Florida Natural Springs Diving

[flash]

I know this has been covered before to a certain degree, but just for an updated version, I'm going to be driving through Florida in June all the way from Jasper to Port St Lucie and was hoping to stop at a few natural springs to do a dive or two on the way. I was just looking for any recommendations anybody might have.

I've read about Blue Grottto, Vortex, Devil's Den and Ginnie Springs, but I'm sure there are some I don't know about--not to mention, what do you think about these four? Thank you.

 

[K Mejean]

Hit Paradise Spring. It is a really cool dive. I wouldn't bother with Ginnie unless you are cave certified. It gets pretty boring pretty quick. Blue Grotto would be my second choice then Devils Den. I have never been to Vortex so I can't help you there.

 

[Reef]

If it's not blown out you may want to check out Troy Springs.

Blue Grotto I'll never do again. Vortex is fun. Ginnie, and Devils Den a ton of fun.

You may want to consider Rainbow River as well.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I think Ginnie Springs is definately worth hitting as an OW diver. The ballroom is great and the run can be interesting. You can still dive the Devils run without a light and that can be interesting, dropping down the vent at Little Devil, dropping down the OW portion of Devil's Eye and Ear as well as drifting the Sante Fe down to Ginnie's Run.

Paradise is great!

Devil's Den is also very very nice!

Blue Grotto... probably my least favorite of the bunch.

Troy Springs is fun and has a civil war era shipwreck inside the spring run.

Alexander Springs is very picturesque.

Vortex is a great training fascility and has some friendly fish and eels within, but it might be a little out of your way.

 

[ucfdiver]

I'm pretty sure Troy is blown out, if it's not, great dive. The cavern has baby catfish in it almost year round.

Ginnie's ballroom is great for OW divers. Blue grotto is a crappy cavern due to all the graffiti, but it's worth the dive if you've never seen a cavern before.

Paradise springs I hear is fun, I've been wanting to go.

Blue Hole in Orange county is OK, but you'll get arrested for carrying lights if even one of your dive buddies is OW (ask me how I know this!).

 

[Shcubasteve]

Hello, Im Steve. I live in Port st. Lucie and work at Deep Six in Jensen. There are many shore dives off of Martin and St lucie countys. My favorite is Ft Pierce Inlet but vis conditions can be hit or miss this time of year so call ahead. Blue heron bridge in Palm Beach is another great shore dive.. Charter boats are located in Jupiter and Palm Beach and go out every day of the week, weather permiting. Call Deep Six for more info on charter boats

Deep Six Jensen
772-692-2747

 

[flash]

Thanks for all the info--I appreciate it.

What do you guys mean when you say Troy Springs might be "blown out"?

 

[flash]

Blue Hole in Orange county is OK, but you'll get arrested for carrying lights if even one of your dive buddies is OW (ask me how I know this!).

Okay, how do you know this? Tell us the story, please.

Oh yeah, and to Steve, I think I've actually been to Deep Six in Jensen before. I'll be sure to check out the boat charters when I'm down there. Thanks.

 

[Stu S.]

Blue Hole in Orange county is OK, but you'll get arrested for carrying lights if even one of your dive buddies is OW (ask me how I know this!).

Hey, buddy. I've not heard of Blue Hole. A place where you can get arrested is Blue Springs State Park in Volusia County. Is that what you are mentioning?

Thanks / Stu

 

[eandiver]

Thanks for all the info--I appreciate it.

What do you guys mean when you say Troy Springs might be "blown out"?

The water level in the river has risen high enough to drop the visibility in the spring. At some sites that means instead of a normally clear out flow of water from the spring the river water is being drawn into the spring in what's termed a siphon.