From: mayne@phi.cs.fsu.edu (William Mayne)
Subject: Re: Snorkeling Crystal River
Reply-To: mayne@cs.fsu.edu
Organization: Florida State University Computer Science Department
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 13:41:54 GMT

In article <92348.184714SPOWELL@MIAMIU.BITNET> Steve Powell <SPOWELL@MIAMIU.BITNET> writes:
>As to the place in northern Fla. that has interesting caves and rock
>formations that was mentioned, I think that would be Ginnie Springs.  I
>aslo did the Manatee snorkling in Crystal River, which was fun, but poor
>vis...[snip]

I agree on both parts. There are some springs and even a cavern or two
at Crystal River. But I wouldn't bother to dive there if it weren't
for the manatees. I wouldn't take scuba for that. In addition to
usually having poor visibility it is extremely crowded at times.
It is really hard to understand why it is ever crowded with scuba
divers since it isn't a very a good place for that. One consolation
regarding the poor visibility is that there isn't much to see
anyway, except manatees in season. A lot of classes go there for
check out dives. This contributes to the crowding and the poor
visibility in the big spring which would ordinarily be fairly
clear if left alone.

>The
>best way to do Ginnie is to park at Ginnie, take a short hike to Devil's
>Hole (which has some interesting caves) and drift dive down the river to
>Ginnie.  On the way down the river there are several springs coming from
>little caves (wouldn't recommend going to deep into them though.  Finally
>arriving at Ginnie springs, take a break for food, then do Ginnie Springs
>caves.  The water very clear, vis. great, and there is a large underwater
>cavern that extends 150'horizontally before breaking off into caves.  I
>just had a cheap 15.00 disposable camera, and most of my pictures there
>came out great.  Good place to take Cave Diving specialty.

That is an interesting dive plan I haven't tried. I usually just dive
the cave. The two entrances are actually named Devil's Eye and Devil's
Ear. They both lead into the same cave. I believe the management tries
to keep open water divers from taking lights there. This is a common
practice to try to keep people from getting into the overhead
environment and having problems. Ginnie Springs cavern is relatively
safe and there are no restrictions there.

Here are a couple of fun things to do: (1) Take a cyalum (sp?)
- chemical light stick - down to the grate which blocks access to
the cave. After starting it cut it open and watch the glowing
drops moving in the current. There is a plan to do this with a
large number of cyalums and divers (with lights out) on New Years
Eve. (2) During the day time (don't cavern dive at night, by the
way) put enough air in your BC to be fairly positive and crawl
around on the ceiling for a while. (Flame retardant: I wouldn't
suggest that at fragile cave.) Eventually this starts to seem
normal. Then crawl over to the edge and peek over, seeing the
sky in the direction which looks like down.

Finally about the suggestion of taking the cave specialty course
at Ginnie Springs or elsewhere. I took mine with an instructor
from Ginnie Springs. There are several there and the two I've dove
with were both good. The course includes dives at other sites in
order to experience a variety of conditions. But the cave course
is only for those who are very committed to cave diving. The
cavern course, which is required as a prerequisite anyway, is
different. It is relatively cheap, easy, and fun. I recommend it
to anyone who has the chance to take it.

Bill Mayne

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