From Devil’s Den to Paradise: Our Fall Spring Fling Scuba Diving Florida's Springs
There’s a special allure to Florida’s springs—a world hidden below the surface, where crystal-clear waters, surreal rock formations, and abundant wildlife create an almost magical experience. Recently, two friends and I set out on a diving adventure across some of the state’s most iconic springs, including Morrison Springs, Ginnie Springs, Blue Grotto, Devil’s Den, Rainbow River, Paradise Springs, and Manatee Springs. Each location offered something unique, from stunning caverns to encounters with freshwater fish and lush landscapes that felt like stepping into a natural paradise. Most of these springs also provide access to cave systems, though specialized cave training is required to explore beyond open-water areas.
Please note, as our group is not trained in this specialty we did not venture beyond our training level into any of the areas at the sites requiring cave certification.
Our first stop was Morrison Springs, where visibility stretched for what felt like miles, making it easy to spot fish and navigate the submerged limestone formations. Ginnie Springs brought a different thrill with its vibrant underwater ecosystems that flow into the gentle currents of the Santa Fe River. At Blue Grotto, we had the chance to descend deeper into a spring-fed cavern, while Devil’s Den took us back in time with its ancient rock formations and dramatic underwater lighting. Rainbow River offered a gentle drift dive, where we could relax and take in the lush surroundings, Paradise Springs is strata of prehistoric limestone that was once beneath the sea are clearly visible as you make your way around the large water filled room and at every turn more fossils are revealed, while Manatee Springs was teeming with wildlife and greenery that stretched all the way to the water's edge.
Whether you’re a freshwater enthusiast or someone seeking a new perspective on scuba diving, Florida’s springs offer an unforgettable experience. From the thrill of exploring caverns to the serene drift down Rainbow River, our trip through these iconic sites reminded us that adventure isn’t always in the ocean—it can be found in the calm, pristine waters of the springs, too. Water temperatures are constant year round. In the panhandle the water temperature remains 68 degrees and in the central part of the state it remains 72 degrees. 5mm wetsuits without hood or gloves keep us more than comfortable for the up to 90 min dives. We usually do this trip in the fall because the parks and springs are not very occupied. If you are one of the people that need a planned out trip, a trip like this would easily work. We however totally wing it and it works well.
Morrison Springs: A Diver’s Dream of Clarity
Our adventure kicked off with a day of diving at Morrison Springs located in the Florida Panhandle, where the water clarity was mesmerizing. Known for its near-perfect visibility, Morrison felt like diving in liquid glass. We explored the deep hole that leads to limestone rock formations and the entrance to the underwater cave system and swam through patches of sunlight filtering in from above. We were joined by a freediver enjoying the crystal clear water. Small freshwater fish darted around us, adding to the surreal experience. For divers, this site is perfect for taking in the sights with ease and spotting hidden crevices. Morrison Springs was the ideal first stop, setting the stage for the natural beauty Florida’s springs offer.
Ginnie Springs: A Lively Ecosystem in Motion
Next, we made our way to Ginnie Springs, one of the most famous springs in Florida with some of the clearest water we have ever dived for a day of diving. The main attractions here were the upper Devil’s Spring System consisting of “Little” Devil, Devil’s Eye, and Devil’s Ear; Santa Fe River, and Ginnie Spring.
“Little” Devil is a fracture at the head of the Devil’s Spring System run. It runs roughly 25 feet long and deep. Looking up from the bottom of this crack we are rewarded with a breath-taking view looking skyward. Again we were joined by a freediver enjoying the sights. Further down the Devil’s Spring System run is Devil’s Eye which is a circular hole and is roughly 20 feet across and deep. At the bottom is the entrance to a small, intricately decorated cavern and one of the entrances to the cave system. Devil’s Ear is a canyon-like opening where the Devil Spring System run joins the Santa Fe River. At the bottom of this opening is another entrance to the cave system. The water gushes from a cave opening with a lot of force. The water in the Devil’s Ear coming from the cave is crystal clear. However, tannin-stained river water flows into the top making a very cool sight here too. We stayed here a while playing in the flow and watching the cave divers head into the cave system.
