best spring dives?

[slingshot]

Hi folks:

I'm a left-coaster planning my first ever trip to Florida, probably in January, and would like to dive in some fresh water springs. I am not cave certified, just AOW with a few certs (eg nitrox). I have done some cavern dives. I'd love to hear recommendations for good dives, particularly in central florida (as we're going to be in that area to snorkel with manatees), for someone with a beginning to intermediate range of diving experience.

If you have a favorite swim-with-the-manatee op, I'd love to hear your input as well. Gotta love the manatee, almost as much as the frogfish...

Slingshot

 

[FSUgly]

Hey slingshot, as far as snorkeling with the manatees, it is awesome! I've only done it once, and I went with American Pro Diving Center in Crystal River ( http://www.americanprodiving.com/ ). I was happy with them, and give them my recommendation. We (myself, my sister and bro-in-law) were the only divers on the boat with about 15 snorkelers, so when the snorkle with the manatees was over, they dropeed off the snorkelers and we went on a guided dive of King Spring. It was pretty cool. We also did a night drift dive down the Rainbow River with them. We were put out upstream, the boat puts a light in the water, and you basically follow the light. My max depth was 19ft, and you can't really get lost because you have a river bank on your left and right, and swimming upstream is a bit strenuous

The only other spring I have been in down that way is Blue Grotto ( http://www.divebluegrotto.com ). It is pretty cool, as well.

Hope others will be able to give you more info on Central Florida Springs

 

[aquaholic901]

Ginnie Springs is very nice as well. There are some massive cave systems for those trained to explore them. OW divers can drop down to the entrance of the Devils Eye / Devils Ear system then drift down the Santa Fe river to Ginnie Springs and explore the full cavern there. Its a bit pricey at $26 for divers but well worth it at least once, especially if you've never seen anything like it before. Devil's Den is also kind of neat but mostly just because of the uniqueness of the site rather than anything in the water. Check it out at http://www.devilsden.com/default.htm

 

[SunHound]

Hi

I have been to Rainbow River and Blue Grotto springs the last two weekends certifying my 14 year old son, and all I can say is, go on a weekday! Weekends are very crowded. Devil’s Den is also in the same (Williston, Fl) area. They all have web sites you can visit.

Rent a canoe and go down the Weeki-wachee river. (www.floridacanoe.com) It’s very shallow, take your snorkel stuff. The first hour is pristine. If you’re lucky, you might meet several manatee and it will become an “E-ticket” ride. The water is clear and sweet and very “refreshing”. You can dive at the head too, but I never have.

Crystal River is a larger complex. You can spend a couple of days poking around the river and springs. I would try the Plantation Inn Resort (http://www.crystalriverdivers.com/) and rent a john boat. They have a full service dive shop and more. Once again, it’s pretty crowded in the springs on weekends. I don’t know Homosassa personally, but it gets a lot of ink and it's only a few miles to the South.

Other springs I know but are not that large or deep and, IMO are snorkel trips.
Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs in the Ocala Forest come to mind. Manatee Springs to the West.

Also, consider the Conch Republic (Florida Keys) only five hours from Central FL to Pennekamp if you drive at night. http://www.pennekamp.com/ See them while there is barely something left.

Hope this helps

 

[BadLatitude]

here is a pic from blue grotto

 

[NitroRoo]

one of my favorites is "Hospital Hole" It's on the Weeki Wachee, ~140ft deep.

 

[jeandiver]

one of my favorites is "Hospital Hole" It's on the Weeki Wachee, ~140ft deep.

140 FEET??? :11:

Jean

 

[slingshot]

Hi everyone:

Thanks for all the input. I've been spelunking a bit on the net and have looked into the sites you mentioned. I found a website called floridacaves.com (I've no affiliation with them) which also seems to be an extensive listing of options, with indications as to which would be suitable for OW types like myself, and which would me better tackled by trained cave divers. I've heard about American Pro Divers and will check them out.

The only manatees I've ever seen were at Sea World in San Diego. They did seem to enjoy their lettuce! I wonder how deep a manatee can dive?

 

[Bill51]

The fastest way to see manatee and the only way I’ve had them all over me with scuba is to work on my boat in shallow water in my canal. Once you get the bottom stirred up and vis goes below 2’ the suckers come in and start bumping you to see what you’re doing – and sometimes they bump hard enough to hurt. While technically illegal, the only way to get your work done at that point is drop a garden hose over the other side of the boat so they’ll go play in the fresh water and leave you alone.