Best Springs to Dive in Florida
Millions of tourists visit Florida each year in search of sunshine, sandy beaches, and kid friendly theme parks. Other visitors have one main activity on their mind and that is scuba diving!
With a long, sprawling coastline, it’s natural to associate scuba diving in Florida to strictly ocean diving only, but that’s just not the case! If freshwater diving Florida is on your mind, you’d be going to the right place! With over 600 sites to explore, it’s a diver’s paradise. Here we share our Top 5 Best Springs to dive in Florida.
FRESHWATER DIVING FLORIDA
There are actually numerous freshwater diving Florida opportunities. With limestone rock naturally filtering the water, giving it crystal clear visibility and a temperature of 72 degrees, it is no wonder why beginner and seasoned divers would want to check some of these incredible nature made playgrounds off of their bucket list. While there are over 600 freshwater springs scattered throughout central and northern Florida, here are a few freshwater diving locations for you to consider on your next trip.
1. Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs is in a privately-owned resort and campground called Ginnie Springs Outdoors. It is 6.5 miles (10.5km) from the town of High Springs.
Located on the Sante Fe River, Ginnie Springs is a clear water gem!
Ginnie Springs is not only one of the most popular springs to dive in Florida but is one of the World’s most loved freshwater dives.
For certified divers who are first time visitors, you may want to bring an additional tank (or two), as there are four spectacular diving spots located throughout the property.
The best part of Ginnie Springs is called The Ballroom, one of Florida’s few overhead environments. This cavern has a maximum depth of 50 feet. It is partially lit by the daylight filtering through the water’s surface. However, it is still advisable to bring torches for further exploration of The Ballroom.
2. Blue Grotto
With campsites, cabins, showers, gear storage, a training pool, and more, the Blue Grotto is basically an all-inclusive resort made specifically for divers.
This unique scuba training facility located in Williston, has something to offer divers at all levels, whether still a student or an experienced diver.
Snorkeling Gear Package
Divers will begin at the 80 ft wide entrance to this 100 ft deep, majestic sinkhole. Once divers reach 30 feet below the surface, there is the one and only fresh air bell in the freshwater diving Florida springs.
Here divers can remove their masks, take a breath of fresh air and even have a quick chat with their diving buddy, if they so desire.
3. DEVIL’S DEN
Located just across the highway from the Blue Grotto is the privately owned scuba diving training center called the Devil’s Den Spring. While you may have second thoughts after hearing the name, it has historic origins. It was inspired by the early settlers who noticed a steam like smoke rising up from the cave’s chimney during the cold winter mornings.
In this 60 foot prehistoric spring, uniquely shaped like a mushroom cap below the water’s surface, divers can explore fossil beds dating back to 75,000 B.C.
If you’re really lucky, you may even discover some extinct animal remains, along with bones and artifacts from the early days.
4. DEVIL’S EAR SPRING
Devil’s Ear Spring is a popular diving spot located in Florida, United States. It is known for its crystal clear waters and unique underwater landscape which attracts divers from all around the world. The spring is a popular destination for cave divers who come to explore its underwater caverns and tunnels. The water temperature is usually around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a comfortable diving experience.
The diving experience at Devil’s Ear Spring is truly remarkable. The crystal clear waters provide excellent visibility, allowing divers to see the underwater landscape in all its glory. The spring is home to a variety of aquatic life, including fish, turtles, and other marine creatures.
Divers can explore underwater caverns and tunnels, which are filled with stunning rock formations and unique geological features. The experience is both exhilarating and peaceful, as divers are surrounded by the serene beauty of the underwater world. Overall, Devil’s Ear Spring is a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast.
5. VORTEX SPRING
Vortex Spring, located in Ponce de Leon, Florida, is an aquatic paradise for divers seeking an unparalleled diving experience.
This crystal-clear, freshwater spring boasts a consistent year-round temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an ideal destination for divers of all skill levels.
The underwater world at Vortex Spring is teeming with marine life, such as bass, catfish, and turtles, providing divers with an opportunity to encounter these creatures up close.
The spring’s depths range from shallow waters perfect for snorkeling and beginner divers to an intricate cave system that extends 1,600 feet for the more experienced and daring divers. Vortex Spring is not only known for its captivating beauty and thrilling underwater adventures, but also for its commitment to safety and conservation, ensuring that both the divers and the environment are well-protected for generations to come.
Freshwater diving is an experience like no other. Click on the map below to view more springs to discover the best springs to dive in Florida.
Google map location of Florida Freshwater Springs
If you want to read about more places to dive in Florida, try the Visit Florida site here.
