crystal river florida

[gbray]

My wife and I are planning a trip to crystal river. We have never been there and all she could find were guided tours. I am not into guided tours or snorkleing. Is there any where to go that I would not have to pay for a tourist type dive with a guide or are they actually not as bad and touristry as I am thinking? It is a fairly long drive for me and I don't want to be disappointed. Can anyone offrer any advise?

 

[Superlyte27]

You can rent a boat, or swim. Never much liked the guided dive thing.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Here is a link to one of the shops, and what they offer. See the boat rental rates if you want to take Superlyte27's suggestion.

Crystal River boat rentals at Crystal Lodge Dive Center

 

[PRL]

Last time I visited a shop in Crystal River, and asked them where they dive, They directed me to Rainbow River.
Just my opinion, but if I had absolutely nothing better to do, than maybe I would visit Crystal River again. If I did, than I would rent a boat or a kayak. Stay for an hour or two, pack up, drive to Blue Grotto, and Devil's Den. And call it a day

If I had to drive all the way from Missouri, I would think long and hard.
The time I was there the viz was 6 inches Viz in Rainbow river was 40 feet

The springs were cool, and were crystal clear, But not very big or deep.

 

[JKPAO]

gbray, Crystal River is a nice place to shake out the cobb webbs! i couldn't resist. I usually make that my first stop when I visit FLA. + ten trips from NJ. I always rent at the Crystal Lodge Dive Center The rates are fair and you can come and go at your own pace. The Best Western which is on the same property is an OK place to stay. I have family with places on the river, and prefer BW! There are several places to eat and drink within walking distance of the Best Western.

As others have said Blue Grotto and Devils Den are right up the road (Williston). my guess (I don't remember so well anymore) is less than 40 mins travel. They both deserve a look if you have never been. Depending on the route you drive you could stop at these places before you travel the distance to Crystal River.
Hope this helps.
See you topside! John

 

[djb_1965]

Another vote for Rainbow River. Did the Crystal River once, vis was terrible, and this from a midwest diver. I absolutely love Rainbow.

 

[deeper thoughts]

We love the Best Western, Birds Underwater dive shop is excellent. Make sure you do the 3 sisters springs for great manatee encounters. We usually rent boats right from the dive shop at Best Western(the boats have seen better days but it is only a 10 minute idle only trip)

 

[AfterDark]

We dived the Crystal River and Rainbow River last year. We used Adventure Diving Crystal River FL 34428 WWW.adventurediving.org 1-866-518-1530

The Manatees in Crystal River where there by the hundreds! Three Sisters Spring was the best spot. The vis isn't bad except for the many non-divers fining around kicking things up.

Rainbow River was fantastic! The vis was unlimited. The current is strong but can be swam against. I'd like to go back this coming Feb with my SCUBA gear. Last year I was recovering from shoulder surgery so only snorkeled. Adventure Diving was more like a taxi service, get ya to the dive site and wait while you do your thing.

 

[renalea]

We used American Pro Diving Center (had actually booked a manatee trip online with another center and, after being turned off by their rudeness, walked out, drove down the road, saw American Pro and stopped in) and had such a great time, we stay 2 extra nights. We had just pinned a one day dive trip onto the end of a Disney trip with the kids and ended up staying in American Pro's lodging on the Homosassa River, where we swam with manatees right in front of the cabin. They took us to the Rainbow River, where we just went with the current until reaching the exit point. It was so relaxing after the crowds at Disney! The kids snorkeled along with us and had a great time. That was a few years ago, but hopefully its still as nice as it was then. Maybe we loved it so much because we hated Disney World!

 

[scubaskipper]

You didn't mention when you are coming. If the trip is for the manatees, better make sure you are there when it is COLD or you will be disappointed. Diving in Crystal River is at King's Spring, small cavern and the bowel has maybe three days a month, in the winter, when the viz. is more than a few inches. New rules will be coming out in the next few weeks from FWC about the three sisters area. Rainbow is more a snorkel and Blue Grotto and Devil's Den are dives.