SCUBA ADVENTURES
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    570 MALCOLM BLVD.                RUTHERFORD COLLEGE,  NORTH CAROLINA   28671                       828.368.0222

    SCUBA ADVENTURES          TUESDAY - FRIDAY  11 AM  TO 6 PM     SATURDAY  10 AM TO 2 PM        828.368.0222
FLORIDA SPRINGS
Places We Dive!
Devil’s Den, Florida


Devil’s Den is a natural Florida phenomenon, a rare dome cavern. A large dry cave extends down about 60 feet to the waterline. You will scuba dive through ancient history, as you enter a sinkhole with many caverns and crevices to explore. Depths reach 65 feet and visibility is dependent on the number of divers in the Den that day.
There are lots of Springs all over Florida, here are some of the well know and more popular Springs that we visit.
Blue Grotto, Florida


Blue Grotto is actually a sinkhole with good visibility. Depths reach 100 feet. Upon entering the sinkhole you will encounter a very large cavern with writing on the walls. At a depth of 30 feet there is a fresh air bell, where you can take off your mask and breathe some fresh air. Continuing down, there is a large shaft that slopes down at a 90 degree angle. Neutral buoyancy is important because at 90 feet there is silt that can easily be stirred up. The cavern is illuminated by lights at 30 feet. The large catfish are often seen as you do your safety stop.

Ginnie Springs, Florida


Ginnie Springs Resort is an amazing natural site. Located in Central Florida, it is a set of several different springs that offer excellent scuba diving and snorkeling. The water temperature remains steady year round at 72 degrees and has perfect visibility. Ginnie Springs features 55 campsites, bathhouses, RV hook-ups, and convenience store.
           The springs of interest to divers are: Ginnie Springs, Devil’s Eye, and Devil’s Ear. Devil’s Eye is a circular spring with depths to 15 feet at the bottom of the spring. A cave entrance at the bottom of the spring is great for EXPERIENCED CAVE DIVERS ONLY! Devil’s Ear is located in the Santa Fe River about 10-15 yards east of Devil’s Eye. Depths at Devil’s Ear plunge down an oval chimney shaft 60 feet to a cave entrance. Upon entering the small opening you are rewarded with a large cavern room (35 feet high by 30 feet wide). Open water divers need to stop here. All surface light will be lost about 10 yards from the entrance.
           Divers need their gear, ‘C’ Card, weights, and a tent or camper and camping necessities. Divers can do your certification dives here or join us and dive for fun! Scuba Adventures is diving Ginnie Springs several times during the year. Check our dates on the Dive Travel Page or call the shop.
Crystal River Manatee Snorkel and Dive

Every Spring, Scuba Adventures will travel to Florida to swim with the manatees and dive in the springs. This is a great time of year for a relaxing weekend to do some snorkeling and diving. On this trip we will snorkel with the Manatees in Crystal River, drift dive the Rainbow River, and visit some of the other springs in the area for some cavern diving.

Crystal River

The Crystal River is a safe haven for manatees year round, and specifically it is considered home to year round residential manatees. Multiple idle speed zones, fresh water, significant food sources, and even sanctuaries provide these residential manatees with reason to settle, allowing the ability to have snorkel encounters with these amazing creatures every day of the year. Transient manatees flock into King’s Bay of the Crystal River by the hundreds as the Gulf of Mexico temperature drops below 72 degrees, which is also the constant temperature of this spring fed river.  On chilly winter mornings the boats are enclosed, creating a wind-free shelter for warmth before and after being in the water. A unique and successful trip comes from education on how to interact with the manatee and this is provided through an educational program before the swim and with the guides’ extensive in water experience.
        The Crystal River Manatee Swim is followed by a scuba dive for certified divers. A 50 foot cavern dive is provided at Kings Spring, one of Florida’s popular dive sites. Open water certification is required and the Divemaster leads the dive through Kings Cavern,  an overhead underwater environment that is supplied with natural light.

Rainbow River

Rainbow River Springs drift dive is unmatched with crystal clear spring water and over 200 feet visibility. You will see many different varieties of fish, turtles, and other wildlife up close. Discover fossils coming out of the different springs dotting the bottom. At the end of the drift dive is a small cavern where the fish hang out in abundance. This is a great relaxing way to finish your day.

Manatee Springs

The Manatee Springs dive offers two dives in one location. The first dive is hidden away with duckweed covering the surface. Once the divers descend, the bubbles from everyone’s regulators open holes in the ceiling of the duckweed for sun rays to give a beautiful colorful atmosphere. Check out the cavern and the clear springs that make this 60 foot dive a memorable experience. After changing out tanks, get ready for the outflow spring propulsion ride! This spring is 40 feet deep and has a high outflow spring vent at the bottom. Fin kicking is the only way to get to the outflow and when you stop kicking just enjoy the strength of the Florida spring ass you glide with the outflow. The many varieties of fish and turtles will excite you.