Number 1 Question:

Why do I need a guide?

It all has to do with safety. Not your safety, mind you, but the safety of the cave itself.

As caves go, The Cave at Blue Grotto is about as safe as it gets. It’s shallow. You’re never that far from the entrance. All permanent guidelines in the main cave lead directly to the exit. Other than an overabundance of silt (it would be a death trap for recreational divers), there are no significant hazards.

What needs protecting most is the cave itself. You simply don’t find caves in north-central Florida that are as pristine or untouched. In fact, most cave divers have never seen a cave that looks the same now as it did before divers entered. The Cave at Blue Grotto is among the few exceptions — and the guides are doing everything in their power to keep it that way, including limiting traffic and making sure all divers are carefully supervised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need “full” Cave Diver certification?

The cave itself is well within the limits of training for Intro/Basic Cave. What is much more important than having a particular level of certification or number of dives is that you have absolutely superlative buoyancy control and trim…and the ability to keep your hands to yourself. This is why the guides screen every diver they take to ensure each diver possesses the necessary skills and abilities.

Just how exactly do you screen divers?

That depends. If your guide is already intimately familiar with your skill level, that may be sufficient. What the guides generally do, however, is conduct a warm-up dive in Blue Grotto cavern. This accomplishes several things, including:

• It gives guides the opportunity to see how you look in the water.
• It gives you a better understanding of the overall geology of the site.
• It allows you to see the contrast between the two different sides of Blue Grotto.

What if I don’t pass the screening process?

It’s better if that doesn’t happen. Make sure your abilities are up to speed before you get here. If they are not…well, you’ll have to work that out with your guide. You just won’t be going in the cave.

How can you do a meaningful dive in such a small cave?

Appearances can be deceiving. Despite the fact it’s roughly the size of a football field, the cave has over 250 m/800 ft of permanent guideline. You’ll see all of this both going and coming.

Given that this is a one-time experience for most visitors, the guides take their time, poke around and make sure you get to see everything. It’s not unusual for dives in the cave to last 35 to 50 minutes or more. Add this to the time you spend in the cavern before hand, and it adds up to a worthwhile experience.

Are there any special rules I need to follow?

You bet. These are mostly common sense, considering the fragility of the cave, and include:

• No pulling. No gliding. No touching anything.
• Keep well away from the ceiling, floors and walls.
• Use your very best anti-silting technique.
• Leave the cave exactly the way you found it.