Anyone ever dive Vortex Spring

[moosicman]

i didn't realize how many people come from all over to dive Vortex Spring in Ponce de Leon, Fl until recently and wondered who all on this board has...so who's been???

[IrishSquid]

First time was this year in October for the Vortoberfest. Met a bunch of Scubaboarders for the first time and had a hell of a time. Great people, good times, good dives. Shane and the staff were friendly and sociable.
I also went down the road to Morrison Springs and that was nice. Probably going back this spring. Yeah!

[Navy OnStar]

I've dove morisson but haven't gotten over to vortex yet.

[Puffer Fish]

Ah, the mud hole... yes I have.. no I don't... do morrison... or the jetties...much better and cheaper diving.

[easyrider003]

I have been to morrison but not vortex. Will be headed down to vortex next saturday on the 8th. Lookin forward to it

[FishFood]

Originally Posted by Puffer Fish

Ah, the mud hole... yes I have.. no I don't... do morrison... or the jetties...much better and cheaper diving.

I believe Puffer summed it up pretty well.... When Morrison gets it's new facilities built, the only thing itll be lacking is air fills.

[Ronald T Wooley]

I've been here a few times this year. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I drive a big truck carrying loads to mid and south Florida, and they are always willing to find me a place to park 70'+ of truck so I can dive on my way back to Vicksburg, MS. (It's tough finding people to let me do that!!!) This is a great place to try out and familiarize yourself with new equipment in a shallow, controlled, freshwater environment. (No rinsing required. ) Easy in/out access to the water can be found using 1 of 2 pier/step entrances and 1 floating platform. Depth at bottom of the spring is about 25' or so, then you drop down vertical to the cave entrance at 54'. From here, it is a gradual downward slope inside the lighted cave for about 250' to a max depth of 107' registered on my Atmos AI. Temp registers at 70deg on all my dives. Viz is fair due to a bloom they had this year. Feeding the fish is always entertaining. I hope to visit soon in my personal vehicle so I can try Morrison Springs just south of I-10 from Vortex. I've been told by several people that Morrison is a good dive, too.

[ianr33]

Just a word of warning here. Vortex has a CAVE.

Unles you have cave training PLEASE do not go into it.

[easyrider003]

The last time I went to Vortex, January 19,2008, There were so many people there. Probably at least 50 people in that water at on time. Viz was terrible. I have never been there when it was as clear as advertised. I was kinda dissapointed since I drove 4 hours to get there and paid $20 buck to get in. I figured I could have jumped in the pond behind my house and had just a good if not better viz. I am headed to ABWA on March 1. Never been there, but if viz is better than my last trip to Vortex I think I will just start going there. I know viz would be better during the week but it would not be easy for me to get to Vortex during the week.

[mwhities]

Originally Posted by easyrider003

The last time I went to Vortex, January 19,2008, There were so many people there. Probably at least 50 people in that water at on time. Viz was terrible. I have never been there when it was as clear as advertised. I was kinda dissapointed since I drove 4 hours to get there and paid $20 buck to get in. I figured I could have jumped in the pond behind my house and had just a good if not better viz. I am headed to ABWA on March 1. Never been there, but if viz is better than my last trip to Vortex I think I will just start going there. I know viz would be better during the week but it would not be easy for me to get to Vortex during the week.

Myself and about 20 other people will be at Pelham this Saturday (Feb 2nd). Come join us if you can. Ohh and the viz will be a LOT better. It's bigger too. Visit http://www.divealabama.com.

To the OP. I've been to Vortex, just never dove there. I've only dove Morrison Springs.