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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Florida

The top 274 dive and snorkel sites in Florida, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Florida guide

dive sites
274
dive shops
115
reviews
506
AreasMonroe County50Miami-Dade County47Palm Beach County43Escambia County31Broward County29Bay County8Levy County7Marion County6
274 sites, ranked by diver reviews
Epcot Dive Quest1

Epcot Dive Quest

5.0(24 reviews)Florida, USA East

EPCOT Dive Quest is an exciting experience offered at the Living Seas at EPCOT Center Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL which gives you the chance to perform on our underwater stage- a 6 million gallon aquarium which houses over 65 different species of fish, sharks, turtles, and stingrays. The program, which lasts for about 2 ½ hours, begins with a backstage tour of the Living Seas- a functioning marine research facility. You will learn about marine wildlife conservation and Disney’s efforts all around the world to protect our oceans. After watching a short film about how the Living Seas was created, it is time for the ultimate dive. We provide all of the gear, while you supply all of the fun when you SCUBA dive in our main aquatic environment for 40 minutes. You’ll be part of the Disney show as you get to dive in a place that millions have visited but few have been able to go beneath its surface. All guests are given a T-shirt and a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program. Certified divers ages 10 and up are welcome. The cost is $140 per person (group rates available- other discounts may apply). This includes all gear, the dive, refreshments, a T-shirt, certificate, and a dive log stamp. Equipment includes mask, fins, tank, buoyancy compensator, regulator, weightbelt, and a 2.5 mm shorty wetsuit. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Personal masks are acceptable. To make a reservation for Dive Quest, please call 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687) In addition to Dive Quest, we also offer two programs for non-certified guests- Seas Aqua Tours and Dolphins in Depth. Aqua Tours involves surface-assisted-snorkeling in our main environment, while Dolphins in Depth involves in-depth information and interaction time with our two resident bottle-nosed dolphins.

BeginnerShore entry
Rainbow River2

Rainbow River

4.9(17 reviews)Florida, USA East

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

BeginnerShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
3

Crystal River

4.9(8 reviews)Florida, USA East

Crystal River is a fresh water river complex fed by warm freshwater springs. It offers a variety of fish (mullets, catfish, tarpon, etc.) and many Manatees. I found the manatees were friendly and unintimidated by SCUBA. Sadly, all of the manatees I saw had suffered multiple prop injuries. If you do boat in manatee territory, please look out for them. This is an easy site to dive and offers a good environment for beginners. Maximum depth is around 40 feet. The water is in the mid 70s to low 80s year round and I was comfortable diving in a 3-mil skin. I know it can be shore-dived, but, I don't know a lot of the details of shore diving this site. I dove it from a small inflatable. I know it's in the North Western section of the Florida Peninsula, and, I believe it's a state park. Sorry I don't have more information. I only dove there once.

Max depth 40 ftShore entry
No photos yet
4

Blue Heron Bridge

4.7(25 reviews)Florida, USA East

You must bring a flag and they don't allow scuba in the swim area in front of the lifeguard stand. If you go off the beach and to the east you can dive the little bridge, or you can dive to the west of the beach around the pylons under the larger portion. You can also go east an west around the anchored boats and find a couple little ones that have sunk. You are going to want to get in about an hour before high tide to get the most out of the slack tide. You can dive either East or West of the Park. Do not enter the boat lanes! As you go east on Blue Heron Blvd., you will go over the bridge and Phil Foster Park will be on your left. As you turn in stay to the left and you will park near the bridge. You will set up in the parking lot and go off the beach. Night diving is only permitted by boat, you cannot cross the beach after dark. Blue Heron Bridge is also known as Phil Foster Park.

