Tiedemann's Diving
Center Trips

Jeanne and Ed's Trip to visit the Manatees and Springs of Central Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a moment to read this page designed to help answer a majority of the questions you may have regarding this trip.

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1. What does the trip price include?
   The price includes: four nights at the Cabot Lodge – with Continental Breakfast - in Gainesville Florida – double occupancy. Three days of escorted diving.
   1) Day One - a morning of snorkeling from boats on Crystal River to hopefully (no guarantees) see
   the Manatees and an afternoon of Scuba diving in Rainbow River or Blue Grotto.
   2) Day Two - a full day of diving at Devil’s Den.
   3) Day Three - a full day of diving at Ginnie Springs. All air fills.
   Use of tanks and weights.
   A Long Island pool session – if needed.
   Non-divers can join us for a reduced rate – this includes snorkeling with the Manatees on Day One.
    
2. What about transportation?
   Transportation to and around Florida is not included. Most people are flying into Orlando Florida and renting a car (best prices in the country). Orlando is about 110 miles south of Gainesville. It is possible to drive to Florida, the trip from Long Island to Gainesville is 1100 miles.
    
3. What about car pooling in Florida?
   We do our best to get together members of the trip to share a rental car.
    
4. I don’t own all my own equipment, can I rent it?
   You may rent gear from Tiedemann’s Diving Center for $40 per day. This includes: BC, regulator, Octopus, gauges (pressure, depth and compass), wet suit (jacket and pants) and hood. The fee can be adjusted if you have some of the gear. We do not rent mask, fins, snorkel, wet suit boots, wet suit gloves or lights. You will need to bring the equipment to and from Florida.
    
5. Do I need a light for the trip?
   Yes, since some of the dives will be in caverns, a light is necessary. If you wish to take our Night Diving Specialty course we are offering, you will need three lights - a main light, backup light and a personal locater light.
    
6. Do I need a dive computer for the trip?
   No, all the planned dives can be done without a dive computer. If you wish to take our Computer Diving Specialty course we will be offering.
    
7. What about meals for the trip?
   Continental Breakfast is included, lunch and dinner are not included. Our hotel is located in an area with all types of restaurants – to meet any budget.
    
8. What will the weather be like?
   The temperatures with be Fall- like. Central Florida in January can be cool. One thing is for sure it will be warmer than Long Island.
    
9. What is the diving like?
   The first day – in the morning - will be snorkeling on the river (hopefully) to see the Manatees. Water temperatures will be in the high 60s. The first day – in the afternoon - will be Scuba diving in Rainbow River or Blue Grotto – these are spring fed and water temperatures will be 72 degrees. The second and third days are also spring fed areas and the water temperatures will be 72 degrees.
    
10. What will visibility be?
    There are no guarantees about visibility. In the past we have had in the river 20 to 30 feet of visibility. In Devil’s Den the visibility has been upwards of 60 to 70 feet. In Rainbow River and Ginnie Springs we will see the clearest water in the world. The visibility is about 300 feet. The best visibility you can have - underwater.
     
11. When do I have to be in Florida?
    You should plan to be in Gainsville on Wednesday, January 5th. We start diving early Thursday the 6th. The earlier you come in on the 5th the better. You can check in after 2:00 p.m.
     
12. When is checkout?
    Checkout is by 11 am on Sunday, January 9th.
     
13. It has been sometime since I have been in the water. Can I get some pool time to practice?
    Yes, the trip includes a pool session (with gear if you are renting from us). If you wish to have a private instructor for you pool session, arrangements can be made.
     
14. Why is the trip so close to the Holidays?
    We want to try and see the Manatees when it is not crowded. During the holidays there are so many divers, the Manatees are not going to be in the areas that we can interact with them. Years of experience have taught us that right after the first of the year there are very few divers in the area. This means less crowds and a better chance to see the Manatees.
     
15. How many people are going on the trip?
    This is hard to predict. Some years we have had only 20 people and some years we have had up to 40 people. We simply add staff as the trip gets bigger.
     
16. How far to we have to drive each day? The longest car ride is on the first day. Crystal River is about 60 miles from Gainesville. Day two is about a 30-minute drive and day three is about a 45-minute drive.
     
17. Will we be getting together for a meeting on Long Island before the trip?
    Yes, on Tuesday, December 7th we will have a meeting at Tiedemann’s Diving Center at 7:30 pm to meet everyone on the trip.
     
18. Will I be able to do my dives for Open Water Diver Certification?
    Yes, this trip is designed so you can get your Open Water certification and some Advanced Training.  The fee for the Open Water dives for certification is only $100.
     
19. What Advanced Specialties will be offered during the trip?
    We will be offering our Rescue Diver with Search and Recovery, Night Diving, Computer Diving and Underwater Photography courses during the trip. You may also complete your Enriched Air Nitrox Certification dives on this trip. 
     
20. What about the Mouse? You may have heard that many of the instructors go to Orlando after the trip and spend some time with Mickey and Harry. This is true and you can join us if you wish. Talk to us about the details.

Additional Links
Cabot Lodge - http://www.cabotlodgegainesville.com
Save the Manatee Club - http://www.savethemanatee.org
Blue Grotto - http://www.divebluegrotto.com
Devils Den - http://www.devilsden.com
Ginnie Springs - http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com