Looking for open water dive site around High Springs

[rddvet]

Agree with the fills at paradise. Very slow fills and I've heard questionable quality. Not dangerous fills, just dont pp fill your tank afterwards.


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[bpcfire1]

In OG. You need cavern to safely go in the cavern but OW divers can dive there.

[gschaut]

I know it's a "bit" outside your search parameters, but Crystal River, FL is about 75 miles south of High Springs. In late April there will probably still be a few manatee in the Crystal River basin. It's not scuba, just snorkeling. But swimming with the manatee should be on every diver's bucket list.

I suggest Bird's Underwater as your contact if this is something that would interest you. Early morning (sunrise) is the best manatee encounters.

p.s.- full wet suit. Manatee swims can get cool FAST because you are not exercising!

[twaldo]

rainbow river drift dive is fun, manatee springs (and catfish hotel) are fun openwater dives when others might be flooded...

[kulas]

Once again, thank you, now I know where to plan a few open water dives and keep my better half happy.

[WEPIV]

Did an open water dive at Catfish today with an open water certified diver. Water levels were obviously higher than normal and the head spring was closed due to flooding. But, Catfish was great vis-wise and easy-in/easy-out. And not much flow either.
Had the place almost to ourselves as a small class was there.

[Kelly Jessop]

but open water divers go in ......, Madison Blue basin, and others all the time.

They haven't allowed OW diving in the basin since the Bruic's owned the place

[phil_p]

Kulas, I disagree strongly with the comment about bypassing Devil's Den. Devil's Den did a lot to pique my interest in cave diving 'back when (1996), and was what convinced my wife to get certified as well. There's much to see there if you take your time, including a couple of really neat swim-throughs, depths to 50' or so, and lots of fossils in the walls. I'd recommend doing what the woman who used to manage the shop-- sorry, I can't remember her name, but she taught cave diving and did sidemount before giving it up to become a nurse, maybe 12 years ago?-- first told us. Take one single and go slowly around the basin clockwise, then take a second and go slowly around the basin CCW. If you're patient and observant, there will easily be enough to see for at least two dives. Plus, the Den from the surface is as close as you can get to a cenote in the U.S.

[JCGoodwin]

Heading down with wife and daughter to dive in a week and we are going to Manatee to start, possibly the Rainbow River, Crystal River the manatee dives with Birds is incredible a must do for sure.
The Ballroom at Ginnie is really nice for OW divers but it will be a bit crowded for spring break.
If you plan your trip there wisely arrive early and on a mid week day you can minimize the traffic but keep your gear bundled up tight.
The place gets lively if you are accustomed to party going college age / teens then you are in good shape.

Never had trouble anywhere even when it was churning but I have not advertised or asked for it either!
I spent a week just spring hopping with my family a few years back only got one cave dive in but I had a blast and learned tons about cave country!
Enjoy sharing the beauty of the springs take time to walk around checking them out.
Jug is another great spring to check out but I do not think they allow OW divers there but I hear the tubing from the head spring is pretty fun not done it yet.
The Crystal River is worth the drive trust me, contact Bird's Dive center and book your trip arrive early it is a snorkel trip so travel light and prepare to be amazed.
One of the baby manatee's loved my son he or she followed him around like a puppy!
It was a experience that even three years ago my wife and kids still love to watch the video and talk about it.

JCG

[vicp]

Heading down with wife and daughter to dive in a week and we are going to Manatee to start,...

Manatee is now closed to diving also - just called them today.