BeginnerShore entry
Morrison Springs5

Morrison Springs

4.8(13 reviews)Florida, USA East

Once a commercial dive operation site, Morrison Springs is now a Walton County recreation park. Bought by the State of Florida in 2004, it is now a no fee area. The dive area is an about 250 foot wide spring basin surrounded by a grove of cypress and other trees. Entry is sand gently sloped entry into the water. Water levels vary, but at approximately 18 to 25 feet, there is a training platform resting on the bottom of the basin. In the center of the basin, there is a funnel shaped entrance to the cavern area. A large tree trunk rests across this opening. Down the funnel is a small cavern room at about 35 feet and a large cavern room at about 50 feet. Depths can reach about 90 feet in the large cavern room. Water temps stay constant at about 65-68 degrees all year due to the spring. Facilities include bench areas, a bath house and restrooms, a covered picnic pavilion, a freshwater wash-down shower and some large floodlights. The area is also a popular launch place for local fishermen, who will launch boats in the same area as the divers. For this reason, a dive flag should be towed with the diver while in the dive basin. Caution should be noted anytime you surface as boaters don't always follow dive flag rules. As of October 2005, the county is meeting and planning upgrades to the facilities and also a separate boat launch area to separate divers and boaters. While this won't keep all boaters out of the basin, it will create a much safer dive environment. Nearest Dive Shop and Air Fills: Vortex Springs - http://www.vortexspring.com/ 10 miles away. Other sites that have information or pictures or maps. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/springs/locator/Morrison.htm http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/morrison.html http://www.floridacaves.com/morrison.htm http://tfn.net/Springs/Morrison.htm Location: South of Ponce de Leon, Florida GPS coordinates N30.6578 W85.9056 Directions: Morrison Spring is south of the town of Ponce de Leon, Florida. Take I-10 and exit at Hwy 81 in Ponce de Leon. Go south on Florida Hwy 81. Turn left (east) on County Road 181. (look for a pavilion/shed in field with a Blue roof) Take CR-181 and turn right onto Morrison Springs Road. You will soon come to a fork in the road. Keep left and proceed to the spring. The road will dead end in the springs parking lot. Google Maps location: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=N30.6578+W85.9056&spn=0.048180,0.095645&t=h&iwloc=A&hl=en

BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftShore entry
No photos yet
6

Pompano Beach

4.8(10 reviews)Florida, USA East

Pompano Beach, located between Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach gives you the best of both worlds, small town charm with big city access. Pompano has some of the best diving in Florida. Pompano Beach is no longer diving's best kept secret! Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Pompano Beach is extremely popul;ar because of the close proximity of world class wreck and reef dives. The majority of the wreck dives on the Gold Coast are located just outside Hillsboro Inlet, Making Pompano Beach the "Wreck Capitol" of Florida.

Shore entry
No photos yet
7

Army Tanks

5.0(3 reviews)USA, Florida, Miami

There are two M60 Army Tanks placed in 15m deep by the DERM in June of 1994. It is an interesting dive, cos tanks are now an oasis of life... Off Miami Beach

BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

Blue Heron Bridge

4.8(6 reviews)USA, Florida, Palm Beach

You must bring a flag and they don't allow scuba in the swim area in front of the lifeguard stand. If you go off the beach and to the east you can dive the little bridge, or you can dive to the west of the beach around the pylons under the larger portion. You can also go east an west around the anchored boats and find a couple little ones that have sunk. You are going to want to get in about an hour before high tide to get the most out of the slack tide. As you go east on Blue Heron Blvd., you will go over the bridge and Phil Foster Park will be on your left. As you turn in stay to the left and you will park near the bridge. You will set up in the parking lot and go off the beach. Night diving is only permitted by boat, you cannot cross the beach after dark. Blue Heron Bridge is also known as Phil Foster Park.

BeginnerMax depth 12.1 ftShore or Boat entry
Ginnie Springs9

Ginnie Springs

4.6(17 reviews)Florida, USA East

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

BeginnerMax depth 30 ftShore entry
No photos yet
10

Mike's Wreck

5.0(2 reviews)Key Largo, FL

If you plan to dive Key Largo, you'll find Mikes Wreck, or the now confirmed Hannah M. Bell, lying on Elbow Reef. Wreck. Once a mystery ship, this vessel rests near two other popular Florida Keys shipwrecks, the City of Washington and the Tonawanda The combination of Elbow Reef, along with three interesting wreck dives is why this is one of the best Florida Keys dive trips. With so many other wrecks nearby, crystal clear water, and an amazing coral reef to explore, this is scuba diving Florida Keys at it's best. When wreck diving the now confirmed Hannah M. Bell, you'll find her lying between buoy E2 and buoy E3. This position is only a few hundred feet from the Elbow Reef lighthouse which means night diving is possible. The Hannah M. Bell is also shallow at a maximum depth of 25 feet. This makes this Florida Keys wreck perfect for those interested in Florida Keys snorkeling or for those who want to learn to scuba dive.

BeginnerMax depth 25 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
11

Forty Fathom Grotto

5.0(2 reviews)Florida, USA East

40 fathoms deep, spring water, good viz. Platforms to take a break every 15 feet. 40 Fathom Grotto 9487 NW 115th Ave Ocala, FL 34482 (352) 368-7974

BeginnerMax depth 60 ftShore entry
No photos yet
12

Lauderdale by the Sea

4.5(45 reviews)Florida, USA East

The very best shore dive place on the East Coast I have ever dove at has been Lauderdale by the Sea. I only made it out to the first reef but it was incredible. That should be your first stop.

Shore entry
No photos yet
13

Vortex Springs

4.6(12 reviews)Florida, USA East

VORTEX Springs in Ponce De Leon FL. It is a natural spring and mostly around 70 degrees. It boasts Gin Clear vis! There is a cavern there and some swim throughs.

