It is estimated that approximately 40 species of coral and 600 species of fish live on Floridas coral reefs. were found here. These fifteen Floridian springs are some of the greatest for swimming and snorkeling, but the list could go on! The park is between two bridges teeming with fish and marine life: Blue Heron Bridge on the west side and a smaller bridge on the east. Want to just relax? It's also one of the only places in the world where you are able to swim with manatees (yes, it's safe to swim with these harmless, gentle giants). Even Hollywood filmmakers found Wakulla Springs worthy of prime time: "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941) and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954) were filmed here. Royal Springs is another beautiful swimming hole on the Suwannee River in north Florida. With swimming platforms and a dive tower, the park is a popular swimming spot. The Riviera Maya, in particular, offers an unequalled diversity of snorkeling spots. Please arrive early in the morning in order to make the most of the limited number of seats. As a general rule, water at Seven Sisters Spring is pretty shallow, only standing a foot deep in some spots. Peanut Island 8. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or inner-tubing, Weeki Wachee is the total package and grand finale of Floridas springs! Florida is home to over 700 natural springs, which are the most in the world. The 5 Best Florida Springs for Diving and Snorkeling, Scuba4Good and BLU3 Join Forces to Make Diving Accessible, BLU3s Nomad: The Game Changer for Tankless Diving. Fossils here date back to the Pleistocene Age, and some are on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History. You can take a swim in the crisp, clear spring water or go scuba diving into the deep blue. Located in the Ocala National Forest, the azure Alexander is one of the 33 first-magnitude springs in Florida. Snorkeling in Crystal River, Florida. Blue Hole at Ichetucknee Springs State Park Ichetucknee Springs State Park has a recreation area that is equipped with tables and grills within picnic areas. Work up a sweat in the park and then cool off in the springs for a perfect summer day in Florida. Theres even a campground if you want to extend your stay! Phil Foster Park in Southeast Florida is another great, no-boat-required saltwater snorkeling destination. Theres something for everyone on these top-rated beaches, from playground equipment on the beach to paddleboard rentals. With beautiful waters, amazing wildlife, and renowned fishing, Merritts Mill Pond is a great place to spend the day. You will find many tour agencies and dive clubs in Key Largo offering half-day or full-day boat tours in the region. Theres also an open, breezy boardwalk that follows the flow of the springwater so you can explore all the beauty this area has to offer.32. It can take your explorations deeper and longer. ), A post shared by Plantation on Crystal River (@plantationoncrystalriver). Recognized as one of the clearest springs in Florida, Ginnie Springs is a popular spring in North Florida and a hotspot for swimming, tubing, snorkeling, and diving. 1. The Best Southern Caribbean Island For Snorkeling: Moorea In French Polynesia, How To Choose The Right Wet Suit For Snorkeling, Why Firefighters Have Their Scuba Tanks Upside-Down: Exploring The Benefits And Risks, How Much Oxygen Is Inside A Scuba Tank? The spring is absolutely picturesque and takes stunning photography, perfect for Instagram. Visitors to Blue Spring can swim in the springs 72 degree waters all year, except in the winter, when the spring waters are a safe haven for manatees. The best Middle Keys tours are those to, In Key West, in the far south of the archipelago, you can snorkel from the beach at. Canoes, kayaks, and tubes are available to navigate the Ichetucknee River in the upper sections of the state park. The waters here were once called Acuera, or Healing Waters, by the Mayaca Indians who lived in the area.6. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park which only became a state park in 2017, making it Florida's 175th state park and still its newest contains six natural springs, the most prominent of which is Gilchrist Blue. (Hence the name. In fall and spring, the weather is hot and sunny, with a low rate of humidity and scattered showers. Alexander Springs is well-known for being the former home of the indigenous Timucuan people. Sombrero Reef Marathon. Divers can reach depths of up to 54 feet in the springs of Three Sisters Spring. In addition to having more than a mile of beach, Bill Baggs has a historic lighthouse with guided tours, restaurants, and trails and sea walls that are excellent for wildlife viewing. A large, wooden diving platform juts out over the deep blue, enticing its visitors to shout cannonball! and make a splash. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, but visitors can also enjoy tubing, paddling, swimming, or simply hiking the trails. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Because that temperature is on the cool side, we especially recommend this spot during the summer months! In the winter, the water temperature at the spring is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the summer, it is 92 degrees. Point of Rocks 2. Crystal Riverhot springs, constantly at 72.5F/22.5C, provide a unique warm haven for themanateeswho congregate there during the winter months. All three offer crystal clear waters, beautiful surroundings, and plenty of activities to keep you busy. So pack your sunscreen, towel, and unicorn floaties, and dive right in! After youve taken a swim, drip dry with a leisurely stroll along the 800-foot boardwalk, taking in the sights and sounds of the cypress forest. Filters 1. . Moreover, the place is open from sunrise to sunset, meaning you can spend an entire day snorkeling. Divers can swim alongside manatees at Three Sisters Spring and explore an underwater cave. Visitors can stand on the shelf, just up to their knees in water, and look down into the mouth of an underwater cavern! During the hot Florida summers, the free-flowing springs at Rock Springs at Kelly Park are an ideal spot to cool off. | Contact Us. The most popular snorkeling area is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles of mangroves and coral reefs. Its home to a snorkeling trail with boulders and artificial reef that host a variety of tropical fish, starfish, octopus, and more. Managed by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, the 15-acre park boasts . Part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the Three Sisters Spring is one of the most special springs in Florida. 