Bonne Terre Trip

[DeepDiverBob]

Just got back from Bonne Terre Mines. Those people down there definitly move at their own pace. We was behind from the word go today. I really wanted to see the elevator shaft this time, so I spent the money to do trail number 4. That was suppose to be a 4:00 PM dive, and also my last one of the day. Well, I guess it was about 5:45, we finally got in the water and did a pretty cool 49 minute dive. Except for the delays in the dive times, everyone seemed to have a good time.

[theskull]

A beautiful dive site. And the delays are part of the experience. Last time out I never even go to make my 3rd dive of the day. They owe me 1.

Glad you all had fun!

theskull

[nauifins73]

I want to dive the mines someday - I have heard you have to a "checkout dive" for them is this true?

[theskull]

I want to dive the mines someday - I have heard you have to a "checkout dive" for them is this true?

Not strictly. You must dive trail #1 first, and this is the simplest and shallowest trail. And before setting out on trail #1 everyone submerges and quickly demonstrates that they can clear their mask and breathe from their alternate air source.

The trails are somewhat sequential, and you "earn" the right to dive the more advanced ones by having paid for the easier ones first. They are very strict about this, no matter what your certification rating or experience level.

theskull

[nauifins73]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like a good idea. I understand there is a Bed & Breakfast type housing there at the site or close. How close is the nearest town with other motels? Do you have to go as a group or will they just take stragglers - say a couple?

Becky

[theskull]

There are a few places to stay in Bonne Terre. The mine is in the heart of the town. I have not spent the night there since I live less than 2 hours drive away.

A group is not necessary; I have even dived it as a single-assigned to another buddy pair. They take you out in groups of 2 to up to as many as 8 that I have seen. They have a tour leader and also a safety angel who follows everyone.

They can only accomodate a set number of divers per day and are usually booked up well in advance. I suggest you make reservations at least a month in advance.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

From what I saw yesterday, I dont understand the point of the skills. The guy I was assigned to didnt appear to have a clue about alt air breathing. When he gace me his second stage, he just sat there blwoing bubbles. I had to pick up his air 2 and put it in his mouth for him, and the diver leader still okayed us to go on. If you are going to make people demonstrate the skills, make sure they can at least do them. But on the other hand, I dont want to spend my first dive sitting there for 20 minutes while this guy gets a scuba review.

As far as the B&B goes, I would recommend staying in a hotel somewhere close to town. I talked to a mother and daughter that was in out group who came down from Ohio. For the two of them, to stay there 2 nights, and do 3 dives on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday, it cost them over 800 bucks she said.

[Wkndbum]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like a good idea. I understand there is a Bed & Breakfast type housing there at the site or close. How close is the nearest town with other motels? Do you have to go as a group or will they just take stragglers - say a couple?

Becky

The best place we found to stay was the Super 8, only a couple years old & only about 10 minutes from the Mine. Ask for the diver rate.

Terry

[nauifins73]

The best place we found to stay was the Super 8, only a couple years old & only about 10 minutes from the Mine. Ask for the diver rate.

Terry

Diver's rate way cool!! I figured we would be charged more. Ohhhh I am assuming it is a cheaper rate.

Thanks for the info.

Becky

[tom725]

I have been to Bonne Terre twice. Once early in my diving career and once a few years ago after 450 dives. The first time I went, I followed the leader and was comfortable being led. They do not let you take a flashlight, at least they did not when I was there. They say it is so no one wanders off the trail. It made me very uncomfortable because there were a number of times when I could not read my gages. As a experienced diver, I wanted to have control of the time and debth and not trust someone else. Particularly because I was not impressed with the skill of the safety diver who insisted on yanking on my equipment on the dock to check it.

It was very expensive, $60 per dive at the time.

I enjoyed it, and would go again, even if the staff was less than friendly.

[theskull]

. . . They do not let you take a flashlight, at least they did not when I was there. .

No lights is the policy, which they feel more strongly about on your first dive on trail #1.

It is a loosely enforced policy, though. Even on the first dive you may take a small light if you insist and promise to not shine it in anyone's eyes. I have dived the mine many times and have never done so without at least a back-up light attached to me.

On more advanced trails and/or when they are comfortable with your skills and attitude there is no problem with taking a primary light--I used my cave-diving light on my dives on my most recent trip there.

Most of the staff are pretty friendly, but only some of them are truly skilled divers, as is the case most anywhere. To see friendly, though, you must show patience--they operate on their own casual schedule, yet expect you to be on-time and fully prepared at assigned dive times.

The dive can be enjoyed!

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

That is true. My dive guide told me that he dont mind us bringing a small light, just not the big primarys. But he needs to be more careful with his light, because I am still seeing red, blue and yellow spots from all the times he shined it in my eyes.

To be honest, on trail 1, there really is no need for a light. There isnt much to see anyway. I would have liked to have brought a light with me on trail 4 though, when I was checking out the old elevator shaft.

[Sushi Boy]

I understand there is a Bed & Breakfast type housing there at the site or close.

The "Bed & Breakfast" owned by the dive shop is only a couple of blocks from the mine itself. The rooms are actually in old railroad cars that have been converted, which is kind of cool. What's odd, though, is that even it's owned by divers and marketed to divers, they've carpeted the rooms and don't allow any wet dive gear in them. Kind of strange if you ask me, but fortunately they have gear storage available at the mine. Also, the "breakfast" consists of a pre-packaged muffin and a bottle of OJ. You can probably stay cheaper at one of the motels on the highway.

This is a fantastic divesite though. Very unique and worth braving the cold water. I'll definitely go back sometime.

[StSomewhere]

I dunno, I'm sure its a definite been-there-done-that t-shirt as James and others have discussed elsewhere, but its so far to drive for me and the dives are so expensive, everytime I think of going I wind up getting a cheapie flight to FLL instead.