We are going to Florida Springs in 2026! Join us for 4 days & 3 nights of amazing diving at one of the most popular dive destinations on the East Coast.
Nestled amid North-Central Florida’s lush landscape, the freshwater springs around the Gainesville–Alachua region offer a remarkable diving and snorkelling experience. The constant ~72 °F water, unparalleled clarity, and surreal underwater scenery make them a favorite for stealthy exploration and pure fun.
These springs rise from the vast Floridan aquifer and feed rivers, creating tranquil, spring-fed pools and runs. For divers and snorkelers alike, the environment offers something different from coastal dives: minimal current, pristine freshwater, sunlight filtering through open water, and a chance to float in clear, cool water far from the ocean. As noted by Visit Florida: “to dive or snorkel in Florida’s springs is to experience an other-worldly sensation, a weightless flight through an underwater garden shaped by water clear as a lens…
For our trip, we’ll be operating out of the Alachua / Gainesville area, which means easy access to multiple springs (both dramatic and calm), comfortable accommodations, gear support, and plenty of downtime for non-diver companions.
The town of Alachua, Florida (just northwest of Gainesville) is a smart choice for this trip for several reasons. It’s compact, accessible and offers a delightful balance of small-town charm and proximity to the region’s famed spring systems.
From here we can reach the springs in 30-60 minutes, spend full days in the water, and return to a comfortable base each evening. That means fewer long drives, more flexibility for second sessions (or non-diver activities), and a better overall rhythm for a multi-day trip.
Moreover, because Alachua is less crowded than major resort hubs, we can focus on the diving and swimming experience rather than dealing with heavy tourist traffic or resort bustle. The local setting enables the kind of group-friendly, relaxed environment that we prioritize at our shop.
We’ll be staying at a budget friendly central location in Alachua, Florida. When you’re not in the water, the area around Alachua offers plenty of engaging options — from scenic outdoor outings to historic streets and unique local experiences. Here are a few highlights:
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park – A green-shaded preserve with hiking, biking and horse-riding trails winding through diverse ecosystems right near Alachua. alachuachamber.com
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park – A historic savanna with expansive vistas, wild bison and horses, and observation towers offering panoramic views of the region. familyrvingmag.com
Historic Main Street of Alachua – A perfect place for a stroll, some local dining, boutique shopping or simply soaking in the community atmosphere. alachuachamber.com
Natural Spring Options & Swimming Holes – For those who prefer relaxing swims or snorkeling non-dive zones, local springs like Poe Springs Park deliver gentle, clear-water sessions in a more family-friendly setting. blog.rrchinc.com
Together, these attractions make the Alachua area an ideal mix of adventure-day and chill-evening for both divers and non-divers in our group.
Nestled just outside Williston, Florida, Devil’s Den is a truly unique freshwater spring adventure. Its story begins with a prehistoric setting — a collapsed limestone roof reveals a striking underground chamber holding ruin-clear waters that hold a constant ~72 °F year-round.
Once you arrive, you’ll descend to a platform at the breathing pool of the spring. Above you, sunlight beams through the opening; below you, the water invites you in.
This site is fantastic for divers and snorkelers alike who are looking to experience something off the beaten path. With the impressive mushroom-shaped cavern, ancient rock formations and fossil beds dating back to the Pleistocene era, the atmosphere here is part exploration, part tranquility.
Just a short drive from Devil’s Den, Blue Grotto is a private dive-spring resort offering clear water, dramatic depth and an open-water cavern experience that appeals to divers at many levels.
Here’s what makes Blue Grotto special: the site is essentially the spring side of an in-line sinkhole, offering an open-water platform with staggered depths and an air-bell feature that gives a unique “ballroom cavern” feel. For our purposes (non-cave), you can enjoy the upper zones comfortably as a certified open-water diver, in a setting that feels adventurous yet accessible.
At the bottom of Blue Grotto there is a cave system. Divers are NOT ALLOWED to enter this cave system unless they are properly certified and equipped. Your dive guide will provide an on-site briefing explaining the layout of the springs and what counts as open water vs cavern/cave.
We saved the most advanced. diving experience for last. Ginnie Springs is a fan-favorite freshwater adventure destination thanks to its splendid clarity, relaxed vibe and accessibility. Located on the Santa Fe River, it offers seven interconnected crystal-clear springs, all holding ~72 °F year-round water.
While known for scuba diving and cave options, for our trip we’ll focus on the accessible, open-water spring experience — scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, free diving and just soaking in the vibe.
For divers that wish to experience the ballroom (a cavern dive with a max depth of 50′), overhead training is highly recommended. Dive lights are generally not allowed to prevent divers from accidentally entering caves, however the ballroom is a closed cavern. There are 2 sections to the ballroom, the. upper (right by the entrance) and the lower, which is within light limits. Your dive guide will brief you on the site the morning of the dive. For those who don’t wish to enter, no worries.. this spring system runs directly into the tannic filled Santa Fe river. While diving in the river is not advisable, you get to experience the mixing of tea-stained red water with the crystel clear blue-green spring water.
No Florida springs trip would be complete without a gentle-giant encounter — and swimming (or snorkeling) with the iconic Florida manatee is as memorable as they come. While our primary springs focus above don’t specialize in massive congregations of manatees, we’ll build in a dedicated session (typically early morning) to link with a site or tour operator dedicated to manatee encounters.
What makes this kayaking/snorkel/swim experience special:
Manatees seek out warm spring-fed waters in winter (typically November–April) when Gulf or coastal waters cool. That means prime manatee-encounter season aligns beautifully with a spring-trip itinerary.
A swim with manatees is observational — you float, snorkel or swim slowly and let the animals approach you, rather than chase them or initiate contact.
Trip logistics & guidelines:
Important rules:
Do not chase, touch or feed the manatees
Stay at surface level, float calmly and let the manatees come to you.
Avoid kicking, splashing or making loud underwater noises that might disturb the animals.
Even though the water is “warm” for a spring (~72 °F), a wetsuit or thermal layer is recommended for comfort.
This is a “bucket-list” moment — we encourage participants to bring underwater cameras or GoPros, but also to simply enjoy the moment rather than only capturing photos.
* Unless specified, rates are for double occupancy per week
¹ Please CALL the shop directly to book a non-diver spot.