Spring diving within an hour or two from Tampa

[vmsgeek]

We'll be near Tampa in late December, and would like to get a few dives in the springs, we just visited Rainbow River and Crystal River, and had a great time.

What other alternatives are within an hour or two driving from Tampa, keeping in mind we (my 12 year old son and I) are novice divers?

Thanks!

 

[Reef_Haven]

Troy Springs, Manatee Springs, Blue Grotto, and Devil's Den are all great for newly certified OW divers.

 

[vmsgeek]

Troy Springs, Manatee Springs, Blue Grotto, and Devil's Den are all great for newly certified OW divers.

Thanks! Going to look those up. Any feedback on Ginnie Springs?

 

[oceanbound]

Ginnie Springs is highly recommended. Love that place. I was just looking online about Devil's Den. I've been there a couple of times but seems their dive fee has gone up to $37. I don't think i'll be going again. Too much unless there is something really good there that i haven't seen the past 2 times. But everyone should go once. Ginnie Springs web site still says $22 and well worth it even if you are not a cave diver

 

[Dive-aholic]

Ginnie is $22 if you are full cave certified. Otherwise it is the higher price.

Florida Springs

 

[vmsgeek]

Ginnie is $22 if you are full cave certified. Otherwise it is the higher price.

I noticed that. Why is it more expensive for non-cavers?

 

[oceanbound]

yes, i went back to web site and it is $30 for non cave divers.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

Speaking of Devil's Den, I am not a local or knowledgeable "springs person," but I dived there as a fairly-beginner diver last December, and although I didn't find the dive itself super ultimate (although it was enjoyable), the immediate surrounding is pretty neat and (I would say) worth checking out.

To get to the water, you pass under a small arbor and then walk down a steep, curving stairway cut into rock walls. Then once you are diving there is still daylight/sunlight coming through a hole in the "roof" and making some pretty light-shafts in the water. It seemed pretty unique to me coming from reef diving.

I also really liked the whole "picnic table diving" method. Very relaxing compared to boat diving.

Camping on a night when it got down to 18ºF.... brrr -- good thing I had a stove, soup, and tea

Blue Sparkle

 

[Dive-aholic]

I noticed that. Why is it more expensive for non-cavers?

I have no idea. That's just the way it's been for a long time.