Florida

USA_East

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

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

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

Mainly for snorkelers.

Just up the road from Ginnie Springs.

Poe Springs

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

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

The cave travels to about 80 ft deep at appx 60 degrees down then almost straight down to a u-turn to the Florida room at about 120 ft deep. It is one of the largest underwater rooms. From there, it goes back to the terminal room where many false exits exist from there is goes to depth of over 190 ft in places. The terminal room has many ascending dead end routes and is where many got lost and died. It has been early 40 years since I was an avid cave diver and spent hours exploring most of the tunnels in the cave network. It was one of my favorite caves I ever had the opportunity to explore. It has been penetrated for thousands of feet back to no ends that I am aware of.

I would increase the depth claim but also express the dangers of this cave. Full cave certification is required for this network. 

North on 129 out of Branford, Florida.  Turn left on CR 248.  Follow 248 till it ends, veer left into county park.  Spring is the big hole at the bottom of the spring run.

Not to be undertaken without at least a Full-Cave certification or equivalent.

Little River is also known as Little River.

Little River

80' Spring with a moderate outflow.  About 60' of rock wall to explore on the way down and up.  Also a cypress flat out to the Suwannee River

Very easy to enter.  There are two entry points from the dock.

Troy Springs

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

This was a good 1 tank dive. Not much wild life, but lots of snorkelers, boats. Nice picnic area and facilities. Current from the spring is like standing in a 50 mph wind! Over all not much to see through. Had to do it once.

Manatee Springs

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Manatee Springs