s that are very unique. How about wrecks, what are must dive wrecks in that area?

[oms121]

The Mighty O is a must!! Jackson Blue on the map looks perfect, what's the cave like? Indian same thing. What other caves are in that area that are highly recommended? Would like cave s that are very unique. How about wrecks, what are must dive wrecks in that area?

I suggest you search the forum for dive/cave descriptions as you'll get a much broader perspective, but here's my 0.02 worth on JB and Indian:
JB = Depending on time of year and aquifer condition, low to raging flow, tho lately more moderate. Typically crystal clear, white limestone, large cavern zone, large (very wide and variably tall) main tunnel(s) and LOTS of side jumps and a lot of tunnels best done in SM. If you have a scooter and a stage, bring lots of clothespins

There are other caves in the JB spring run such as Hole in the Wall and Twin that are worth diving but are most easily reached with a rental pontoon boat.

Indian = Look at the registration requirements (Abe David, normoxic trimix, recent deep dives) before you get too excited. The cave has a large cavern that drop almost immediately to 140 section then upstream/downstream junction. Downstream opens up into a very large (ginormous) room and is a fairly short dive. I've not been too far upstream so have to leave that description to others.

I don't do much wreck diving, just did the Big O last summer. Scootered the entire boat - big boat! As gasdiver says, probably more reliable to do that in the summer. Check with the local dive operators about conditions in winter.

Good luck.

[Captain Bil]

The Empire Mica is a U Boat victim and to me it's a must dive. Might be kind of tough getting a boat out to her right now though. You can try some of the Panama City dive shops. I think there are one or two in the Port St Joe area as well.

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[Kelly Jessop]

The Empire Mica is a U Boat victim and to me it's a must dive. Might be kind of tough getting a boat out to her right now though. You can try some of the Panama City dive shops. I think there are one or two in the Port St Joe area as well.

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I would second your comment about the Mica-some of the best diving I have had in the Gulf is this time of year because viz can be awesome. Some of the PC shops that run big boats probably won't run since they will want a full boat,but someone like Eric Tomlinson would probably go. I usually don't get excited about Gulf trips,but this time of year I would.

[Benthic]

I'll third the recommendation for the Mica, and I can confirm that Eric will take you our there. Heather and I make the trip with him last summer. I don't have his contact info in front of me, but I can round it up if you need it.

Also, if you decide to to the Oriskany, I can point you toward operators here in Pensacola too.

Brian

[diveworx]

Looks like Missouri and Arkansas might be a possibility, anyone on the forum I could talk to about cave diving there?

[diverdarren]

Yes. by all means, if you are diving cross-country next fall, you should stop and dive in Missouri. We dive Cannonball Cave near Greenville, Missouri, year round, but it's best in the summer when Lake Wappapello(where the cave is) is warm enough for comfortable deco. There is also Roubideux Cave at Waynesville ,Missouri,where you must leave your cave card with the EMS dispatcher's office. Both of these caves can be dove to whatever depth you are prepared for,and if you put up a post for buddies, there are several of us here on the forum that live near both locations. If it's Arkansas that you are wanting to dive , I suggest you contact slim or deepairmike for info.

[FW]

Looks like Missouri and Arkansas might be a possibility, anyone on the forum I could talk to about cave diving there?

I will give you access to the Ozark forum.