River Caves

[IowaCaveDiver]

So you've seen the post about the inflatable boat and motor... etc... we are ready to open up some new dives. What is the best resource for locating river caves in NFL? We are sidemount divers and willing to explore/checkout anything on the map. Suggestions?

-Matt

[Kelly Jessop]

So you've seen the post about the inflatable boat and motor... etc... we are ready to open up some new dives. What is the best resource for locating river caves in NFL? We are sidemount divers and willing to explore/checkout anything on the map. Suggestions?

-Matt

There are a lot of river caves,but there are quite a few that can get you in trouble in a hurry. My best suggestion is talk to people who spend a lot of time in river caves,and get an idea of what to anticipate,and what may be ideal. There are some river caves that have old twisted 18 that breaks easily,some have multiple lines that go in silt mounds,which can cause you to get off on the wrong line easily.

[IowaCaveDiver]

good point... anybody suggest any that are better than others?

-Matt

[Kelly Jessop]

good point... anybody suggest any that are better than others?

-Matt

Have you done Lafayette Blue? It gives you a good idea of what to expect since viz is 10-20ft,but I have cleaned up most of the lines,so it is safer.

[WEPIV]

John Spann and I dove Gator Hole Friday in the Santa Fe River at the highway 27 boat ramp as you are leaving High Springs headed towards Ft. White.
I posted a report here: http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...=183&region=FL
Had we not been there before a number of times we most certainly would not have dove it that day as the vis was around five feet with silt everywhere.
(It was a little difficult even finding the cave entrance and then when we did we had to poke around until we found the right side wall which we knew would eventually lead to the main line.)
We thought this kind of low vis "spooky" dive was appropriate for Friday the 13th and we enjoyed it once we got use to the conditions. Obviously we never left the line nor lost sight of each other.
And although the vis is sometimes better than this, this will give you an idea of what a river cave is usually like.

[rchrds]

pshaw! crappy vis, whatever. put the boat in and drive up and down the rivers. you will find some springs, and it will be fun. That is what it is all about. With the boat, cruising the river is almost as much fun as diving every little hole you find. Besides- you never know if you will find something new- there is always that possibility! Welcome to real exploration.

Jason

P.S. gator hole completely rocks. There is so much cave there it is silly. Particularly when the grass builds up enough to break the line! ha.

[RN]

Matt, you probably won't find anyone willing to share information like you're looking for in the Internet. We're pretty protective of our river caves. I do share information, but only after I have dived with someone a few times and they have earned my trust. The people I know that do this are the same way. If you want to dive these caves, other than what Jason suggested, you need to spend time with us.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Either gain the trust of those who are diving them, or do the dirty work and find them yourself. I don't think anyone was spoonfed these locations There are resources available to you... but they won't be diver specific and you'll likely run into lots of dead ends.

Don't even bother if the trip doesn't interest you. Getting there is half the fun.

[rchrds]

Ha- you can dive with me all month long and I wont give you locations. I may take you there myself- but that would be it- The only way most river rats give out locations is one for one- you provide a new one, and we'll give you an old one we know about. Other than that- you pretty much have to do your own research- in the course of finding these river caves, you will run into the rest of the river rats, (they'll come to you, if you have any talent at it) and you will begin to understand why locations for non-training caves don't get published on the internet.

Jason

[Tegg]

I must agree with Jason and the others that have said it...

Getting there is half the fun. Sometimes it is WAY better to do your own research using topo maps, articles, and information from several sources to go and "discover" caves yourself.

Just remember there are MANY rivers in Florida... Some of the best cavedives are on rivers that many of the "training" caves do not flow to...