An Important Message from my friend in Cozumel

[Bill Rotella]

"Hello Bill.. Ineed a big favor, please can you add in the forum that we are
ok ?
Cozumel should start fully running after Nov 20, this includes all the
services for tourism, open water diving and hotels.
Today i visit all the caves in Cozumel and all are fine and ready to be
dive, no damage at all. we open the paths yesterday and today so finally we
are full ready to operate the cavew diving activity on the island.

Thanks a lot and we keep in touch.

German Yañez
Yucatech Expeditions
Ph. + (987) 872 56 59
www.yucatech.net"

[Kelly Jessop]

Thanks Bill You got PM

[Mart]

I was supposed to fly to Cancun today, I heard from several friends living in Playa and Puerto Aventuras everything is more or less back to normal.
Only problem: a friend of mine who I was supposed to meet for a course was not able to fly from Austria, so we meet in Florida next week instead.
I am sorry, because I allways look forward to divin in Mexico and meeting old friends, but on the other hand this will be my first time diving Florida caves and I am looking forward to this.

ciao, mart

[Gary]

I am sorry, because I allways look forward to divin in Mexico and meeting old friends, but on the other hand this will be my first time diving Florida caves and I am looking forward to this.

Florida caves are nice too - just not as easy as Mexico. Deeper, colder, more flow. The nice places a fewer and farther. And of course the caves themselves don't have speliothems so you've got to get an appriciation for the local formations (varieties of slit, clay rock and goethite). I'm afriad very few places in Florida come anywhere close to the vizibilty of any of theMexican caves.

On the plus side the caves are lined much more reasonably. Lines lead from the entrances IN not from going in random directions and short spurts radiating from the cavern line.

Now if only we didn't have the front 1000' of every cave torn up by multitudes of incompetent divers.

[Mart]

OK, I will bring my drysuit (would do this anyway, now I have to dive 104s).
Current and cold is worse here compared to Florida I guess
Any caves I should not miss?

ciao, mart

[Gary]

Any caves I should not miss?

Depends on your skill and comfort levels.

Peacock Springs is among the easiest and most Mexico-like diving - 7 entrances each worth diving.
Ginnie Springs / Devil's - public one of the most dove caves anywhere. Moderate flow clear vis
Jackson Blue + "Hole in the Wall" and "Twin"
Madison Blue (if you can get in)
Cow (but you have to be an NSS/CDS member)

If you hit all those start branching out - but there is enough there to keep you coved for a week or two.

"Abe Davis" 100 dives or equiv and/or Trimix:
Alachua (guided) if clear
Thunder Hole (short, easy, guide)
Diepolder (guided)
Eagles Nest (guide)

[Cindy]

If he has 100 dives don't forget Hart! Cindy

[Mart]

Sounds like I will have to come back sometime, more dives than I can handle in 10 days!
I really hate this, until now I only had to visit Mexico twice a year, now it sounds like I will have to schedule Florida in as well.
Have been reading some about Eagles Nest, sounds like fun! But not for the group I will dive with.
Besides, my main goal is to finish my IEC, so I guess I will have to skip most of the really nice dives.

ciao, mart

[Mart]

If he has 100 dives don't forget Hart! Cindy

Cindy, it sounds like you made a nice effort at Hart.
Any chance you are one of the guides?

mart

[Cindy]

I am. Also see www.hartspringsguide.com. We got em in all shapes and sizes! Cindy