Mermet Springs Scuba
Mermet Springs Scuba
5
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About
Mermet Springs is a full service dive site and scuba training facility that offers on-site scuba instruction. We strive for excellence and cater to dive shops, instructors, students and certified scuba divers of all experience levels and certifying agencies. Whether you are looking for a scuba training facility or a dive site that you and the entire family can enjoy, plan your next trip to Mermet Springs where you can dive in First Class.
Vienna, Illinois
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
78 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
9
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
LanceMannion
Saint Louis, MO22 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
I am a certified diver though I did not dive for this review. So why write? Well, I stayed with a group of divers for the weekend and saw and heard all they did, plus I watched all of the shore activity while they were diving.
The underwater reviews above this one are pretty consistent with what I heard from the people I was with. It's a quarry, but about as good a dive site can be if it's a quarry.
Above water? An excellent place. The staff, from welcome center, to equipment supply, repair techs, the folks as the surprisingly good snack bar to whomever was walking around just doing maintenance or whatever...all were very friendly and truly helpful. From solving forgotten gear issues to needing quick repairs, they were friendly, offered on the spot service and were genuinely committed to helping folks have a good time.
I live in St. Louis and before spending the weekend at Mermet Springs was a little skeptical as to why my group had booked further away from town than some closer quarries for open water testing. After this weekend I would not hesitate to choose Mermet Springs over closer locations that offer fewer underwater attractions and such friendly and technically capable staff.
The underwater reviews above this one are pretty consistent with what I heard from the people I was with. It's a quarry, but about as good a dive site can be if it's a quarry.
Above water? An excellent place. The staff, from welcome center, to equipment supply, repair techs, the folks as the surprisingly good snack bar to whomever was walking around just doing maintenance or whatever...all were very friendly and truly helpful. From solving forgotten gear issues to needing quick repairs, they were friendly, offered on the spot service and were genuinely committed to helping folks have a good time.
I live in St. Louis and before spending the weekend at Mermet Springs was a little skeptical as to why my group had booked further away from town than some closer quarries for open water testing. After this weekend I would not hesitate to choose Mermet Springs over closer locations that offer fewer underwater attractions and such friendly and technically capable staff.
Written June 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobEleveld
Seattle, WA12 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
I dove with Mermet Springs on the 22nd of March 2015. I contacted Glen (one of the owners along with his wife PJ) late on the 17th, early on the 18th of March, to request a dive guide for Mermet Springs for the 22nd. Still recovering from jet lag from Korea I sent my e-mail close to midnight and within minutes Glen responded to my e-mail. He stated he would lock in a dive guide for me. Talk about customer service. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised based on how thorough his website is laid out.
I arrived there as requested at 8AM because I requested to finish two dives by noon. My dive guide, Kent, was there already and ready to go when I was. Kent was phenomenal (a true professional/wow). Kent knew the quarry like the back of his hand. Kent was able to set the pace that I requested, hit the sites I wanted to hit, hit the time I wanted to hit, and checked to make sure I was good to go about every 20 seconds. I mean talk about customer service. Once again, I shouldn’t be surprised because the whole operation is laid out that way. Customer service focused.
So, let’s get down to brass tacks. I believe Glen and PJ sat down and said we don’t care if we make money. They said let’s lay out the best quarry dive operation that can be possibly laid out. If we make money, we make money. So, from my perspective it was a “build it and they will come”. Contrast this with a different dive operation I dove with on Saturday (don’t plan on reviewing them), that operation was built the exact opposite. It was built on let’s make money, and spend as little as possible on it, and charge as much as possible. Sunday with Mermet Springs was great compared to the other operation’s charge and make as much money as possible philosophy (that operation is about 2 ½ hours from Mermet Springs).