BeginnerMax depth 49.9 ftShore entry
No photos yet
14

Destin Jetties

4.5(15 reviews)Florida, USA East

Recently( this February) I did a shore dive at the Destin Jetties in Destin, Florida. I went there because the boat dives were all canceled due to bad weather. Of course that meant there was bad weather at the jetties too but I was so determined to dive in the ocean that weekend. I spent about 12 mins fighting the currents in 6 foot water and went about 9 yards. It was freezing cold and I had about 5 ft of visibility. It was a terrible dive but the locals I talked to said that on good days it can be incredible. I plan to try it again this summer. You are at the mercy of the tides for peek diving conditions. Obviously when I dove that mercy was not available. There are jetties on both the east and west side of the pass - the east side is where people do most of their diving. To reach them, you'll want to get to Gulf Shore Drive and follow it past where it makes an "S" turn. At this point, be on watch for a gravel lane for public parking on the right side of the road. There will also be a single showerhead and a few signs that can be easy to miss marking the trail that leads out to the beach and the East Pass Jetties.

Shore entry
No photos yet
15

Devil's Den

4.5(13 reviews)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

Shore entry
No photos yet
16

Weeki Wachee Springs

4.6(5 reviews)Florida, USA East

Weeki Wachee can best be described as a fresh water spring with a theme park built around it. In between dives you can watch the mermaid show that takes place right there in the spring. Divers must be accompanied by local dive shops with permission to enter and dive. Located on US 19 in the heart of a very small town called Weeki Wachee. It's about an hour and a half north of Tampa, Fl.

Shore entry
No photos yet
17

Blue Grotto

4.4(26 reviews)Florida, USA East

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

BeginnerMax depth 29.9 ftShore entry
No photos yet
18

John Pennekamp

4.7(3 reviews)Florida, USA East

John Pennekamp is a 4.666666666666667-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Florida, USA East which is accessible from shore based on 3 ratings.

Shore entry
No photos yet
19

Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area

4.7(3 reviews)Florida, USA East

The reef at this area consists of several smaller reefs that are parallel to shore. The description of these reefs is similar to Vero Beach but the topography of the outer most reef at Ft. Pierce is more dramatic. The reef can actually be seen from satellite imagery on the Google maps link below. Http://www.google.com/maps?q=Vero+Beach,+FL,+USA&ie=UTF8&ll=27.482823,-80.299201&spn=0.013877,0.022659&t=h&z=16&om=1 Patches of sand exist between the reefs and can be used as navigation aids. The first reef is a couple hundred yards from shore but the outer most reef that faces the ocean has the most fish life and structural variation. Another difference in diving Ft. Pierce as compared to Vero Beach is that parking is plentiful and the facilities are extremely clean and diver friendly including drying racks by the showers-- this is what your fees help pay for. Something to keep in mind diving this area is that it is near an inlet that leads to the intracoastal water way. As such, pay attention to weather and currents for visibility conditions and use a good diver down flag. Furthermore, this is a popular site for surfing for stay cautious during the ascent and surface swim. Ft. Pierce Inlet State Recreation area is located on A1A just before it heads west towards the mainland. A road from the gate house, this is a fee area, leads to several access points on the beach. The reef off the beach is a part of the larger reef that parallels the FL Treasure Coast all the way to just north of Miami - the name Treasure Coast derives from the numerous Spanish galleons that wrecked just offshore on this large reef system spilling their contents on and off the local beaches.

Shore entry
No photos yet
20

Vero Beach

4.7(3 reviews)Florida, USA East

Near Lakeland

Shore entry
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of Florida: numbered map of the top 18 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
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Numbers match the ranked list of Florida dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Florida

All 115
Starfish Scuba
5.0 (580) · Boynton Beach
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Dive Pros
5.0 (135) · Pensacola
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LETTS DIVE!!
5.0 (118) · St Petersburg
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Island Ventures
5.0 (83) · Key Largo
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Florida diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Florida for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 274 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dive and snorkel sites in Florida?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Florida are Epcot Dive Quest (5.0 from 24 reviews), Rainbow River (4.9 from 17 reviews) and Crystal River (4.9 from 8 reviews).

Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in Florida?

The top-rated beginner sites are Epcot Dive Quest (5.0 from 24 reviews), Rainbow River (4.9 from 17 reviews) and Blue Heron Bridge (4.7 from 25 reviews).

Where can I shore dive in Florida?

Epcot Dive Quest, Rainbow River, Crystal River and Blue Heron Bridge are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.

What is the best advanced dive in Florida?

Phosphate Dock (4.3 from 4 reviews).

Are there dive shops in Florida?

Zentacle lists 115 dive shops in Florida. The top-rated are Starfish Scuba (5.0 from 580 reviews) and Dive Pros (5.0 from 135 reviews).