ocean walker
Editorial Staff
To Scuba or Not to Scuba that is the question. Are you are looking for a great day trip - if you live in central or north Florida consider Rainbow Springs or Rainbow River. The difference in my mind is that Rainbow Springs is the State Park (Main Page - Rainbow Springs State Park Florida State Parks) and Rainbow River is the continuation of the system after you leave the park boundaries. Campers please note the New and Improved Campground reopens spring of 2009.
Option I - NOT SCUBA (this is for the purists, which I am only when it is convenient) This is a great option all humor aside. Most of this adventure is about the park itself. It is a class A day trip to relax, enjoy nature, swim in water that is still unbelieveably clear, and fall asleep on a towel. If you plan this journey from April through October there is a great guided snorkel tour that only occurs twice per month within the aquatic preserve boundaries. You will see the Real Florida on this tour. The aquatic preserve area is a very rich system of flora (you know plants) and fauna (yep animals like fish, turtles, and the ocassional mermaid, at least I thought I saw one). If you are going to take in Rainbow Springs during the months from April to October it is well worth your efforts to reserve a spot on this limited tour. My friend Chris and I caught the last tour of 2008 and it was stellar. Plus the headlands around the head spring are beautiful with large trees, nicely integrated landscaping and three man made waterfalls that remain from the past ownerships.
Or Option II is to SCUBA. You can access Rainbow River, which is the river that continues on after the state park boundaries, from K.P. Hole Rainbow River: K. P. Hole Park to CR 484 and you can canoe, pontoon boat, kayak, john boat, you get the idea up or down the river at slow, no wake speeds and have one of the most peaceful days youÃÍl ever have. I would encourage you to consider no scuba even in the scuba allowed areas because the average depth is probably 7 feet even though there are a few places where the river drops to 20 most of this journey is in shallow water. And the first time you accidentally drop to the bottom without good bouyancy control you will see plant debris floating along with you. Consider this impact on a daily basis and you get the idea.
So here's the deal. Rainbow Springs/Rainbow River is located in what I like to call Outback Florida? For those of you who live here or visit here enough, you have come to realize all of Florida is not just or even mainly a tourist trap. We have a tremendous amount of recreational opportunity from our coastal areas and everything off shore to large national and state parks. And many of these areas offer offer something for the scuba, snorkeling community (www.scubaboard.com). The Rainbows are the same system just different boundaries. The drive is about two hours from Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville. Remember I said about. Mapquest your journey and then consider the back road route if you can.
I believe the real story is in the photographs. If you decide to make the trip please post a report and let us know what you thought.
Option I - NOT SCUBA (this is for the purists, which I am only when it is convenient) This is a great option all humor aside. Most of this adventure is about the park itself. It is a class A day trip to relax, enjoy nature, swim in water that is still unbelieveably clear, and fall asleep on a towel. If you plan this journey from April through October there is a great guided snorkel tour that only occurs twice per month within the aquatic preserve boundaries. You will see the Real Florida on this tour. The aquatic preserve area is a very rich system of flora (you know plants) and fauna (yep animals like fish, turtles, and the ocassional mermaid, at least I thought I saw one). If you are going to take in Rainbow Springs during the months from April to October it is well worth your efforts to reserve a spot on this limited tour. My friend Chris and I caught the last tour of 2008 and it was stellar. Plus the headlands around the head spring are beautiful with large trees, nicely integrated landscaping and three man made waterfalls that remain from the past ownerships.
Or Option II is to SCUBA. You can access Rainbow River, which is the river that continues on after the state park boundaries, from K.P. Hole Rainbow River: K. P. Hole Park to CR 484 and you can canoe, pontoon boat, kayak, john boat, you get the idea up or down the river at slow, no wake speeds and have one of the most peaceful days youÃÍl ever have. I would encourage you to consider no scuba even in the scuba allowed areas because the average depth is probably 7 feet even though there are a few places where the river drops to 20 most of this journey is in shallow water. And the first time you accidentally drop to the bottom without good bouyancy control you will see plant debris floating along with you. Consider this impact on a daily basis and you get the idea.
So here's the deal. Rainbow Springs/Rainbow River is located in what I like to call Outback Florida? For those of you who live here or visit here enough, you have come to realize all of Florida is not just or even mainly a tourist trap. We have a tremendous amount of recreational opportunity from our coastal areas and everything off shore to large national and state parks. And many of these areas offer offer something for the scuba, snorkeling community (www.scubaboard.com). The Rainbows are the same system just different boundaries. The drive is about two hours from Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville. Remember I said about. Mapquest your journey and then consider the back road route if you can.
I believe the real story is in the photographs. If you decide to make the trip please post a report and let us know what you thought.