The Santa Fe River flows gently and creates a peaceful current that made it a scenic underwater drift. Our plan was to drift roughly 1000 feet down to the feed from Ginnie Spring as we have done in the past. However, with the challenging weather Florida had received the weeks before, downed trees blocked our way and turned us around. The defined interface between the crystal clear spring and the tannin-stained river water is a very interesting sight. Plenty of turtles and fish, including freshwater flounder, bass, and mullet, provided us with entertainment.
Ginnie Spring contains a hole measuring roughly 100 feet across and 15 feet deep and then flows into the Santa Fe River. At the bottom of the hole is the entrance to the Ballroom. We explored the Ballroom cavern, which is open to all divers and perfect for capturing the magic of cavern diving. At the very back of the Ballroom is a large, welded grate. This grate prevents divers from entering the cave system that lies beyond. We lined ourselves up with the “in-your-face” force of the water flow and rode the flow.
Ginnie Springs’ gin clear, lively waters made it a favorite of the group for both the serene drift dives and the beauty of its vibrant ecosystem.
Blue Grotto: The Cavern Adventure
The next day we started the morning with a trip to Blue Grotto which offered a different kind of thrill with its deeper cavern, giving us a taste of technical diving while remaining accessible to all certified divers. The grotto's highlight was the breathtakingly blue water and the deeper sections, which took us to around 60 feet. Like many other springs, this led to an additional entrance into the cave system below. The dive site even has an air bell at 30 feet where we could briefly surface and chat, an unusual and fun feature. We spent a lot of time on the upper platforms being entertained by the bluegills and the resident soft shell turtle Virgil. Blue Grotto felt like a journey into the earth’s core, with an air of mystery that made it one of the more memorable stops.
Devil’s Den: An Ancient, Otherworldly Scene
The afternoon sent us over to our next stop. Devil’s Den took us back in time, diving in a prehistoric setting like something out of an adventure movie. The spring is set inside a subterranean cavern, with a natural light source filtering down from an opening above, illuminating the blue water. The rock formations and fossilized remains embedded in the stone made this dive unforgettable. Devil’s Den felt truly unique, with a vibe that was both eerie and enchanting. It’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate the ancient history of the Earth right below the surface.
Rainbow River: A Tranquil Drift Through Nature
The following morning we continued our Fall Spring Fling. Rainbow River was a change of pace, offering a gentle guided drift dive that let us relax and simply float with the current. A water taxi carried us upstream, where we began our peaceful drift, watching vibrant plant life sway below and spotting musk turtles, softshell turtles, and various fish cruising alongside. This dive was all about the natural scenery—lush green surroundings above water, and clear, shimmering views below. At one point we stopped on a rock and took in a very cool sight. A large school of alligator gar, sometimes described as living fossils, hover around at this spot. Rainbow River’s slow-moving current made it a peaceful and almost meditative experience, with no need to do much except enjoy the view.
Paradise Springs: Hidden Depths and Abundant Wildlife
The afternoon sent us over to a great location. Tucked away and a bit off the beaten path, Paradise Springs lived up to its name.
From Devil’s Den to Paradise: Our Fall Spring Fling Scuba Diving Florida's Springs
There’s a special allure to Florida’s springs—a world hidden below the surface, where crystal-clear waters, surreal rock formations, and abundant wildlife create an almost magical experience. Recently, two friends and I set out on a diving adventure across some of the state’s most iconic springs, including Morrison Springs, Ginnie Springs, Blue Grotto, Devil’s Den, Rainbow River, Paradise Springs, and Manatee Springs. Each location offered something unique, from stunning caverns to encounters with freshwater fish and lush landscapes that felt like stepping into a natural paradise. Most of these springs also provide access to cave systems, though specialized cave training is required to explore beyond open-water areas.
