|
Palm Coast here. Might be up for something. Springs, shore or off shore charter work for me. Keep me in the loop.
|
|
|
Hi, I’m from Orlando, open water certified, also looking to do more spring and off-the-beach dives. For boats I prefer calm seas. Also wanting to go lobster diving (in the keys) when the regular (not mini) season starts. When are you looking to dive and, what location do you have in mind?
|
|
|
|
Long time dive buddy "TheMythicalCaveFill" and I are going to Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach this weekend for a shore dive if anyone would like to join. This is a salt water shore dive averaging 15’ and 25’ viz. Bottom time is usually 60 minutes or so, but very dependent on high tide (11:30am).
We have frequented BHB many times and would not mind showing anyone around. It’s great for all levels of experience. Even with calculating in gas for a 3+ hour drive, it’s still very reasonable compared to the cost of the dive resort springs. One big plus is there’s actually tropical fish and small reefs to look at!!!
|
|
|
Our plans to go to Paradise Springs look like they’re going to fall apart so if you’re interested you can buddy up with me and go to Blue Grotto in Williston, FL this Saturday.
Let me know if this is something you would like to do.
|
|
|
|
Ping. Did the thread die?
|
|
|
Sorry I have been tied up with work. Working 2 jobs sucks sometimes.
Xelracr96- I’m up for diving pretty much on the weekends as of right now, if i could make it down to palm beach I would love to but i can’t this weekend. I first got my fins wet down there on peanut island. I grew up down there, shore diving I know down there not so much up here in the gulf looking for someone that knows the area and can show me some spots.
Dmdave- what time are you going to blue grotto? I’ll know better come friday how that will work out.
|
|
|
|
Cool. We frequent the springs too, but are wanting to dip in the 85f+ water and not need a wetsuit. :)
2 things:
If we had an open seat in the car, would that change anything? Would be leaving Daytona around 6am.
If our plans change and not do BHB. Do we all want to get together at a spring maybe?
|
|
|
|
Trulyjonny89- Would like to be there early to beat the training crowds, so looking at being in the water by 9am.
|
|
|
|
Xracr96- an open seat in the car always helps. It’s the prior engagments Saturday evening that are hindering it from happening unfortunately. If it was a different weekend I’d be there like swimwear. I miss being down in palm beach sometimes. So definitely if we can plan for another weekend.
Dmdave- Do you have other people going on the dive?
|
|
|
|
Trulyjonny89 - Due to cancellations there is currently no one else going, I’m desperate to get into the water and out of this damn heat. Let me know if you can go and I’ll meet you there.
|
|
|
|
Dmdave- i unfortunately won’t know for sure until late tonight if i could go.
|
|
|
|
Not a problem if you can’t…
Keep in mind that we do have an diving event for 30 July at Paradise Springs but it does require either an advanced certification or 50 dives.
|
|
|
|
Paradise Springs - 30 JULY 2015
|
|
|
|
Anyone down to get wet at ginnie springs this Saturday morning (7/30)?
|
|
|
|
Hey trujonny what is ginnie springs like, I thought it was more for cave divers? I will have to ready more about it I my underwater Florida book when I get home. If it’s open water friendly then I’m down to go.
Sorry Xracr, this past weekend wouldn’t have been a good time for me anyway, así went out of town. I got your email, came here to find the postando couldn’t find the post anymore, and then replied to the email not sure if you got it.. But I’m open for diving this weekend July 30/31, but not Aug6/7 (I work.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey what’s up, I researched the area online and in my book, checked out the prices, etc.. And I’m down to check it out this weekend. Let’s dive the Santa Fe river and the main area where the snorkelers go. I prefer to go first thing in the morning to beat traffic, the rain, and the snorkelers. Have you dove here before, and where will you be driving from? I also have some ideas for future dives after this one.
|
|
|
|
Hey I haven’t dove ginnie yet that’s why i want to definitely give it a whirl. I’d like to definitely get wet by 9 for sure, and get as many dives in as I can. I do have to be back in Gainesville by 4 so I’m sure we can definitely get some time under.
|
|
|
|
Ginnie is big for cave divers, but there is also an open water area too. The O/W area includes a ball room (cavern) that is safe for competent O/W divers. I say competent because it’s a full overhead environment. the exit is always clearly visible though. Bring a flashlight as it could be dark towards the back. Take it slow on the exit. Your 15’ safety stop is in the middle of the slope going out and it’s very easy to skip by if not paying attention.
I like Ginnie, but not so much for the non-diver crowd it attracts. I should know by tomorrow if I am free th weekend. Imight be up for battling the Ginnie locals for a day :).
If I go, I would like to make the day out of it and do a couple dives to make up for the 2hr drive. They do have tanks and fills onsite. What did you guys have in mind? FYI, I went about 6 weeks ago and the river was browned out. Call and ask what the current conditions are.
|
|
|
|
Yeah I was reading on trip advisor about ginnie springs it’s sounds like it can get a little crazy with all the snorkelers, and then it’s near Gainesville (UF)
|
|
|
|
I was at Ginnie Springs a few weeks back and I don’t recommend going there on a weekend unless you like big crowds and rowdy drunks, I’ll only go back there during the fall and winter months or weekdays.
|
|
|
|
It’s one of the springs I haven’t dove yet so I’m definitely down to battle the"ginnie locals". They do have a fill station so I’m trying to get a couple tanks worth in. I’ll be up there by 830.
|
|
|
|
They open at 8am and I highly suggest that you’re there by 7:30am to beat the crowds that will be there to sign in for the tubbing and other non-dive related things.
