Best place to dive to avoid crowds on holiday weekends?

[Greenwood_60]

Giselle and I are making our first post-cert diving trip. Of course we had to pick probably the busiest outdoors weekend of the year. So my question is what are the best places to dive to avoid crowds on holiday weekends? I assume Peacock will be full of divers, but little else (as always?). I also assume LR and Ginnie will be retarded.

The plan is to hit the High Springs/Luraville areas, but that's mainly based on caves we know, and the distance from the Tampa Bay area.

We are intro in doubles certified.

Thanks!

[FW]

If it has clear water, it will draw a crowd on a holiday weekend.

[RN]

No matter where you go, you will encounter crowds. Weekend are bad enough. Holiday weekends are terrible. Unless I'm teaching (which I happen to be this weekend ), I just hole up in my house.

[Greenwood_60]

So where will the smallest, most peaceful, most respectful crowds be? Doesn't sound like Florida, huh?

[RN]

Definitely not anywhere in the south, or west, or north, or east.

Do you have a swimming pool in your backyard?

[TONY CHANEY]

So where will the smallest, most peaceful, most respectful crowds be? Doesn't sound like Florida, huh?

I can truly say that I have never seen Orange Grove very crowded and a very fun dive.

[sskasser]

State Parks are good for holiday weekends, due to "no alcohol rules" typically being enforced. Peacock will be busy, but nothing on the scale of wildness at LR or Ginnie, since it attracts mostly cave divers instead of the party crowd. It's also not as swimmer friendly as the more easily swimmer-accessible Madison or Troy, which is a plus for divers.

Take your time, bring your patience (and sunscreen and bug spray), and remember, you're getting to experience something few ever will...so enjoy!!! It can be as pleasant as you decide Congratulations, and have great "first dives"!!!

[Greenwood_60]

I can truly say that I have never seen Orange Grove very crowded and a very fun dive.

It is looking like OG will be our first stop. I want to check out Lower OG to 6ths, then recalculate and run the OG line to 6ths. Lower OG had the best vis of the entire place last time we were there. Considering the depth, we won't have long or get far in Lower OG (depth limit, no deco).

State Parks are good for holiday weekends, due to "no alcohol rules" typically being enforced. Peacock will be busy, but nothing on the scale of wildness at LR or Ginnie, since it attracts mostly cave divers instead of the party crowd. It's also not as swimmer friendly as the more easily swimmer-accessible Madison or Troy, which is a plus for divers.

Anything else on the same order as PSSP?

Take your time, bring your patience (and sunscreen and bug spray), and remember, you're getting to experience something few ever will...so enjoy!!! It can be as pleasant as you decide Congratulations, and have great "first dives"!!!

Bug spray is in my dive box... sunscreen and patience, not so much. I am more concerned with being the damn noob in everyone's way. I would still be perfectly happy to poke around the breakdown room, and the P1 cavern for a while.

[loquat149]

bring your patience (and sunscreen and bug spray)

... and ear beer.

[aainslie]

Downstream cow is in the same area. Nice little dive. It can take a while to find the line the first time but it's fun just wandering around with a reel. CDs membership required. Key at cathy's