Please note, as our group is not trained in this specialty we did not venture beyond our training level into any of the areas at the sites requiring cave certification.
Our first stop was Morrison Springs, where visibility stretched for what felt like miles, making it easy to spot fish and navigate the submerged limestone formations. Ginnie Springs brought a different thrill with its vibrant underwater ecosystems that flow into the gentle currents of the Santa Fe River. At Blue Grotto, we had the chance to descend deeper into a spring-fed cavern, while Devil’s Den took us back in time with its ancient rock formations and dramatic underwater lighting. Rainbow River offered a gentle drift dive, where we could relax and take in the lush surroundings, Paradise Springs is strata of prehistoric limestone that was once beneath the sea are clearly visible as you make your way around the large water filled room and at every turn more fossils are revealed, while Manatee Springs was teeming with wildlife and greenery that stretched all the way to the water's edge.
Whether you’re a freshwater enthusiast or someone seeking a new perspective on scuba diving, Florida’s springs offer an unforgettable experience. From the thrill of exploring caverns to the serene drift down Rainbow River, our trip through these iconic sites reminded us that adventure isn’t always in the ocean—it can be found in the calm, pristine waters of the springs, too. Water temperatures are constant year round. In the panhandle the water temperature remains 68 degrees and in the central part of the state it remains 72 degrees. 5mm wetsuits without hood or gloves keep us more than comfortable for the up to 90 min dives. We usually do this trip in the fall because the parks and springs are not very occupied. If you are one of the people that need a planned out trip, a trip like this would easily work. We however totally wing it and it works well.
Morrison Springs: A Diver’s Dream of Clarity
Our adventure kicked off with a day of diving at Morrison Springs located in the Florida Panhandle, where the water clarity was mesmerizing. Known for its near-perfect visibility, Morrison felt like diving in liquid glass. We explored the deep hole that leads to limestone rock formations and the entrance to the underwater cave system and swam through patches of sunlight filtering in from above. We were joined by a freediver enjoying the crystal clear water. Small freshwater fish darted around us, adding to the surreal experience. For divers, this site is perfect for taking in the sights with ease and spotting hidden crevices. Morrison Springs was the ideal first stop, setting the stage for the natural beauty Florida’s springs offer.
Ginnie Springs: A Lively Ecosystem in Motion
Next, we made our way to Ginnie Springs, one of the most famous springs in Florida with some of the clearest water we have ever dived for a day of diving. The main attractions here were the upper Devil’s Spring System consisting of “Little” Devil, Devil’s Eye, and Devil’s Ear; Santa Fe River, and Ginnie Spring.
“Little” Devil is a fracture at the head of the Devil’s Spring System run. It runs roughly 25 feet long and deep. Looking up from the bottom of this crack we are rewarded with a breath-taking view looking skyward. Again we were joined by a freediver enjoying the sights. Further down the Devil’s Spring System run is Devil’s Eye which is a circular hole and is roughly 20 feet across and deep. At the bottom is the entrance to a small, intricately decorated cavern and one of the entrances to the cave system. Devil’s Ear is a canyon-like opening where the Devil Spring System run joins the Santa Fe River. At the bottom of this opening is another entrance to the cave system. The water gushes from a cave opening with a lot of force. The water in the Devil’s Ear coming from the cave is crystal clear. However, tannin-stained river water flows into the top making a very cool sight here too. We stayed here a while playing in the flow and watching the cave divers head into the cave system.
The Santa Fe River flows gently and creates a peaceful current that made it a scenic underwater drift. Our plan was to drift roughly 1000 feet down to the feed from Ginnie Spring as we have done in the past. However, with the challenging weather Florida had received the weeks before, downed trees blocked our way and turned us around. The defined interface between the crystal clear spring and the tannin-stained river water is a very interesting sight. Plenty of turtles and fish, including freshwater flounder, bass, and mullet, provided us with entertainment.
