Diving the Catfish Hotel - Blog

By: BW Admin (12/22/2018)

Date: 2/24/2018

Rating:

Total: 0

We headed to Manatee Springs for the weekend with the main purpose being to dive the catfish hotel. Fortunately the springs did not disappoint, this is a pretty cool dive. The water was chilly but one of our party did the dive without a wet suit and he wasn't complaining after the initial plunge. I'm from Florida and have done quite a bit of diving but this was my first ever attempt at spring diving. I can't say this is something I would want to do every weekend but it is definitely well worth the effort to get down there and see it at least one time in your life. There is something a bit surreal about being down there and seeing only a few rays from the sun streaking through the duck weed that covers the surface. There are also some views from down in the mouth of the cave looking back up at the small circle of light from the surface that leave a lasting impression.

One free piece of advice: When the rangers at the front station tell you to check in and let them know you've completed the dive it would be in your best interest to do so. They take those park rules seriously up there.

Another free piece of advice: When the ranger swings by your camp to inquire as to why you failed to check in after your dive, it would be in your best interest not to be feeding junk food to the resident deer when they arrive..

Also, be sure to stop by the concession in the park for some BBQ while you’re there. I believe it is run by Anderson Outdoor Adventures, slow cooked on site in a large smoker. Tip top.