How many "divable" springs are there?

[AlmightyApkallu]

I seem to get mixed information and answers on this, it's proven quite difficult to get a solid answer on so I figured I would ask here...

Just how many "divable" springs are there in Florida? And better yet, are there any just outside the state? I'm very carefully considering a move to the Destin area and was curious how many there are within say 3 hours or less of Destin (something you could do without overnighting). I know of Vortex (I have dived there and LOVED IT) and I know of Morrison, but after that it gets a bit fuzzy. This is keeping in mind that I'm not interested in cave diving right now, just diving the springs. I know there are a LOT of them, but how many of them are worth a dive? How many in that vicinity and better yet... How many would you folks say the whole state has? As far as, worth diving without going into the cave?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Aviyes]

Vortex, Morrison and Jackson Blue are those that are probably within 3 hours of Destin. A lot more of the springs are out in the central part of Florida, so longer 4+ hr drives. I did my OW and AOW at Vortex and Morrison. While great for working on skills and initial certs, I got bored pretty quick, not a lot to see other than a couple types of fish. Though it was fun trying to hunt down the hiding places for some of the large bass at both Morrison and Vortex. Vortex was fun to night dive, as all the freshwater eels come out of the cave system.

The below website shows the different springs in FL. Unfortunately, have to go to each link to see if they allow scuba diving. But, its a good starting point.
Map of Florida Spring locations, Florida Springs Map - Florida's Springs: Protecting Nature's Gems

Personally I was more excited about the offshore diving such as:
Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail

 

[AlmightyApkallu]

Thanks for the reply, Aviyes. I know some of the other famous ones are Blue Grotto and Devil's Den, but I know those are as you said, more in Central Florida. I'm just curious how many total there are worth diving without hiking through swamplands and fighting alligators or doing a cave. So, three in the Panhandle within a day's drive? That answers that

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Jackson Blue is a divable spring, but you should be at least cavern certified to dive there.

 

[Caveeagle]

While great for working on skills and initial certs, I got bored pretty quick, not a lot to see other than a couple types of fish.

A lot more to see than "a couple types of fish".. but you do have to be slow, patient and look closely. I have seen new things on 3 of my last 5 dives in the springs. Granted, you will not get the rainbow of colored reef life as in a marine environment, but I bet you are missing 90% of the life on those reefs too, because you eyes are drawn to the big queen angel fish and you probably miss the tiny sea horse or octo that's hiding from you.

Not trying to talk you in the more spring diving.. (less crowds, makes better diving for me).. But you might be missing out a great opportunities improve your skills and become better acquainted with an amazing ecosystem.

..And you don't have to spend as much time rinsing your gear..

 

[Clark Fletcher]

Honestly, I don't think anyone is going to be able to give you a 100% correct response. The reason for that is that you won't find all of the divable Florida springs listed in one convenient spot. And, in some cases, you'll find springs that are listed as "diving allowed" in one spot and "no diving allowed" somewhere else.

That being said, Vortex, Morrison, and Jackson Blue are the only ones I'm aware of that are within three hours of Destin.

About the best I've ever been able to come up with for the state of Florida is approximately 19 divable spring locations total. That does NOT include cave diver qualification required locations. And, that doesn't count multiple springs in the same location. For example, that counts Crystal River as one spring location when in reality there are 5 or 6 divable springs in the river.

As far as springs just outside of Florida, none that I'm aware of that are within 3 hours of Destin. And, that largely depends on your definition of a spring. There are lots of spring-fed lakes and spring-fed quarries outside of Florida that you probably wouldn't think of as a spring compared to spring diving in Florida.

Hope this helps.

 

[AlmightyApkallu]

Thanks for the replies folks. What about Wakulla Springs? Isn't that within 3 hours? It also looks like a really good spring to dive.

 

[Johnoly]

... without hiking through swamplands and fighting alligators...

LOL!! You'll fit right in with us, Welcome to Florida !!

 

[AlmightyApkallu]

LOL!! You'll fit right in with us, Welcome to Florida !!

Lol! Thanks. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind doing that, but with a bunch of Scuba gear, I much prefer a nice little dive boat, shore dive or jumping in a pond surrounded with amenities...

 

[bamafan]

A lot depends on what you term diveable. There are probably to many to list that I.would term diveable especially if you have a boat or canoe / kayak. Cypress Springs is just north of Panama City Beach on Holmes Creek and it is one of the prettiest springs in Florida in my opinion and people go there ow diving. There are at least 5 more springs in Holmes Creek that depending on the water level I would call diveable. Check out the Spring Hunters Facebook page.