Where I've Been
I’ve been many places in the Midwest. Ironically though, I’ve never dove in the ocean or the Great Lakes for that matter. Don’t get me wrong though! I’m dieing to get into the saltwater seas. Aside from the places I’ve been, listed below, I would like to dive the Mediterranean, the Great Barrier Reef, the Cooper River (I’ll explain in a minute), the kelp forests of the U.S. west coast, the Hawaiian Islands, Truk Lagoon, Bikini Attoll, the Cayman Islands, Cancun/Cozumel, and Fiji. Some list huh? The reason
for the Cooper River is that it is the only place where you can dive for the fossilized teeth of "extinct" super-shark, megalodon. Anyway, here is a list of the places I have been.
Hidden Paradise, St. Paul, Indiana
This is the place where I completed my Open Water checkout dives. Not much to see though. The water is, however, clear and abundant in fish. Max. depth - 25 ft.
Vortex Springs, Ponce De Leon, Florida
One of my all time favorite locations. Once more, not much to see but it has great visibility, 45 ft. +. This place has a cavern. Max depth - 50 ft.
outside of cavern, 110 ft. inside cavern at cave entrance.
Sunset Dive Park, Linton, Indiana
The closest place to home. This is a great place to sharpen your skills but a crappy place to admire features. Though, I've helped with the sinking of a boat, look for it if you go, I would not reccomend this place to tourists. Max depth - 40 ft.
Dive Cerulean, Cerulean, Kentucky
Another crystal clear spring, warmer than the other though. To many things to list to see. Max. depth - 40 ft. +.
Mermet Springs, Metropolis, Illinois
The absolute best place for training dives, aside from the ocean. A little cold. The only place where you can dive a 727. Great visibility year-round. A must do for any diver. Max. depth - 120 ft.
Haigh Quarry, Kankakee, Illinois
A relatively good place to dive. Clear and warm for its latitude. About a 60 minute drive from Chicago. A lot of mining equipment to see. Max. depth - 75 ft.
Ginnie Springs, High Springs, Florida
This is a great place to go, though not a weekend getaway. Many different types of diving (e.g. drift, cave, etc.). I did my first cavern dive here. Not much to see but much to do. Max. depth - 30 ft. 30 ft. in the Sante Fe River, 15 ft. at the spring basin, and 50 feet inside the cavern at the cave entrance which is blocked by a gate.
King Spring, Crystal River, Florida
Didn't dive here but I did snorkel. Saw six manatee including a cow and her calf. Others did dive King Springs though. Max. Depth - 30 ft.
Peacock Springs, Luraville, Florida
I didn't dive this one. I was surface support. Max. depth - 65 ft. at cave entrance.
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