Spring Dives in North Florida

[thatstaken]

I am trying to plan a trip down to Florida to do some springs diving with a friend from college after finals week and was looking for some suggestions on cheap springs to dive. We are looking to go around Ginnie springs and are just looking for some cheap dives to get in. I know of Devils Den and Blue Grotto, but they both charge expensive entry fees. Does anyone have any suggestions on some cheap dives in the area?

 

[WetRocks]

If you are looking for free/cheap, you need to try some of our public sites as opposed to the for-profit ones.

Sounds like you are looking for Open Water spring dives? If so, here are a few options off of I-75 to check out:

Orange Grove - Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. $4 / vehicle admission
Troy Spring - Troy Springs State Park. $4 / vehicle admission
Alexander Spring - Ocala National Forest.

Enjoy!

 

[Fossil_Diver]

Hospital Hole in Weeki Wachee river is interesting with a sulfide cloud layer at about 75' and a total depth of 150'.
Rainbow River is a nice relaxing river drift dive with occasional otter sightings and lots of other wildlife. Both are free and camping is available too.
Manatees are congergating around Crystal river this time of year ans sightings are almost guaranteed.
I would suggest picking up a copy of Ned Delochs book Underwater Florida. It list hundredsof dive sites both on and off shore.

 

[kelemvor]

I'd also recommend Rainbow River in that area. K P Hole and the Rainbow River KP hole park is where you go. You pay a park entry fee and a small fee for a water taxi to ferry you up the river, then you drift back down to the park and get out. Easy diving, very fun the first couple times you do it. There's a small cavern you can check out along the way.

I drove up to Troy spring one day only to find that the Boy Scouts had the place all to themselves that day. I was told it's pretty common for Troy to "fill up" for the day early, so if you go there - go early and be there when they open.

Also, maybe I'm wrong but I thought Peacock was limited to certified cave divers and cave students only.

 

[WetRocks]

Also, maybe I'm wrong but I thought Peacock was limited to certified cave divers and cave students only.

Orange Grove sink is open to OW divers. The other holes at Peacock are cavern/cave certified divers only.

 

[Fossil_Diver]

That's great Rainbow has a water taxi now. I used to have to bum a ride from the campground to get up river or use two cars to drop off and pick up like we used to do when tubing. Oh yeah, the tubing is a lot of fun too but maybe not so much during winter. Floating down a cold spring fed river with a cooler of beer on a hot summer day can be a lot of fun but keep it low key so the sheriff won't hassle you ;-)

 

[bamafan]

Troy Springs and Manatee are 2 other State Parks that are just a few bucks to get into

 

[Caveeagle]

Blue Hole (aka Jug) is limited to Cave and cavern certified divers, but its worth stopping by for a quick swim and snorkel. its a very cool spring.

Paradise is one of my favorites, but I think its $35 to get in, so not really on the 'cheap' list.

 

[kelemvor]

That's great Rainbow has a water taxi now. I used to have to bum a ride from the campground to get up river or use two cars to drop off and pick up like we used to do when tubing. Oh yeah, the tubing is a lot of fun too but maybe not so much during winter. Floating down a cold spring fed river with a cooler of beer on a hot summer day can be a lot of fun but keep it low key so the sheriff won't hassle you ;-)

They're sticklers about that stuff these days. I wouldn't even try it on rainbow. You can get a ticket for having a can of coke from what I hear.

OTOH, one of my dive buddies found a pot pipe recently on the bottom at rainbow... Thought he was a real bone head for bringing a used pipe with him to shore and then showing me in the park...

 

[soonerwink]

Manatee Springs State Park is cheap and 2 different spots to dive. You may even get to see an alligator while diving the catfish hotel there. I did a couple of years ago. I also enjoyed a nice relaxing dive down the Rainbow River. A water taxi is available to take you upstream and drop you off. I don't remember the price but it was cheap. I dove several of the usual Springs in the area you always hear about also, but enjoyed to cheaper ones just as much if not more. Plus there is a lot more marine life to see in State Parks.