2023 BLU3, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You might think of the ocean when you think of diving in Florida, but the state is also home to numerous stunning freshwater springs: crystal clear and filled with marine plants and animals just beckoning to be explored. Florida Top 10 snorkel spots: John Pennekamp Coral State Park. The recreation area has parking, toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. The first-magnitude, broad, and shallow spring basin is surrounded by 72 degrees of clear water, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and canoeing. Many of Floridas top springs have underwater winding systems. Peacock Springs is known for its labyrinth of underwater caverns, which meander in circles. Although shrouded by forest along its edges, Wacissa Springs provides a wide, open waterscape for swimming. Florida's your place. One of the best snorkeling spots in Florida is located 70 miles west of Key West. Little River Springs is one of the best springs in northern Florida. Bear in mind that the hurricane season, from August to October, can cut off access to the sea for long periods. Juniper Springs is tucked away in a subtropical area of palm and oak trees before being drained into Lake George. Must have certification and operate in pairs. Snorkelers have . Although the Spanish explorer probably never made it to Floridas Panhandle, hed likely be flattered by the many namesakes. From the kaleidoscopic coral reefs that fringe the Keys region, to the freshwater springs where manatees congregate in winter months, Florida offers you a variety of choices for your next snorkeling vacation. Devils Den, a prehistoric spring 30 minutes south of Gainesville, has a steam-rising stream that dates back 10,000 years. Bahia is about 37 miles from Key West and Pigeon Key is just a few miles farther. Address: 5271 State Road 19 in Salt Springs. The country offers dozens of snorkeling spots spread out along its expansive coastline, with a wide range of marine environments (), The beautiful coral reefs and pristine waters have made the three island of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman a favorite destination in the Caribbean. Crystal River is located along the west coast of Central Florida and is known for its handful of year-round warm water springs as well as its National Wildlife Refuge. All Rights Reserved. Fort Jefferson - Dry Tortugas National Park Looking for snorkeling beaches near me in Florida? The bottom of the spring is composed of limestone and waving fronds of aquatic grass. Alexander Springs Hart Springs De Leon Springs State Park Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Royal Springs Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Best Springs for Beauty These are some of Florida's most beautiful springs. It is popular with not just divers but also tubers, swimmers, and manatees. . With snorkeling accessible by beach, no boat is needed to experience the underwater habitats of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Which Florida Beaches have the clearest water? Blue Heron Bridge 9. Ichetucknee Springs is a great place to cool off in the summer months, while Rainbow Springs is perfect for a lazy float down the river. Rainbow Springs, which dates back 10,000 years, is located in Floridas panhandle. Seaplane arrangements can be made through Key West Seaplane Charters. The wildlife here differs from other springs, with amphipods (shrimp-like crustacea), isopods, and crayfish comprising some of the main residents. Devils Den is particularly unique because the blue waters of this prehistoric spring are located in an underground cave! You may not feel as old as you did before, but a dip in your Nemo will make you feel revitalized. If you are planning a snorkeling trip in Florida, we recommend the excellent Reef Fish Identification: Florida Caribbean Bahamas (also available in ebook), the reference guide to ID the fish you will encounter snorkeling the States coastline and islands. Visitors are permitted to boat here, but they must keep their vessels at least 500 feet away from the swimming pool. Lose yourself into the clear emerald green waters of a cenote near Tulum (), The Turks and Caicos Islands, less known than some other Caribbean destinations, are a veritable Eden bordered by white sands, coconut palms and a crystal sea. The MouseEars TV Creative Editor is passionate about making the world a happier place through the power of writing - and Disney! Friends of the Den stay up to date! Snorkeling at Discovery Cove is included with admission and provides an excellent opportunity to see the parks diverse marine life. Located within a two-hour drive of major hubs like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, it's off the beaten path yet easy to reach. But if manatees are the main attraction for you (same! Silver Glen Springs (fs.usda.gov) is in the Ocala National Forest on the St. John's River in north Florida. On a hot day, a visit to Florida Springs is a great way to escape the heat. There was even a zoo, rodeo, and gift shop.17. The next best thing to eternal youth is a never-ending legacy! Florida is the only continental U.S. state where the tropical climate provides ideal conditions for snorkeling throughout the year. Many of the best places to snorkel in saltwater require a boat to access, but not all of them. About 45 minutes away from Orlando, Blue Spring is a stunning example of one of the best springs in Florida. 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