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#238
Vortex Springs, Ponce De leon FLA.
SunkenSailor - 11/03/2015 4:19 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 11

I live in middle TN so it’s a 7 hour drive, is it worth it. I’m not cave certified. Your thoughts appreciated.
#1053
sandman2053 - 11/03/2015 7:27 PM
Not for just the one place. It’s not very big and not much to see if your not able to cave. I would however recommend Paradise springs in Ocala and a trip to the jetties at St Andrews in Panama City beach at high slack tide.
Devils den is pretty cool to, just bring a light.
#413
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searly28 - 11/04/2015 6:40 AM
If you go to Vortex, it is only about 12 miles south to Morrison Springs, which I like a lot better, and it’s free. No sign in at Morrison. Morrison has the caverns and caves, and I think the caverns are much better. Better facility all around. Bath house, covered pavilion, beach, board walk to a dive platform. Anyway, you could do both springs, which would make the trip more worth while.

Lots of rain will affect the visibility of the springs.
#413
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searly28 - 11/04/2015 6:43 AM
BTW, if you go to Morrison and do go into the caverns, the eels are pretty cool there. Lots of eels, big catfish, etc, but mostly in the cavern.
#4355
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caves4me - 11/05/2015 4:35 AM
I recently heard Morrison is flooded due to all the rain, Vortex never floods, so it’s clear. I highly recommend you seek training for any overhead environment it makes things safer and more enjoyable.
#413
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searly28 - 11/05/2015 6:54 AM
Can’t speak to the visibility at Morrison, now, but dove there 10 days ago and was great. No problems. They may have gotten a lot of rain from the recent storms passing through.
#4355
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caves4me - 11/08/2015 7:36 PM
A lot of divers showed up a Vortex yesterday, due to Morrison being flooded.
#1376
RockRat2008 - 11/19/2015 9:29 AM
I almost never make the trip from Nashville to Vortex just to dive Vortex; Usually it also involves hitting Morrison Springs and then bouncing down to Panama City for a couple of boat dives as well.

Vortex is great if you’re looking to spend a lot of time underwater relaxing due to the shallow depths. If you’re not penetrating the cave then you’re looking ~40 feet max depth with most of it being more shallow than that so I can easily stay down 75-90 minutes on a single tank.
#238
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SunkenSailor - 11/19/2015 4:52 PM
Thanks to all! Excellent information. I hope to have time to get down there and check it out.
#2970
SaintsReturn - 11/22/2015 11:25 AM
The group of comments pretty much sums it up. I would recommend the trip, but I try to never turn down a dive at a new place. One good thing about Morrison and Vortex is you are also within close proximity to Destin, PCB and Pensacola, all of which have great diving opportunities.
#4355
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caves4me - 11/24/2015 5:29 AM
Morrison is still flooded.youtube.com/watch?v=sdWdxeWFTJY
#413
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searly28 - 11/24/2015 6:45 AM
That is definitely flooded! Wow.