Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 7432h ago)
Max Depth
60 ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Hudson Grotto
The grotto is used for training, open water diving, and is available for private parties and special events. The Grotto walls are hour glass shaped loaded with solution tubes and other objects to look at. The bottom is dome shaped, and the edges average around 100 - 110 feet in Depth. with the deepest spot, about 155ft in a small opening against the north wall. There are four platforms, Three of them just under the end edge of the dock, and one in the middle of the sink. The three platforms are layered like steps, the first one is at 20ft.,the second at 45 ft. and the third at 60ft. Tied to the white barrel there is a line that runs down to a 100 foot platform which is used for Advance Open Water classes. The Platform sits next to two boats and lines run to an old VW van, and other interesting objects sitting on the bottom. There are several thermo clines, the mid-water temperature can get pretty cold between 40 and 80 feet , however the bottom temperature usually stays in the low 70's. The water is tannic all year, and visibility can really fluctuate with the algae bloom. Cost is usually around 10- $20 for divers depending on visibility.
Located one mile North from the intersection of SR 52 and US Hwy 19. Tower Drive is directly across the street from the Castriota Chevy Dealership. Hudson Grotto is on the left side of Tower Drive, just across the street from Scuba West dive shop.
Access
shore
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
5
4
3
2
1
(10)
Currently viewing a specific review. View all reviews
Reef_Haven
May 18, 2010, 12:00 AM
scuba
We had a blast at this site. It was a combination of Disney's Haunted Mansion and an underwater scavenger hunt. All along the nooks and crannies of the limestone formations are statues and figurines placed by other divers. Gnomes , Buddha's, gargoyles, frogs, rats, turtles, deer, alligator, pirate ship, angels, graveyard, skeletons, all kinds of things. I can imagine the Halloween Dives, and Easter Egg hunts are a blast as well. This site has several thermoclines, haloclines, a sulfur layer, and warmer saltwater intrusion at the bottom. At 110' are a sunken boat, VW beetle, bus and a couple trees. This site is not for beginning OW divers. Strong lights are mandatory. Anything below 30' is absolutely pitch black. If you've never done a night dive, you'll be completely out of your element here. Your first dive here, slowly enter and follow the edge of the grotto all the way around from 30' - 60' and see what all you find. Taking the express elevator straight down to 100' in pitch black darkness can be disturbing and disorienting.