Gandy Warm Spring, Utah

Gandy Warm Spring is a beautiful oasis of vegetation, flowers, 80-degree crystal clear water, and a unique submerged cave. After this survey, Gandy Warm Spring is the longest submerged warm spring cave in Utah with a total surveyed length of 99 meters. Entering the cave you find small passage with a duck-under that opens into a decorated room you can almost stand up in — fits 5-6 people. This recreational section alone is worth visiting if you're in the area.

Beyond the recreational section is where the cave diving exploration began — a Japanese film crew joined for documentation. The cave gets very tight: crawling while pushing tanks forward in no-mount configuration. I encountered two more bell rooms, one nearly stand-up size. I turned on 1/4 gas instead of 1/3 for extra margin diving solo. Got wedged in a V-slot corner with current pushing me in — had to remove my helmet to wiggle backwards to freedom. Beyond the recreational section is for experienced cave divers only — it can turn deadly for the untrained.

The first 50 feet of the cave is the best part for recreational divers — an absolute blast to see. Beyond that: experienced cave divers only. Gandy Warm Spring is now documented as the longest submerged warm spring cave in Utah at 99 meters surveyed. Photos by Rachael Marie.