I got there at 8am and there was a line out the door waiting to get in, once inside it was too much like a free for all to get to one of the registers.
|
|
|
|
How’s the dive gear rental process is it quick and easy or are they also going to have a long line am I better off bringing my own? I just need bcd/tank/reg I have the rest
|
|
|
|
Once you make it to the front of the line the rest is pretty quick, if it’s your first time there you’ll have to watch a short video. I’m not sure on the quality of their regs and BC’s but if you have your own it might be worth bringing instead of using rentals.
|
|
|
|
If anything my dive shop is 10 minutes away from ginnie and it is a padi 5 star certified shop. Only downside is they don’t open until 9. I have to pick up some regs tomorrow
|
|
|
|
Do you guys mind if I tag along for an early morning dive with you?
|
|
|
|
I might be tagging along. What time is everyone going?
|
|
|
|
I don’t mind at all since we are both new to diving and want to add more dives to the log and to make the trip more worthwhile we’re thinking about maybe hitting another spot while there -
|
|
|
|
Which other spot are you thinking of going to afterwards?
|
|
|
|
Manatee springs. I as well don’t mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We were going to ginnie springs first, although I think Manatee springs is the deeper of the two, because ginnie will probably be the busiest. So if we get there first thing and get in the water then the snorkelers shouldn’t be a prob. I’m not familiar with all the different springs in North Florida I’ve only swam/dove at 3 of then (the most visited ones) but I was just reading about troy springs state park in my dive book. You pay a park fee, a cheaper dive fee and there’s no limit on the divers as far as the website goes plus it goes about 80 feet for all you advanced divers and the
|
|
|
|
I haven’t been to Troy yet. There is also another about 8-10 minutes north is Royal springs which is free. There is a 20’ high diving/jumping platform over the spring too. Which is pretty fun. Giant Stride time! No onsite rentals or air though. I am bringing air so not an issue for me.
I am game for whatever as long as I can shake this migraine. We should probably share phone numbers.
|
|
|
|
I called Manatee earlier about the limit for the day. The lady informed me they haven’t maxed out this year.
|
|
|
|
Feel free to text or call. Text is easier 772-359-0213
|
|
|
|
Will text you. What time were we meeting at the office?
|
|
|
|
|
|
I will be there by 8:15-8:30
|
|
|
|
Dave if you’re still coming were wondering the way thete
|
|
|
|
I woke up with a head cold so I won’t be able to make it.
Do you need an address for Ginnie Springs?
7300 Ginnie Springs Rd High Springs, FL 32643
|
|
|
|
Great dive today guys definitely lets do that again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I made it home, had a good time guys.
|
|
|
|
It wasn’t bad in the morning, had no trouble finding parking, the main spring wasn’t overly crowded yet, but the lines at the check-in desk were moving really slow, which is understandable it’s a long check-in. Inside the cavern it was just us 3 and a few free divers entering and leaving.
But as we were leaving the park, oh yes it got very busy. The check-in line was out the door. The line of cars coming in was long too. The river was full of people tubing. The second dive was at Troy springs instead of Manatee springs. I liked troy springs, and I would do ginnie springs again but as a cavern diver. My shop is doing a cavern specialty course in a month or 2. And the checkout dive will be there
|
|
|
|
I think I am done with Ginnie. Had a great time with you guys, but that was not because of Ginnie. We basically got ran out of there wasting our entry fee.
How many people are too many? Do they even have limits as to how many people they let in the park? In the spring? All state parks do. Manatee spring does. Almost every business has some limit and that’s to keep within a safe level.
If we had a dive emergency, where could ems or fire get to the spring? Parking ingress and egress points are not marked. Everyone parked wherever blocking all entrances but one and that had barely enough space for a car. Who patrols this? I saw no one. Plus who do we tell of said emergency? Verizon and att do not work there. Sprint worked sometimes. No call boxes. No staff. I guess we play the phone game and pass the message.
How about those wild animals doing burnouts in their big trucks. Dirtying hundreds of cars and posing risk to all innocent bystanders. Why? I mean like really, why????
And rudeness all around from the staff. (Well except for the fill station dude, he was cool)
Might be speaking out of turn here, and I’m sure you guys don’t want to hear me vent but it blows my mind how places as popular as ginnie are run so poorly.. I do not see this being sustainable.
|
|
|
|
xracr96 - to answer your question they don’t have any limit that I’m aware of, as a matter fact it gets 100 times worse during major holiday weekends. Ginnie Springs is privately owned and therefore does not have the same guidelines as the state owned Springs. The best time to go there as a diver is in the fall and winter months. Blue grotto, Paradise Springs and Devils Den are exclusively for divers so the crowds are nowhere near as bad. Paradise Springs is probably the best one for the least crowds but because of the depth it is more of an advanced dive.
|
|
|
|
I couldn’t believe the cave instructor trying to have a class in the middle of all of that. No they do not have a limit, I had called the day before we left thinking that if we got there late they would close the park, but they let everyone in. I’ve been to rainbow river on a busy day and I would say ginnie was much busier. I couldn’t believe the line that I saw around 1pm. I’m so glad we went there first. The springs near where I live open at 8 and fill to capacity by 9!
|
|
|
|
|
|
From AshNic: I uploaded pictures! Very nice! I uploaded a test video from our trip to Ginnie Springs on 09JUL2016, unfortunately there isn’t much since I didn’t have the proper lighting for inside the cavern.
Ginnie Springs 09JUL2016
|
|
|
|
|
if your ever in south Florida let me know. Monday & Sunday is best for me as I work 3 jobs and these are my days off. I’m looking to get into diving haven’t dove for awhile but got certified in ’82.
Heres my number 516 205 5567 NY area code but I live in Coral Springs
Bernie
|
|