Cathedral Sink USA

Renowned cave diver Sheck Exley generously donated approximately four acres, including Cathedral Sink, to the National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section. This picturesque property holds significant importance in the world of cave diving.

• Region: Florida
• Coordinates: 30.35595, -83.13279
• Depth: 200 ft
• Remarks: CLOSED – NSS/CDS
• Type: Cave

The Intricate Falmouth-Cathedral System

Exploring the Falmouth System:

Cathedral Sink is the farthest upstream entrance among 18 known openings into the extensive Falmouth system. This intricate labyrinth of underwater passages eventually converges and flows into the Suwannee River at Ellaville Spring, nestled within the Suwannee River State Park.

Pioneers of Exploration and Vast Passages

Mapping the Uncharted Depths:

The Falmouth-Cathedral System witnessed the tireless efforts of prominent explorers and mappers, including Sheck Exley, Mary Ellen Eckhoff, Paul DeLoach, and others. This underwater realm boasts a staggering 41,020 feet of interconnected passages.

Record-Setting Dive Exploits

Pushing Boundaries:

On December 16, 1990, Sheck Exley made history by achieving a record penetration of 10,939 feet during a multi-stage dive lasting nearly 12 hours, complete with decompression. Notably, in 2004, upstream exploration expanded the limits to over 17,000 feet.

The Evolving Underwater Landscape

Changing Conditions:

During the early days of Falmouth-Cathedral System exploration, Cathedral’s visibility often exceeded 100 feet. However, shifts in the aquifer’s dynamics have led to reduced visibility, typically just a few feet for most of the year. Occasionally, conditions favor better visibility, reaching around 40 feet. Given these challenges and the significant depths involved, Cathedral is classified as an advanced cave dive, with depths exceeding 200 feet. The access policy reflects this complexity, ensuring safety and responsible exploration.

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