From Wikitravel

The dive site Badgat or Komati Springs is an inland freshwater cave system in a flooded mine at the foot of the mountains between Badplaas and Barberton in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It is at an altitude of 915m above sea level

[edit] Understand

Komati Springs, originally known as Badgat is one of the most popular technical diving and technical diver training sites in inland South Africa due to the depth, accessability, overhead environment and consistant conditions.

Originally an asbestos mine which was closed in 1972 and subsequently flooded. The free surface area of the open water section is about 110m long and 50m wide. The cave system of the old mine has 8 interconnecting levels with depths from 9m to 186m.

[edit] Position

Badgat is about 3hrs drive from Johannesburg.

This site is not in a Marine Protected Area. A permit is not required.

[edit] Depth

Maximum depth found to date in the mine system is about 186m, and 53m in open water.

[edit] Visibility

5 to 40m is reported.

[edit] Topography

Geology: The site is an abandoned and flooded asbestos mine. The surrounding area has been rehabilitated and is considered safe from asbestos contamination.

[edit] Conditions

The water temperature varies seasonally. In summer the surface temperature can rise to 25°C, dropping to about 20°C at about 30m, and 17°C at depth. In winter the water drops to a consitant 17 to 18°C throughout the water column.

The site is diveable throughout the year.

[edit] Facilities

• Permanent platforms at 5 and 10m, with shotlines.
• 300 bar air filling station on site.
• Dive shop on site with reasonable selection of equipment and spares.
• Equipment is available for rental, but must be booked in advance.
• Accomodation is available at shady campsites with electrical power at the ablution block.
• Students in training at the dive school can be accommodated at the dive centre, with kitchen facilities available.

[edit] Get in

This is a shore dive site.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Aquatic life

[edit] Features

The cave system of the abandoned mine.

[edit] Photography

[edit] Suggested Routes

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Hazards

Cave system, and deep water.

[edit] Skills

Cave certification is required to be allowed entry to the overhead areas, unless you are being trained as a cave diver at the time. Certification appropriate to the planned depth of the dive is required.

[edit] Equipment

Cave diving equipment is necessary for penetrations.

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