Many amenities make training at Vortex an instructor's dream. Student training platforms are provided for instruction at the 20-foot level along with a "talk box," (a large inverted container anchored to a concrete base providing air space for conversation). The spring basin is 50 feet deep at the mouth of the beautiful, ledge-like cavern. There are two artificial caves that are open at both ends, providing training and fun for divers who are not yet cavern/cave certified. River catfish, harmless American Freshwater Eels, Redhorse Suckers, and a school of very rare, exotic "Shadow Bass" will be your constant companions. There is no thermocline because water flows directly from the aquifer.

We carry everything you need to get wet and a little more in our rental program. Check out our equipment rental and training pages for more information.

For the certifed cave divers, the natural cavern is the real deal. It is 58+ feet deep and continues through a garage-sized tunnel into cave diving. The cave meanders gracefully another hundred yards or so to a depth of 115 feet, with a penetration depth of 310 feet. The tunnel is blocked by a steel grate at this point. The white sand bottom is gently rippled by the outflow from the underground spring. Pockets of air randomly collect at the ceiling, creating a sound like gentle piano tones. Guided by a permanent safety hand rail, certifed cave divers may explore at their leisure along the beautiful limestone confines of this wonder of nature, confident of their way back to the surface. Penetration into any confined overhead areas is only for divers with the proper training!