Caverns OK for OW CCR Divers

[Art Greenberg]

My wife and I just moved from New Jersey to the Gainesville area. We're finally getting sufficiently settled to begin doing some diving. We are CCR divers, but as yet have no cavern or cave certification. I realize that, to many, cavern dives on CCR might seem silly, but at least its a place to get wet.

So the question. What caverns near enough to Gainesville to be considered a day trip and worth the drive are open to us?

We are also interested in non-overhead diving opportunities, of course.

Thanks.

--
Art

[Walter Pickel]

Ginnie Cavern, Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Paradise Spring

http://www.caveatlas.com

[Jim Wyatt]

I suggest Troy Springs State park.

[Greenwood_60]

Manatee Springs (Catfish Hotel) and Peacock Springs (Orange Grove) are also nice, but much nicer if you have a cavern cert and can carry a light.

[Art Greenberg]

Manatee Springs (Catfish Hotel) and Peacock Springs (Orange Grove) are also nice, but much nicer if you have a cavern cert and can carry a light.

Ah, yes. That makes me wonder about restrictions such as this. Do all of the state parks carry a "no lights" restriction for non-cave certified divers?

[Ken Hill]

Ah, yes. That makes me wonder about restrictions such as this. Do all of the state parks carry a "no lights" restriction for non-cave certified divers?

Jim Wyatt is absolutely right in suggesting Troy Springs. You cannot bring lights there nor should you venture into any area where lights are required.

[billyf]

yes

OW are not allowed to carry lights, and some there not allowed to dive at all, such as Peacock Springs P1

[billyf]

notice the Sign
This is Catfish at Manatee Springs State Park

[Art Greenberg]

Ginnie Cavern, Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Paradise Spring

http://www.caveatlas.com

Thanks Walter, that's a great resource.

FWIW, Devil's Den does not permit rebreathers.

--
Art

[Greenwood_60]

Ah, yes. That makes me wonder about restrictions such as this. Do all of the state parks carry a "no lights" restriction for non-cave certified divers?

Seems to be if you have to pay good money to dive, they let OW divers bring lights. State parks generally don't, but you only need a cavern cert to bring a light. There are no restrictions on bringing a light in to the head spring at Manatee Springs (Manatee Spring itself), but I challenge you to get far enough in to that cave to even need one.

Here is how I would rank them based on how much I enjoyed them following OW rules (lights where allowed) and taking in to account the price.
Great:
Paradise Spring ($30)
Ginnie Cavern (w/light), Devil's eye, ear, and Little Devil (w/o light) ($30)
Devil's Den ($30)

Good:
Orange Grove ($4)
Troy Springs ($4)
Little River (FREE, nice but doesn't take long to explore the limits of the cavern and get bored)

meh:
Catfish Hotel ($6?)
Blue Grotto ($30)

Orange Grove is probably my favorite cavern on the list, but requires a light to really get to see it.

Even if you never plan to get your cave, do cavern. Opens up some really cool sites (i.e. cavern at Peacock I, Lower Orange Grove cavern zone w/lights, Devil's Ear/Eye caverns with lights), with the added benefit of being safer and more competent.

FWIW, Devil's Den does not permit rebreathers.

Where did you get this information? I recently ran in to a diver on a breather in Devil's Den. The only restriction I know of is no doubles, and I am pretty sure it's due to the weight more than anything. I could see them saying "no side-mount", but I can't understand no rebreathers.