🐟🤿MDS Dive Weekend at Mermet Springs | Open Water, Advanced & Fun Diving! 🤿🐟
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Plans have firmed up! The MDS crew is heading to Mermet Springs for a weekend of certification and fun diving.
Whether you're earning your open water certification, taking the next step to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, working on a specialty certification, or simply looking for a weekend of great diving with great people...this one is for you!
The MDS crew is heading to Mermet Springs for two days of underwater adventures, skill building, and plenty of good times above the water. Come spend the weekend diving one of the Midwest's premier inland dive sites with friends old and new.
📅 Event Details
📅 July 25–26, 2026
📍 Mermet Springs (Southern Illinois)
Weekend Schedule
Friday Evening Bonus (Optional)
Several of us will arrive Friday evening for dinner and to relax before diving begins Saturday. Join us if you'd like to kick off the weekend early!
Saturday
🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Open Water Certification dives
• Advanced Open Water Adventure Dives
• Specialty Certifications
• Fun dives with the MDS crew
• Dinner with the group at one of the local restaurants.
Sunday
🕗 8:00 AM – Noon
Finish certifications, enjoy a few more dives, pack up, and head home.
Can't stay the entire weekend? No problem! Come for whichever day works best for your schedule.
🌡 Water Conditions (as of June 25)
Surface: 79℉, 10' - 15' Viz
15 Feet: 78℉, 10' - 15' Viz
20 Feet: 68℉, 10' - 15' Viz
45 Feet: 55℉, 10' - 15' Viz
85 ft-bottom: 42℉, 20' Viz
Visibility should be improving as water settles after recent rains.
Who is diving down to spend some time in that brisk water!
👉 Been thinking about working on other specialties? This is a great weekend to get them knocked out. Reach out and we can work to make it happen.
🐠 Why Mermet?
This place is basically an underwater playground:
✈️ The famous Boeing 727 aircraft
🚤 Boats, platforms, and numerous underwater attractions connected by navigation lines
🐟 Spoonbill, giant catfish, bass, bluegill, and plenty of freshwater life
Whether you're practicing skills or just enjoying the scenery, there's always something interesting to see.
It’s one of the best inland dive sites in the Midwest.
💵 Cost
Divers: $25
Non-divers: $8
(We will collect the fees onsite)
📄 Save time and fill out your waiver ahead of time:
https://www.mermetsprings.com/2026-adult-site-release
https://www.mermetsprings.com/2026-minor-site-release
🏕 Lodging
Stay nearby in Metropolis, IL or Paducah, KY—most of the crew typically ends up at the Holiday Inn Express Metropolis using the Mermet Springs diver rate. You can select it when making your online reservation. Heading down alone and want to share a room? Let the shop know and we can help connect you with another diver.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
This is a BYOS “bring your own stuff” weekend:
Travel, lodging, and meals are on you
Bring your gear, Contact the shop if you need rental equipment.
Please let us know you are coming so we can get a good count and grab a pavilion so we can all hang out together
✅ Please RSVP
Give the shop a call so we know you're coming and can keep the group organized.
🌊 Spend the Weekend Making Bubbles!
Some divers will be earning certifications.
Some will be knocking out specialty dives.
Some just want to spend a summer weekend underwater with friends.
No matter your goal, we'd love to have you join us.
Grab your gear, invite your dive buddy, and let's make some bubbles!
#DiveLocal #MidwestDivingSpecialists #MermetSprings #PADI #OpenWater #AdvancedOpenWater #ScubaDiving
Whether you're earning your open water certification, taking the next step to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, working on a specialty certification, or simply looking for a weekend of great diving with great people...this one is for you!
The MDS crew is heading to Mermet Springs for two days of underwater adventures, skill building, and plenty of good times above the water. Come spend the weekend diving one of the Midwest's premier inland dive sites with friends old and new.
📅 Event Details
📅 July 25–26, 2026
📍 Mermet Springs (Southern Illinois)
Weekend Schedule
Friday Evening Bonus (Optional)
Several of us will arrive Friday evening for dinner and to relax before diving begins Saturday. Join us if you'd like to kick off the weekend early!
Saturday
🕗 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Open Water Certification dives
• Advanced Open Water Adventure Dives
• Specialty Certifications
• Fun dives with the MDS crew
• Dinner with the group at one of the local restaurants.
Sunday
🕗 8:00 AM – Noon
Finish certifications, enjoy a few more dives, pack up, and head home.
Can't stay the entire weekend? No problem! Come for whichever day works best for your schedule.
🌡 Water Conditions (as of June 25)
Surface: 79℉, 10' - 15' Viz
15 Feet: 78℉, 10' - 15' Viz
20 Feet: 68℉, 10' - 15' Viz
45 Feet: 55℉, 10' - 15' Viz
85 ft-bottom: 42℉, 20' Viz
Visibility should be improving as water settles after recent rains.
Who is diving down to spend some time in that brisk water!
👉 Been thinking about working on other specialties? This is a great weekend to get them knocked out. Reach out and we can work to make it happen.
🐠 Why Mermet?
This place is basically an underwater playground:
✈️ The famous Boeing 727 aircraft
🚤 Boats, platforms, and numerous underwater attractions connected by navigation lines
🐟 Spoonbill, giant catfish, bass, bluegill, and plenty of freshwater life
Whether you're practicing skills or just enjoying the scenery, there's always something interesting to see.
It’s one of the best inland dive sites in the Midwest.
💵 Cost
Divers: $25
Non-divers: $8
(We will collect the fees onsite)
📄 Save time and fill out your waiver ahead of time:
https://www.mermetsprings.com/2026-adult-site-release
https://www.mermetsprings.com/2026-minor-site-release
🏕 Lodging
Stay nearby in Metropolis, IL or Paducah, KY—most of the crew typically ends up at the Holiday Inn Express Metropolis using the Mermet Springs diver rate. You can select it when making your online reservation. Heading down alone and want to share a room? Let the shop know and we can help connect you with another diver.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
This is a BYOS “bring your own stuff” weekend:
Travel, lodging, and meals are on you
Bring your gear, Contact the shop if you need rental equipment.
Please let us know you are coming so we can get a good count and grab a pavilion so we can all hang out together
✅ Please RSVP
Give the shop a call so we know you're coming and can keep the group organized.
🌊 Spend the Weekend Making Bubbles!
Some divers will be earning certifications.
Some will be knocking out specialty dives.
Some just want to spend a summer weekend underwater with friends.
No matter your goal, we'd love to have you join us.
Grab your gear, invite your dive buddy, and let's make some bubbles!
#DiveLocal #MidwestDivingSpecialists #MermetSprings #PADI #OpenWater #AdvancedOpenWater #ScubaDiving
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Where is it happening?
203 S Linden St, Normal, IL, United States, Illinois 61761
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherMidwest Diving Specialist
