Central Florida Dive Sites Guide

Central Florida sits on top of some of the clearest freshwater springs in the world, and a few hours south, Palm Beach has some of the best reef and shore diving on the East Coast. This guide covers the sites our team dives most, what each one is like, and how to dive it. Conditions and park rules change, so check with each park before you go.

Want a guide? Our guided snorkel and scuba tours run at Blue Spring State Park from April 1 through mid-November. We also run club dives and winter trips to Palm Beach, posted on our Dive Club & Trips calendar.

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City

Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763
Phone: (386) 775-3663 · Website

Scuba divers on a guided tour watching a manatee swim by at Blue Spring State ParkFlorida Dive Company scuba tour group with the company flag at Blue Spring State ParkTwo West Indian manatees grazing on the spring floor at Blue Spring State ParkDivers with Florida Dive Company at Blue Spring State Park

The largest spring on the St. Johns River and a winter refuge for hundreds of West Indian manatees. The water is 72°F and crystal clear all year. The spring run is open for swimming, snorkeling and diving from April 1 to November 14; it closes in winter for the manatees, and those dates can shift with manatee numbers. Only certified cave divers may enter the cave at the spring boil.

Dive it with us: Florida Dive Company is the only guided snorkel and scuba operator inside the park, and every tour includes guaranteed park entry. See tours and prices from $65.

De Leon Springs State Park, DeLand

Address: 601 Ponce De Leon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130
Phone: (386) 985-4212 · Website

Florida Dive Company scuba students at De Leon Springs State ParkScuba divers training underwater at De Leon Springs State Park

A historic 72°F spring basin, about 30 feet deep at the boil, used as a swimming area. Snorkeling is allowed in the swimming area only. The spring is not open to recreational scuba diving; only instructor-led training dives under a state park permit are allowed.

Dive it with us: ask about training dives as part of our Open Water certification.

Alexander Springs, Ocala National Forest, Altoona

Address: 49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, FL 32702
Phone: (352) 669-3522 · Website

Fish swimming over eelgrass and limestone in the clear water of Alexander Springs, Ocala National Forest

A first-magnitude spring with a sandy bottom and a gentle slope, 72°F all year and around 25 feet at its deepest. It is the only site in Florida's national forests where certified divers can scuba dive, which makes it a favorite for newly certified divers. Snorkeling is allowed all year. Vehicle reservations are needed on summer weekends and holidays.

Good to know: Alexander Springs does not allow commercial use. That means no dive shop, independent instructor or tour guide can teach courses, conduct certification dives or offer guided snorkel or scuba tours there. You're welcome to visit and dive on your own if you're certified. Want a guided spring experience? Join us at Blue Spring State Park.

Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring, Williston

Address: 5390 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696
Phone: (352) 528-3344 · Website

Florida Dive Company divers at the entrance to Devil's Den Prehistoric SpringLooking down into the underground spring at Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring, Williston

A privately owned spring inside a dry underground cave, with stalactites overhead, 72°F water and a maximum depth of about 54 feet. Pleistocene-era fossils have been found here. Reservations are required for both scuba and snorkeling, and scuba is for certified divers only.

Dive it with us: get certified with our SDI Open Water course, then join a club dive.

Rainbow River, Dunnellon

Address: Rainbow Springs State Park, 19158 SW 81st Place Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Phone: (352) 465-8555 · Website

Diver gliding over bright green eelgrass in the Rainbow River, DunnellonMorning mist over the Rainbow River and dock in Dunnellon

A spring-fed river known for drift diving and snorkeling over sand, eelgrass and limestone, with water around 72°F and visibility often over 100 feet. Most dives drift about a mile downriver to KP Hole Park. Rainbow Springs State Park requires day-use reservations, and a dive flag is required on the river.

Dive it with us: watch the Dive Club & Trips calendar.

Blue Heron Bridge (Phil Foster Park), Riviera Beach

Address: Phil Foster Park, 900 E Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Starfish on the sand in the shallows at Blue Heron Bridge, Phil Foster Park

One of the most famous shore dives in the country. It is shallow, 4 to 20 feet, and full of small creatures: seahorses, frogfish, batfish, octopus, nudibranchs and the occasional manatee or eagle ray. Dive within about an hour of high tide for the best visibility and least current, and fly a dive flag.

Dive it with us: we run winter trips while Blue Spring is closed. See upcoming trips.

Palm Beach reef drift diving, West Palm Beach

With the Gulf Stream close to shore, Palm Beach offers boat drift dives on reefs and wrecks, typically 45 to 90 feet. Winter brings the lemon shark gathering; spring and summer bring sea turtles; goliath groupers are found on the wrecks. Charters set their own certification requirements for deeper dives.

Florida Dive Company group heading out on a Palm Beach drift dive charterSpiny lobster on a Palm Beach reefGreen moray eel on a Palm Beach reef

Dive it with us: our winter Palm Beach trips are posted on the Dive Club & Trips calendar and booked online.

New to diving?

Try it first with a Try Scuba experience at Blue Spring, no certification needed, or get fully certified with our SDI Open Water course.

Already certified and want to work in the water? We train dive professionals at our SDI Instructor Training Center, from Divemaster to Instructor and Course Director.