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Rainbow River
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Submitted By:
Ivan Walrath
Submitter Comments:
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.
Directions:
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
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Diver
Reviews: (Please share your
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here!)
06/16/2008 Lori File (Avg: 3.20 Review) - Find the KP Hole Park, then pay to get in. The boat ramp is on the side of the park. You can rent a kayak right there. The current is light, and the locals told me no rain has made river low. Paddle up less than two miles. Takes 60 or more minutes. Suit up (the water is cold). Drift back down. We actually snorkeled this time. Water is pretty shallow for diving, probably 5-20 feet at most. We saw an alligator while snorkeling. You can't take your dog in the park, but you can take him on the river (we had a triple kayak). There is a large parking area, and a place for RV's also.
03/21/2008 Dave R. (Avg: 3.00 Review) - This is a nice dive, especially for a family or novice divers. This was the second time we dove here, the first was 2005. While not a 'shore dive' if you go to the K of P park in Dunnellon you can rent a canoe. We got three divers, myself, wife and daughter and all out gear into one canoe. Paddle 1 to 1.5 miles upstream, put your flag in the canoe and drift back. Be sure to surface and check for the park from time to time so you don't pass it. The viz was in the 75-100 ft range. Bring a camera. Lots of eel grass beds, gar, etc.. Look for sand boils and larger spring outflows. The west side is built up, homes, etc. The east side is undeveloped. A few recommendations. Put on a 2mm wet suit before getting into the canoe (no wet suit and you will get cold by the end of the dive). If pulling out on the east side to gear up, select your site carefully. There are some good spots but watch for sunken roots and fire ants.
10/31/2007 Jay and Tara (Avg: 4.22 Review) - The wife and I did some of our final checkout dives here. Visibility was 60-70 feet, and there was a very light current. We saw tons of fish, a sea otter, and plenty of turtles. Pay $10 for the boat ride up, and enjoy a nice slow drift dive back.
02/04/2007 Dave K (Avg: 3.85 Review) - This is a very beautiful river drift dive. Vis is unlimited, great for an easy summer afternoon drift, brush up or check out new equipment. It's not really a shore dive. We went with American Pro Divers out of Crystal River, up the river with a pontoon boat, then had a relaxing drift back down. Plenty of fish (check out the Gar Hole), and lots of plant life. No challenges here, but will do it again for sure.
09/13/2006 Youssef (Avg: 4.00 Review) - Good underwater sceneries and fish. 72F all year and good visibility (75+). I did my OW training there.
05/10/2005 Bill (Avg: 3.55 Review) - Rainbow River is a great drift dive. Take a boat upstream to the head spring area, jump in, and let the current take you back downstream. Depths are shallow (max I ever got was about 18 feet), but the water is crystal clear and teeming with wildlife. Rainbow makes for a great group outing for diving, snorkeling, and inner tubing down the scenic river. Its a great way to spend a hot summer afternoon in Florida!
04/22/2005 D&K Jenkins (Avg: 2.90 Review) - Great time! A constant 72 deg F. We went with America Pro Dive, which took us up river a ways and did an hour drift to the entry point. Crystal clear water (unless others drift through the plant life and stir up the sediment!) Great facilities w/ changing rooms/showers/restrooms. Word is you can snorkel or tube a lot more of the river.
04/11/2005 Jason NYC (Avg: 2.76 Review) - This ranks as one of my favorite dives. Topside is typical "wild" Florida. Very peaceful and lovely. I don't believe this one can be done as a shore dive but you can snorkel here from shore after paying a small park entrance fee. This drift dive is done after a short ride in a boat up current. Visibility is forever (fresh cool 72 degree spring water) and depths are very shallow, ranging 5-20ft. The current is Cozumel like with a break at the end of the dive in a small spring area. Not much fish but a few friendly ones. The attraction here is the unique Florida spring water and underwater topography. A really lovely dive in central Florida! About a 2 hour drive from Tampa.
04/11/2005 Anonymous (Avg: 3.50 Review) - Amazingly clear. Enjoyable 'float' down the river. Unique experience watching the springs bubble up through the sand on the bottom.
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Diver
Averages for Rainbow River (1=worst,
5=best) |
Number of reviews for this site: 9
1504-6-5-34
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2.67
4.11
3.67
3.11
4.67