Just the FAQs…

“Just the facts, ma’m…“
— Sergeant Joe Friday

 

In all honesty, we have no idea where some folks are getting their information about the Grotto these days. Since Commercial Diving Academy took over operation of the Grotto, here are some of the things people have told us they’ve heard:

• “The Grotto is now closed to all but Commercial Diving Academy’s students…’
• “The Grotto will be closed for construction until next year…”
• “The Grotto is only open certain days of the week…”
• “The Grotto is now the property of a quasi-religious cult that communicates with space aliens and worships a giant peanut butter sandwich…”

Okay, we actually haven’t heard that last one — but it seems everything else we’ve heard is just as bizarre.

If you are going to talk to other people about the Grotto, it helps to be armed with some actual facts. That’s what this page is for.

Here are answers (honest ones, in fact) to the questions most people are asking about the Grotto these days.

• Is the Grotto closed for construction? Is it no longer open to the public?
• Is the Grotto open to all divers — or just to Commercial Diving Academy’s students?
• I’ve heard that the Grotto is only open to “ordinary” divers during the week. Is that true?
• I’ve heard that you have to make reservations to dive the Grotto. Is that true?

 

Q. Is the Grotto closed for construction? Is it no longer open to the public?

A. First of all, it is important to understand that the Grotto has never been “open to the public,” the way that most north-central Florida dive sites are. Now, as in years past, the only way you can dive the Grotto is under the direct supervision of a qualified Grotto Guide. Most Grotto Guides are Instructors who bring students to the Grotto for training.

That having been said, there is a very extensive re-building and remodeling project currently underway at the Grotto. Nevertheless, we have thus far managed to keep the Grotto open for our Guides and their students and guests, in spite of the presence of building materials, heavy equipment — and the fact we are tearing down and replacing many of the Grotto’s facilities.

At some point, we are going to have to close the Grotto to diving for about a week, while we remove the old docks and replace them with new ones. We don’t yet know when that is going to happen — but when we do, we’ll let all of our Guides know as far in advance as possible.

 

Q. Is the Grotto open to all divers — or just to Commercial Diving Academy’s students?

A. The Grotto continues to be open to all divers — just so long as they come with and remain under the supervision of a qualified Grotto Guide. (See previous answer.)

 

Q. I’ve heard that the Grotto is only open to “ordinary” divers during the week. Is that true?

A. The Grotto continues to be open by appointment, seven days a week. The key is that Grotto Guides need to make reservations ahead of time, rather than just showing up unannounced. The good news is, they can now do that on line.

 

Q. I’ve heard that you have to make reservations to dive the Grotto. Is that true?

A. If you read the answer to the previous question, you know the answer to this one. Individual divers cannot make reservations to dive the Grotto, unless they are taking part in one of our courses. Grotto Guides can — and, in fact, must — make reservations for their groups, which they can now do on line.

 

This information should put most of the common misperceptions regarding the Grotto to rest. Nevertheless, if you have questions we have not answered here, feel free to call or e-mail us.

 

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