Crystal River & Other River Suggestions...

[pescadorsub]

So some friends and I will be heading down to Florida for some fun in the sun over our winter break (after Christmas and through the New Year). There will be several divers and a few non-divers looking forward to some snorkel action. We are looking into doing a canoeing/camping trip on a river and are looking for some suggestions. We are college students on a budget and lucky for us we don't mind roughing it at a rustic campground if need be.

Any locals willing to give some suggestions of campgrounds, dive spots, and rental locations? We potentially have all the gear we need (canoes, scuba/snorkeling gear, camping gear, etc.) but we are willing to pay a reasonable fare for the convenience of some of the hard to carry items: canoes, tanks, etc.

We should be heading down on the 27th and returning on the 2nd.

 

[JamesK]

Ginnie Springs is a great spot but it does cost some. Although it is not much. You have canoeing, tubing, diving, snorkeling, and camping. Another good spot is Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Not far from Ginnie, and the waters are beautiful.

Florida vacation for scuba diving, river tubing,&PADI certification

Welcome to Florida State Parks

 

[Paladin]

My sons and I plan to be diving Ginnie Springs on the 27th and 28th.

 

[pescadorsub]

Thanks for the advice ya'll. We ended up doing dives at Manatee Springs, Catfish Hole, and King's Bay. We also paddled down the Santa Fe river, but I kind of wish we had gone to the Ichetucknee because the flow seemed to be greater in that river when we passed it (it was crystal clear, and the Santa Fe was a reddish brown once you got away from the springs).