Blue Springs and Alexander Springs

[captain]

I think it is the other way around, Captain. Alexander is in Ocala National Forest. Blue is a state park. I was checking out things on the web about both springs and Blue Springs State Park has received a number of bad reviews concerning the rudeness of the staff and the unpleasant experiences of many visitors whether they were divers or not.

I had originally intended to stay at the Blue Springs campground but have changed my mind. My cousin told me about a nice RV park near him and I have contacted them for reservations.

Alexander Springs looks rather attractive from what I have been able to see on the web. But none of the web sites say if air is available at the springs or how far it is to go for air.

Devil's Den looks to be good for a day of diving, too.

I would really appreciate any further info you guys can offer. I want this trip to be a good memory maker for my boys.

Senior moment, you are correct about Alexander being in the national forest and is the one I prefer between the two but both can get boring fast as do most springs.
Saltwater is where it's at.

 

[drrich2]

Think of Alexander Spring as a shallow pond-like water body, with a rather small central 'spring' that goes down about 26 feet. Most of the water body is shallow enough to more rightly be called a snorkel site. Now, if you guys like viewing fish (e.g.: bass, sunfish, gar, bowfin) and turtles, it can be fun to work the perimeter. It's just that as a 'scuba dive,' you will go down the hole and back up in maybe 5 or 10 minutes, then have a snorkel. I had fun, but my wife, friend & I like 'field herping' for turtles and such.

Go up in the day when there are plenty of people there and I suspect you're less likely to see a big gator, if the thought is worrisome. When we went, see say a maybe 4 footer in the vegetation near shore.

Here's a link to a photo gallery with discussion from our trip to Alexander Spring. It may help you get an idea what's involved.

Richard.

 

[Paladin]

I am a fish feeder. I have spent many happy dives just sitting on the bottom in 20 feet of water or less with a can of Cheez Whiz or a couple of jars of salmon eggs hidden in a cloud of fish.

 

[moneysavr]

My sons are both PADI certified. It's just that Ginnie Springs has a minimum age of 12 yrs. and my youngest won't be 12 until September.

My son loves Blue Grotto,just down the street from Devils Den he like your son is JOW at 10 now 11 , Blue Grotto has a air bell,great platforms and fish,turtles to see and ease of access!
Devils Den is always our second stop, but as said the state parks are great on the NW side of Florida,Troy Springs,Manatee, all are hits with my son and me and the entry price is cheap you can hit several spots.Manatee has lots of fish,Troy turtles and deeper.but just great to get new divers as you have in for safe fun skills! were on the way down in two weeks but sadly at this time some of the springs along the swanee seemed to be flooded-so call first before you make the drive but Devils den and Blue Grotto are unaffected.
One tip get up real early and beat the sleepy heads visibility is best at opening! and bring a lunch along a great way to spend some priceless time with the kids as they grow up way too fast!

I am a vintage diver to-still got to get my pal to vouch for me and get the card!
Dive safe and take some vintage along great place to try it out,Did weeki wachiee several years back with the vintage group and had a blast!
Brad
p.s. the cheese wiz did not do the trick like on our small mouth up this way guess the got too much to eat in the springs!

 

[Paladin]

Hmm. Cheez Whiz has always worked for me, at least in the waters where I usually dive. If the fish don't want the Cheez Whiz, try those little jars of salmon eggs like you buy at bait shops. Just open the lid a little and let just a few eggs out at a time.

Here is a video about divers feeding Cheex Whiz to fish at Vortex Springs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMEe6XrZKMg

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

Alexander is in Ocala National Forest. Blue is a state park. I was checking out things on the web about both springs and Blue Springs State Park has received a number of bad reviews concerning the rudeness of the staff and the unpleasant experiences of many visitors whether they were divers or not.

I had originally intended to stay at the Blue Springs campground but have changed my mind. My cousin told me about a nice RV park near him and I have contacted them for reservations.

Alexander Springs looks rather attractive from what I have been able to see on the web. But none of the web sites say if air is available at the springs or how far it is to go for air.

Devil's Den looks to be good for a day of diving, too.

I would really appreciate any further info you guys can offer. I want this trip to be a good memory maker for my boys.

Alexander springs is a popular site with our Scuba Club (Lake Mary Scuba Club) yes, it's a national park site. It makes for a fun experience. I recommend you do this on the first day of diving. you can set up close to the water (I suggest you use a wagon to haul gear from the parking lot) your cousin & family can swim/snorkel above you as you dive. BBQ pits and tables are available near the water. there is lots of fresh water life to watch and the perch will swim right up to your mask!

Blue Springs is another popular site with our Scuba Club. There is a lot of walking involved to get to the site and the actual dive is pretty much diving into a hole of crystal clear water and strong vertical flow. The drift to the exit is worth the trip. Both Alexander and Blue will get substantially crowded once school is out and I suggest you plan to be at the gate when they open if you want to make sure you get into the parks.

The reports about rangers/employees being rude are exaggerated. During the 4 years I've been diving there I have been treated with Courtesy and Kindness 100% of the time!


If you are looking at Devil's Den, move your camp and stay over night and dive Blue Grotto (about 5 miles away) too.

send me a PM when you get here and I'll try to join you at Blue Spr.

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

I am a fish feeder. I have spent many happy dives just sitting on the bottom in 20 feet of water or less with a can of Cheez Whiz or a couple of jars of salmon eggs hidden in a cloud of fish.

Biscuit dough works best at Alexander Springs.

 

[Paladin]

We will be in the Deltona area from 7/10/10 to 7/19/10. The first few days will spent at Sea World and Disney World. After that, we're hitting the springs!

F-C, I will most certainly drop you a PM when we're ready to go diving.

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

Gators aren't an issue other than during mating season when they sometimes close the spring to prevent people from disturbing the gators.

This won't be an issue in July.

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

We will be in the Deltona area from 7/10/10 to 7/19/10. . . .F-C, I will most certainly drop you a PM when we're ready to go diving.

Follow the link to our club site, there are lots of pics from all the sites discussed in this thread.