Because Glen and his family are divers they understand what divers want. A dive map, a dive briefing, safety, warm showers, changing room, gear layout area, food, etc…etc…etc. They nailed it with their operation. Because I didn’t have a dive buddy (coming from outside of the U.S.), the dive guide option was awesome. You should see the requirements to be dive guide for Mermet Springs. It would blow your hair back. The dive store (or things you can buy) selection is great if you forgot anything. Their shirt selection (or swag as I call it) was great and fully stocked. Safety, wow, this place was founded on and built around safety. You will see that when you get there. The final thing I will say is that I have never dove to underwater music but you can at Mermet Springs. They have an underwater PA system installed that can play music or it could be used in an emergency to relay information to divers. Talk about safety.
If I was going to buy/run a quarry dive operation, I would copy what Glen has done. It would be the do what he has done. I can’t think of how I would improve it though. I would follow the “build it and they will come” philosophy like he has done. I will say having my 100th dive (and 101st) dive on the 727 from U.S. Marshalls will always make that dive and this place memorable. The friendliness/family environment that the staff demonstrates makes you want to come back again and again. Hard to think of a friendlier place to dive that just makes you feel good about saying you were able to be a part of it even though it was only for a day.
I arrived there as requested at 8AM because I requested to finish two dives by noon. My dive guide, Kent, was there already and ready to go when I was. Kent was phenomenal (a true professional/wow). Kent knew the quarry like the back of his hand. Kent was able to set the pace that I requested, hit the sites I wanted to hit, hit the time I wanted to hit, and checked to make sure I was good to go about every 20 seconds. I mean talk about customer service. Once again, I shouldn’t be surprised because the whole operation is laid out that way. Customer service focused.
So, let’s get down to brass tacks. I believe Glen and PJ sat down and said we don’t care if we make money. They said let’s lay out the best quarry dive operation that can be possibly laid out. If we make money, we make money. So, from my perspective it was a “build it and they will come”. Contrast this with a different dive operation I dove with on Saturday (don’t plan on reviewing them), that operation was built the exact opposite. It was built on let’s make money, and spend as little as possible on it, and charge as much as possible. Sunday with Mermet Springs was great compared to the other operation’s charge and make as much money as possible philosophy (that operation is about 2 ½ hours from Mermet Springs).
Because Glen and his family are divers they understand what divers want. A dive map, a dive briefing, safety, warm showers, changing room, gear layout area, food, etc…etc…etc. They nailed it with their operation. Because I didn’t have a dive buddy (coming from outside of the U.S.), the dive guide option was awesome. You should see the requirements to be dive guide for Mermet Springs. It would blow your hair back. The dive store (or things you can buy) selection is great if you forgot anything. Their shirt selection (or swag as I call it) was great and fully stocked. Safety, wow, this place was founded on and built around safety. You will see that when you get there. The final thing I will say is that I have never dove to underwater music but you can at Mermet Springs. They have an underwater PA system installed that can play music or it could be used in an emergency to relay information to divers. Talk about safety.
If I was going to buy/run a quarry dive operation, I would copy what Glen has done. It would be the do what he has done. I can’t think of how I would improve it though. I would follow the “build it and they will come” philosophy like he has done. I will say having my 100th dive (and 101st) dive on the 727 from U.S. Marshalls will always make that dive and this place memorable. The friendliness/family environment that the staff demonstrates makes you want to come back again and again. Hard to think of a friendlier place to dive that just makes you feel good about saying you were able to be a part of it even though it was only for a day.
Written March 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bowazon
41 contributions
Feb 2017
Great place to dive in fresh water. There's so much to see below the surface. It does get cold when you get deep about 40-55 feet according to the time of year. Planning many more trips.
Written February 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluto359
Alexander, IL37 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We live about 45 miles from Mermet Springs and have dove there about 8 times, even took a dry suit class there since the water is always cold. Visibility is always bad. It's the nearest dive site for me so it's always tempting to go, but I'll never go again. Pennyroyal, KY isn't that much farther and has warmer water & much better visibility.
Written September 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer B
New Orleans, LA59 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
This is a fantastic place to learn to dive and to keep up on diving skills. I'm serious about the rock and roll!!! They have speakers in the water playing some of my favorites. Glen and PJ run a first class business. They have several items at various depths for divers to seek out and explore. The staff and instructors are experienced, friendly, and relate easily to all skill levels. Several covered pavilions are available with waist high equipment tables all located very close to the water exit/entrance docks. I didn't know how much I appreciated these tables until i ventured to dive spots that do not provide them!!