Ginnie Spring contains a hole measuring roughly 100 feet across and 15 feet deep and then flows into the Santa Fe River. At the bottom of the hole is the entrance to the Ballroom. We explored the Ballroom cavern, which is open to all divers and perfect for capturing the magic of cavern diving. At the very back of the Ballroom is a large, welded grate. This grate prevents divers from entering the cave system that lies beyond. We lined ourselves up with the “in-your-face” force of the water flow and rode the flow.
Ginnie Springs’ gin clear, lively waters made it a favorite of the group for both the serene drift dives and the beauty of its vibrant ecosystem.
Blue Grotto: The Cavern Adventure
The next day we started the morning with a trip to Blue Grotto which offered a different kind of thrill with its deeper cavern, giving us a taste of technical diving while remaining accessible to all certified divers. The grotto's highlight was the breathtakingly blue water and the deeper sections, which took us to around 60 feet. Like many other springs, this led to an additional entrance into the cave system below. The dive site even has an air bell at 30 feet where we could briefly surface and chat, an unusual and fun feature. We spent a lot of time on the upper platforms being entertained by the bluegills and the resident soft shell turtle Virgil. Blue Grotto felt like a journey into the earth’s core, with an air of mystery that made it one of the more memorable stops.
Devil’s Den: An Ancient, Otherworldly Scene
The afternoon sent us over to our next stop. Devil’s Den took us back in time, diving in a prehistoric setting like something out of an adventure movie. The spring is set inside a subterranean cavern, with a natural light source filtering down from an opening above, illuminating the blue water. The rock formations and fossilized remains embedded in the stone made this dive unforgettable. Devil’s Den felt truly unique, with a vibe that was both eerie and enchanting. It’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate the ancient history of the Earth right below the surface.
Rainbow River: A Tranquil Drift Through Nature
The following morning we continued our Fall Spring Fling. Rainbow River was a change of pace, offering a gentle guided drift dive that let us relax and simply float with the current. A water taxi carried us upstream, where we began our peaceful drift, watching vibrant plant life sway below and spotting musk turtles, softshell turtles, and various fish cruising alongside. This dive was all about the natural scenery—lush green surroundings above water, and clear, shimmering views below. At one point we stopped on a rock and took in a very cool sight. A large school of alligator gar, sometimes described as living fossils, hover around at this spot. Rainbow River’s slow-moving current made it a peaceful and almost meditative experience, with no need to do much except enjoy the view.
Paradise Springs: Hidden Depths and Abundant Wildlife
The afternoon sent us over to a great location. Tucked away and a bit off the beaten path, Paradise Springs lived up to its name.
This was our first time diving this privately owned spring. We had the dive site all to ourselves. Unlike many springs open to divers there is no large pool and no stream or run flowing from it. Paradise Springs is a “Karst Window” – an opening to an underground stream. You and I both have learned something new with that tidbit! With natural light filtering through the entrance, this site felt ethereal. Descending through the narrow opening led to a larger area where we could see fossils embedded in the walls and ceiling. At one point, all three of us were floating flat looking at the ceiling for a long time, checking out the fossils and watching the flow of our bubbles along the ceiling.The cavern leads down to 100 feet whereas with other springs, it leads into a more challenging cave. The tranquility only broken by the sound of our bubbles was extremely relaxing. The peaceful beauty of this site made it a serene stop on our journey and my personal favorite.
