Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 17976h ago)
Max Depth
Unknown
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Rainbow River
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
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Anonymous
Mar 22, 2011, 12:00 AM
scuba
This is not a traditional shore dive in that you'll need a kayak to paddle upstream to get to the start of the drift dive. Many divers simply pay to have American Pro or Birds scuba shops located in the city of Crystal River take them upstream; however, you can rent kayaks in the county park or you can bring your own. This was a dive on my bucket list and while I am glad I did it and enjoyed the dive, I won't be rushing back in the next year or two: after about 10 or 15 minutes of diving, the underwater topography all sort of looked the same to me: lots and lots and lots of river grasses. Depths ranged from 5 feet to 21 feet, though most of the diving seemed to be at 5-7 feet with an occasionally area or hole that dropped to 20 feet or so and an occasional area less than 5 feet deep in which divers had to nearly surface to avoid dragging their bodies across the river grasses. The visibility was outstanding the day I dove: probably 75 feet +. The river is filled with common freshwater fish such as bass, some of which are quite brave and will come right up to a divers mask. Twice I caught site of a gar during the dive. One of the divers saw a freshwater turtle though I did not. The current is very mild compared with an ocean drift dive in an area like Jupiter Florida or Cozumel Mexico. The springs enter the river in several different ways: through long fissures or cracks in the river bed, through roughly round shaped holes with significant water pressure and most interesting to me, through patches of sand where very modest pressure from the springs caused the sand to bubble, almost like lava. All of these springs keep the water clear, the temperature at a desirable 71-72 degrees and break up the endless sameness of the sea grass covered bottom. The dive is well worth doing; but after checking it off of my 'to do' dive list, I won't be back unless I feel the absolute urge to get wet again if I am traveling in the area. The setting of the park is beautiful and there are showers and rest rooms.
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