Written March 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darin
Quito, Ecuador400 contributions
Apr 2021
Glen helped organize a dive buddy for me that was perfect. I had not been in the water for a while, and even though Glen recommended a refresher course, I did not choose this option. I appreciated the patience of my guide and Glen.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine H
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States242 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
We spent the last couple of weeks at MS getting our 11-year old certified. Every staff member is extraordinarily accommodating, ready to assist in any form or fashion needed. It is truly a 1-stop shop with outstanding instructors in the classroom and in the pool, all the gear you want and/or need on site, a service facility for gear also on site and, most importantly, a feeling of everyone being part of a family.
Dave kept the classroom interesting and on track for Ethan (which likely was quite a task considering he is 11 and some of the math required was ... challenging) and the pool time was never rushed. Safety first, safety always was heard throughout our time at MS. As I am not a diver, that fact alone was especially comforting.
Terry was patient on the first 3 dives and kept Ethan smiling throughout their day together. The final dives with Randy were the icing on the cake. Fine tuning a few skills, playing catch with a bowling ball underwater on dive #5, etc. What more could a kid ask for? Randy took tons of underwater photos on the bonus dive #5 and Glen's idea of having my husband also dive (he is certified) with Ethan on dive #5 and present him his card about 20' underwater was brilliant. Memories, memories and more memories! A final celebratory toast with grape juice out of their masks was a nice finishing touch .... we couldn't stop smiling.
Divers come to MS from around the world. I now know why. I would travel to do the same.
Dave kept the classroom interesting and on track for Ethan (which likely was quite a task considering he is 11 and some of the math required was ... challenging) and the pool time was never rushed. Safety first, safety always was heard throughout our time at MS. As I am not a diver, that fact alone was especially comforting.
Terry was patient on the first 3 dives and kept Ethan smiling throughout their day together. The final dives with Randy were the icing on the cake. Fine tuning a few skills, playing catch with a bowling ball underwater on dive #5, etc. What more could a kid ask for? Randy took tons of underwater photos on the bonus dive #5 and Glen's idea of having my husband also dive (he is certified) with Ethan on dive #5 and present him his card about 20' underwater was brilliant. Memories, memories and more memories! A final celebratory toast with grape juice out of their masks was a nice finishing touch .... we couldn't stop smiling.
Divers come to MS from around the world. I now know why. I would travel to do the same.
Written June 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
Taylor Ridge, Il1 contribution
Nov 2013 • Solo
Whereas it has been a couple of years since I have conducted a dive at Mermet I can tell you, having hit some dive sites world-wide, Mermet Springs has the friendlist staff, the cleanest facilities and some fantastic underwater attractions. Some sites sport a cople of attractions, Mermet has them all. They are also a full service site offering equipment, clothing and safe fun. Disclaimer: the review required a date of last visit, but I was not there in Nov 2013. I think the last time I was on site was July 2013.
Written October 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jnissen
Saint Louis, MO124 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
We came in during the week and scuba dived for two days. The staff was wonderful, friendly and always willing to help out. The facilities are well maintained, the visibility was good and we had a great time finding all of the items in the water. Bring your cold water gear, I can't remember my hands being so cold and I was using 3 mil gloves (use 7 mil now).
Written June 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mremily
Corydon, IN21 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
I did my check-off dives here this weekend, and it was a great spot! The staff is extremely helpful, and they take care of you here. Amp round to have their stamp as the first in my dive log!
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
when you plan your next trip to Mermet Springs and need lodging consider ABVI - Cheekwood Inn in Ullin, IL Exit 18 on I 57 . Motel is only 18 Miles From Mermet Springs about 20 Minutes Drive . We have resturant on site, Indoor Pool, Free WIFI, next to Gas Station with Cstore and Hunt Brothers Pizza . look up for the hotel online @ TripAdvisor. ABVI- CHEEKWOOD INN , ULLIN, IL 62992 OR CALL @ 618 -845-3700
Written May 26, 2017
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