Manatee Springs: Nature’s Unspoiled Sanctuary
Our final stop on the last day was Manatee Springs, a truly tranquil location surrounded by cypress trees and greenery. This spring has become our de facto last dive site before we head back north. There are two separate dive spots in the park, Catfish Hotel and Manatee Springs mainspring with a cave system connecting the two. Catfish Hotel is an offset sinkhole about 125 feet across and 50 feet deep hidden beneath duckweed. As your bubbles hit the surface, it creates an opening in the duckweed allowing the sun to shine through creating some pretty cool sights. In the mainspring, the water is famously clear, and the feeling of floating among the ancient cypress roots was surreal. We didn’t spot manatees as they’re more common in winter. We enjoyed gliding alongside fish in the crystal-clear water. As with Ginnie Springs, there is an opportunity to ride the flow coming out of the cave. Manatee Springs felt like a natural sanctuary, a quiet ending to our dive tour and a reminder of the untouched beauty that Florida’s springs offer.
Wrap-Up
Diving in Florida’s springs was a journey into a tranquil, often overlooked world—one where clarity and calm replace the rush of ocean currents, and each site has its own unique character. From the crystal-clear waters of Morrison Springs to the ancient allure of Devil’s Den, each dive felt like a fresh discovery, filled with serene landscapes, hidden caverns, and glimpses of local wildlife. Our adventure through these springs reminded us that Florida’s beauty isn’t just in its beaches; it’s hidden in the springs, too.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a nature lover looking for something new, the springs offer an unforgettable, peaceful escape beneath the surface. With memories of drift dives, ancient rock formations, and quiet moments surrounded by nature, I know I’ll be back to explore even more of these hidden gems. If you’re ready to dive in, Florida’s springs are waiting, full of secrets to share.
This was our first time diving this privately owned spring. We had the dive site all to ourselves. Unlike many springs open to divers there is no large pool and no stream or run flowing from it. Paradise Springs is a “Karst Window” – an opening to an underground stream. You and I both have learned something new with that tidbit! With natural light filtering through the entrance, this site felt ethereal. Descending through the narrow opening led to a larger area where we could see fossils embedded in the walls and ceiling. At one point, all three of us were floating flat looking at the ceiling for a long time, checking out the fossils and watching the flow of our bubbles along the ceiling.The cavern leads down to 100 feet whereas with other springs, it leads into a more challenging cave. The tranquility only broken by the sound of our bubbles was extremely relaxing. The peaceful beauty of this site made it a serene stop on our journey and my personal favorite.
Manatee Springs: Nature’s Unspoiled Sanctuary
Our final stop on the last day was Manatee Springs, a truly tranquil location surrounded by cypress trees and greenery. This spring has become our de facto last dive site before we head back north. There are two separate dive spots in the park, Catfish Hotel and Manatee Springs mainspring with a cave system connecting the two. Catfish Hotel is an offset sinkhole about 125 feet across and 50 feet deep hidden beneath duckweed. As your bubbles hit the surface, it creates an opening in the duckweed allowing the sun to shine through creating some pretty cool sights. In the mainspring, the water is famously clear, and the feeling of floating among the ancient cypress roots was surreal. We didn’t spot manatees as they’re more common in winter. We enjoyed gliding alongside fish in the crystal-clear water. As with Ginnie Springs, there is an opportunity to ride the flow coming out of the cave. Manatee Springs felt like a natural sanctuary, a quiet ending to our dive tour and a reminder of the untouched beauty that Florida’s springs offer.
Wrap-Up
Diving in Florida’s springs was a journey into a tranquil, often overlooked world—one where clarity and calm replace the rush of ocean currents, and each site has its own unique character. From the crystal-clear waters of Morrison Springs to the ancient allure of Devil’s Den, each dive felt like a fresh discovery, filled with serene landscapes, hidden caverns, and glimpses of local wildlife. Our adventure through these springs reminded us that Florida’s beauty isn’t just in its beaches; it’s hidden in the springs, too.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a nature lover looking for something new, the springs offer an unforgettable, peaceful escape beneath the surface. With memories of drift dives, ancient rock formations, and quiet moments surrounded by nature, I know I’ll be back to explore even more of these hidden gems. If you’re ready to dive in, Florida’s springs are waiting, full of secrets to share.
Gary Schollmann