Safe Intro Caves

[alias]

Hi

I am new – to the forum and cave diving!

I am trying to figure out where I can cave dive because dive I want! I did my Intro in High Springs recently and I dive in doubles but I am (very) out of state. However, we have next trip booked for the end of Jan, and are planning to stay in High Spring again. I am scheming on where I could safely dive and practice skills.

I am sure these things have been mentioned here and there but maybe some of you would not mind pitching in and offering opinions which sites you think are good for Intro divers, either alone or which ones would be good with a guide on first visit. (I am at 350 dives, but only whopping 9 cavern plus 9 cave dives). We are willing to travel around a bit during the week in the cave country but would rather get maximum in water time.

This far I have dived in Ginnie/Devil’s, Peacock 1 and Little River. I looked a bit what else might be available – what about Madison Blue Springs? Telford?

Thanks very much

[PerroneFord]

As a newer caver myself I would not suggest Madison. However, At Peacock, you could do Orange Grove. That is a very nice intro dive. You might also consider a drive over to Jackson Blue in Mariana. That is a VERY intro friendly cave dive, and very beautiful as well. I seem to remember the front of Little River being both beautiful and not overly tricky for a newer caver. You might look into that site as well.

I'm sure you'll get more opinions here soon.

[Serota]

First, I hope by "alone" that you are not contemplating solo diving in any cave or cavern. Solo diving is a decision that most of us address long after full cave training and many dives with buddies. If you need a buddy, post in that section of this forum and you will likely get several offers; including myself if you are interested.

Ginnie, Peacock 1 and Little R. are probably the best in the immediate High Springs area for a new diver. Madison Blue would also be ok, but is a bit further away. Telford is closed to diving.

Good luck.

Hi

I am new – to the forum and cave diving!

I am sure these things have been mentioned here and there but maybe some of you would not mind pitching in and offering opinions which sites you think are good for Intro divers, either alone or which ones would be good with a guide on first visit.

[icestac]

Just out of curiosity, why not Madison? I did plenty of intro dives there and still do dives there all the time on the way home from cave country. I've only dove JB a few times, but I don't think the flow is much different between them (i.e. neither one is a Peacock). I guess JB is bigger overall, but I would certainly not consider Madison small by any means.

Just my 02.

~Jeff

[alias]

First, I hope by "alone" that you are not contemplating solo diving in any cave or cavern. Solo diving is a decision that most of us address long after full cave training and many dives with buddies. If you need a buddy, post in that section of this forum and you will likely get several offers; including myself if you are interested.

Good luck.

Absolutely not meaning alone-alone. Meant 'alone' as in two Intro divers alone in their Intro-ness. Would certainly not mind hooking up with any groups that do not mind newbies tagging along and learning a little faster than stumbling on their own either!

Ok, so Telford is out. That would have been close-by. I thought that Jackson Blue was out for Intro too?? (Hard to read some of these sites because they do not all state from what year they are - or some have 5 year old info...) What is tricky with Madison?

I am sure we'd be quite happy diving same systems for whole week even but it would be nice to have options, especially in case there are any blowouts.

[Serota]

I thought that was what you meant, just wanted to be sure.

Absolutely not meaning alone-alone. Meant 'alone' as in two Intro divers alone in their Intro-ness.

[JDostal]

I would think Jackson Blue would be a great Intro dive. I've seen people getting trained in there?

Nice big cave, easy mainline, lots of rock as opposed to mud/silt.

[Line Squirrel]

Alias - a couple of good posts. If you find you and your buddy(ies) want to tavel to Peacock and do a couple dives within your cert level I would be happy to show you around.

PM me and I will give you contact info.

[chimie007]

Ok, so Telford is out.

Let's be clear. Telford is not closed. Access to the land surrounding the springs is forbidden but river access is legal and tolerated.

That being said, I personally don't consider Telford an intro cave. Apprentice/Full would be my recommendation. Low clearance with silt bottom. Plus, there is a gap after a few 100s feet. A cave better left for when you get more experience and training.

[skip]

as intro, and limited to thirds of one tank, or sixths of doubles (can do that with some agencies and permission i think), then my intro list is (in order of preference):

1. Peacock - both the pothole route and the peanut restriction route
2. Orange Grove - The more shallow route
3. Ginnie Spring - Ear and Eye, try one then the other
4. Little River - gets deep quick
5. Madison
6. JB

The last two are last just cause they are further away from the others. Madison Blue Spring would be fine for intro - I did it with an intro class (joined in with instructor permission). Never dove JB, but it is 3-4 hours from cave country and that's one way. So to dive there takes a lot of extra time and money that could be better spent diving in Peacock!

-skip