Florida

USA_East

33 Million year old fossils in an incredible sink hole

5390 NE 180th Ave; Williston, Florida 32696; 352 528-3344;7 days 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; $27 per day to dive

Devil's Den

"Visit one of North America's most prehistoric places, Devil's Den  -- an underground spring inside a dry cave in central Florida. The remains of many extinct animals from the Pleistocene Age (2 million - 10,000 years ago) were discovered at Devil's Den, including the bones of early man, dating back to 75,000 B.C.

The pleasant year-around temperature of 72 degrees in the Den allows comfortable diving, winter or summer. On cold winter mornings you can see steam, like smoke, rising from the cave's chimney. Hence, the early settlers called the place Devil's Den.

You'll find open water and cavern diving at its best & will be fascinated by the rock formations with stalactites and 33 million year old fossil beds, truly a natural wonder."
Source: http://www.devilsden.com

Entrance fee is approx $27. Water temp is 72°F all year round.

Norteast from Williston, on the road (Alt 27) to Bronson.
Address: 5390 NE 180th Avenue, Williston, Florida 32696

Devils Den is also known as Devil's Den, Floridas Pre historic Spring.

Devils Den

Sink Hole, underwater air bell at 30', underwater lighting system

5390 NE 180th Ave; Williston, Florida 32696; 352 528-5770; 7 days 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; $27 per day to dive

Blue Grotto

40 fathoms deep, spring water, good viz. Platforms to take a break every 15 feet.

40 Fathom Grotto<br>9487 NW 115th Ave<br>Ocala, FL 34482<br>
(352) 368-7974

Forty Fathom Grotto

Spring fed river, incredibly clear.  In addition to abundant underwater wildlife, see springs bubbling into river (looks like bubbling sand).  Easy snorkel since you get taken upriver in a boat and "float" down.

Biology interest is based on both land and water creatures, especially birds and large freshwater fish. Week-end frequency based on holidays and summertime, otherwise not too bad in the early morning when the best animals are active.

Very quiet setting, recommended to get there EARLY, 8am when the park opens, to beat any crowds and big dive classes (they arrive around 11:30 or 12 usually). Gentle current allows good introduction into handling your buoyancy on a drift dive. Gentle sloping landscape underwater, worst thing you'll run into is tall grass or a sunken log.

In various spots the spring feeding the river bubbles up from the sand, and from small caves, which is quite interesting the first time someone experiences it (seeing the sand "boil," feeling the temperature differences). Large alligator gar and turtles may come by to say hello

You can easily access the first entry point by going to the main gate for the park and hopping a boat, or simply taking the short trail down to the water's edge. The docks and walkways are brand new, either paved or wooden depending which you choose. Very easy access either way.

Paved parking, small fee to enter park.

From Orlando - Approximately 83 miles ( time 1 hour & 40 min)  1. Take I-4 East or West or Florida Turnpike North exit #77  2. Go North on the Florida Turnpike approximately 55 miles 3. Turnpike will turn to I-75 North  4. Take I-75 North for 10 miles to Hwy.484 exit # 341 turn left 5. Take Hwy. 484 West to Dunnellon Fl. Approximately 20 miles to Hwy 41 6. Go right , North 3 miles to SW 99th Place. Turn right at light go 1 mile cross RR track then go left after crossings, 1 mile on right is KP Hole County Park

Rainbow River

Mainly for snorkelers.

Just up the road from Ginnie Springs.

Poe Springs

You will find that sink in the manatee springs state park. The sink is covered with duck weed.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/default.cfm



Catfish Hotel Sink

We went there to test out dry suits through DUI.  The manatee spring wasn't that fun but the other one right by it (in the same park) was neat, and had a lot of interesting things to look at.  The visibility was shot that day since it was so crowded but it still was fun.

 11650 N.W. 115th St., Chiefland, Florida 32626,Phone: 352-493-6072

Manatee Springs

For divers of all levels. This is a commercially operated dive site. Entrance fee is $27. Only certified cave divers can reach 140'.

Southeast of Ocala. Paradise Springs is a private place.

Follow U.S. 27 south to Williston

Paradise Springs

Four diveable springs:The Ball Room, Little Devil, Devil's Eye, and Devil's ear

This is a full service facility with something for everyone.

Ginnie Spring has a wonderful cavern and is open to open water divers. There are a number of other dives at this with limited open water area and then a lot of cave.

http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/

Great campground and facilities.

Northeast to High Springs city.

7300 NE Ginnie Springs Rd; High Springs, Florida 32643; 904 454-2202; M-Th 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. F-S 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun 8.a.m. - 8 p.m. $24 per day to dive

Ginnie Springs

Devil's hole is a very impressive place. The sink is about 18 meters in diameter with the water level about 15 meters from the top of the sink.

It can be very difficult to enter into the water (steep sides). You should plan on bringing vertical gear to get in and out of the sink (there is an old ladder but not really safe!).

This is different than Willistons "Devils Den", this is not a maintained area so dont expect facilities or help if you cant get out.  Scope it out and make sure you know what you are doing before you get into trouble.

The water is often unclear until you get down a bit, there are a number of cars, etc to see and some cave entrances.   Be smart on this dive.

IMPORTANT: This proberty is privately owned and trespassing is a federal offense. The land is currently being developed and the owners have posted no tresspass signs and the property is guarded.  Local authorities have been notified.

Edit 5/16/07: Ditches have been dug to bar all entrance. Multiple no trespass signs have been posted, and a fence has been built around the sink. 

Take S-20 from Gainesville towards Hawthorne. Look for route CR-21 (do not turn yet). Turn left onto Lake Galilee Dr, about 1.8 miles from the CR-21 intersection. Go about 150 yards and take one of the two sand roads to the left, and go to the sink.

Devil's Hole is also known as Devil's Sink, Devils Den.

Devil's Hole

Small sinkhole, but fascinating dive, about 50 ft is max depth, but you have to swim around/under large rocks to get that deep. I didn't think it was scary to go down there. Daughter,13, didn't like that idea. HUGE catfish (20-25lbs) swimming lazily around entry dock. 72 degrees, swimming pool visibility, year-round. Very enjoyable dive.

Devil's Den

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Devil's Den