Spring Dives in Florida

Florida has some amazing ocean dive spots, but there are also some amazing spring dives in Florida. We don’t mean places to free dive in the springtime. No, Florida has numerous freshwater springs with crystal clear water that are great for freediving. The are by no means the deepest dives, and they can be quite dangerous to the inexperienced or foolhardy, but they do each offer something amazing to see.

In this article, Free Depth will explore 5 of these springs so that the next time you find yourself in Florida you can check out at least one of them. Florida is also a hotbed for free diving instruction and training, so why not pair your next course with some spring diving if you are fortunate enough to be in the area.

If you flying to Florida and are wondering how to take your fins, check our Free Depths article on just that topic.

Freedive with Manatees at Blue Springs

Blue Spring is located in Blue Spring State Park, in Orange City. The spring has a constant water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and crystal clear blue water.  While constant temperature and clear waters are a common feature on this list, Blue Springs resident giants are not. Blue Spring as of 2022 is home to over 700 manatees, which you may see on your dives.

Partially due to the popularity of seeing manatees Blue Springs State Park is often at capacity. When this is the case, visitors will not be allowed in the park unless they are camping or have a boating reservation. To ensure you have access either arrive early, or camp for a night.

As a state park there are certain requirements to free dive there. While there are no specific regulations regarding freediving there are regulations for snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling is not permitted with Manatees, and visitors are not permitted on spring banks. For Scuba divers, they must show proof of certification in their vehicle window, have dive buddy, not dive in caves or caverns, dive only to 50 feet unless otherwise certified, not carry lights, and keep 50 feet between themselves and manatees.

Free divers should try and follow a similar rule set to an open water scuba diver just in case there is a strict park official on the day of your visit.

As we are animal lovers here at Free Depth, Blue Springs is our favorite site for Spring dives in Florida.

Freedive Against the Current at Silver Glen Springs

Silver glens spring is a first magnitude spring located in the Ocala National Forest. Access to Silver s is via a Ocala National Forest Pass which will also grant access to Alexander Springs. No SCUBA diving or Diving is allowed in the spring in order to protect sensitive historical sites and ecology.

That means Silver Glen Springs is a perfect place to practice your no-fins free diving. You can bring your fins with you, but the maximum depth attainable is only 7 meters (20 feet). Don’t let the restrictions on diving dampen your desire to visit. The waters are crystal clear, and constant 73 degrees Fahrenheit. You will also be diving in the spring head itself, meaning swimming to the bottom will require you to swim against the current from upwelling water. The spring is almost a natural lap pool.

Visit Two Springs in One Day at Alexander Springs

Like Silver Glen Spring, Alexander Spring is located in Ocala National Forest. Alexander Spring is  a first magnitude spring and the easiest to access out of all  five springs on ur list. Its entrance is a gently sloping beach leading to clear blue waters with a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Alexander spring is the only swimming location in Ocala National Forest where SCUBA diving is permitted. The spring opening is quite large and readily accessible for free divers. There are also several swim throughs that can be undertaken if you have the requisite breath hold ability.

You might also be fortunate to see the occasional alligator, soft shell turtle, or snapping turtle during your time diving at Alexander spring. As such, exercise caution and stay alert.

Dive into A Blue Hole at Ichetucknee Springs

Located in Fort White, Ichetucknee Springs State Park has aquatic delights for free divers and swimmers alike. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972. Like many other spring dives in Florida, Ichetucknee Springs is located on lands traditionally held by First Nations Peoples of the state.

There are two separate springs in the park that are suitable for freediving, Head Springs and Blue Hole Spring. Head spring is shallower with several deep crevice’s. Due to its shallow edges, it is more popular for family groups. For free divers, we recommend Blue Hole Spring, with its crystal clear cyan waters, constant temperatures of 72 degrees and amazing sights. To catch a glimpse of the nearly 600 feet of caverns accessible from the spring mouth, you need to dive to at least 13 meters (40 Feet).

Blue Hole Spring is only first magnitude spring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Blue Hole Spring is also the only spring in the park that allows SCUBA divers.

One thing of important note at Blue Hole Spring is the large number of underground caverns that can be reached from the entrance to Blue Hole Spring. DO NOT FREEDIVE INTO THESE CAVERNS. Access to these cavern areas are restricted to certified cave/cavern SCUBA diver.

For pure freediving fun, Blue Hole spring is one of our top 3 favorite spring dives in Florida.

Follow in the Foot Steps of Cousteau at Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Spring is located in the town of High Springs, northwest of Gainsville. The spring flows into the Santa Fe River and is located in close proximity to several other springs.  Ginnie Springs is the only privately owned springs on this list and as such has less regulation.

The spring has very high clarity, and a constant water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit at the spring mouth.

Ginnie Spring became a very popular SCUAB site in the mid 1900’s. SO much so that even famed explore Jacque Cousteau once dove there, claiming that the spring had “Visibility Forever.” This popularity also lead to a large inclfux of inexperienced diver exploring the caverns accessible from the spring mouth. More than 20 divers have died exploring Ginnie Springs.

Due to the number of SCUBA death in the caverns of Ginnie Springs, the owners have placed a metal grate of the most dangerous cavern entrances and many warning signs. As with all the springs on our list, DO NOT dive alone.

Want more Free Diving?

Are you new to freediving and want more information on the sport? Are you a seasoned (salted) diver looking for your next dive spot? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, or any of the infinite freediving questions not listed above, why not check out some more Free Depth Content?

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