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Driving to
New Depths
Take the plunge on a Florida road trip that explores the Sunshine State’s most unforgettable scuba diving sites—from crystal-clear springs to sunken ships.
By Kyle Marra
Many travelers flock to Florida for theme parks, beaches and the year-round welcoming temperatures and climate. Below the famous mouse and wizards, sandy shores and balmy air, however, flows a unique underwater world waiting for those daring enough to dive in. Experience a number of incredible dive sites on this road trip that starts in Tampa and circles some of the key scuba diving destinations Florida offers. Whether you’re an experienced scuba diver or just starting your underwater ventures, there are dive sites for wetsuit warriors of all skill levels on this ultimate water-roaming road trip.
Rainbow River
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Rainbow River | Dunnellon
Situated one-and-a-half hours north of Tampa, this gentle drift dive is the perfect way to ease into your underwater excursions. Rainbow River is great for beginners who are looking for a simple, scenic dive, thanks in part to its average water temperature of 72 degrees year-round and its spring-fed, crystal-clear water that offers a look at Florida’s freshwater ecosystem. Expect to see turtles, bass, brim and gar. On an excursion with Crystal River Watersports, divers are transported upriver via boat where they dismount and drift dive back to the ramp for a shore exit. The maximum depth on this dive is about 20 feet, and divers will average between 10- to 15-foot depths throughout the dive.
Cost: $230/two divers
Scuba diver swimming at Devil's Den cave
Devil’s Den | Williston
About 30 minutes north of Rainbow River is the unique prehistoric dive site: Devil’s Den. This private underground spring, tucked inside a cave, is one of Florida’s premier diving destinations. It is also one of the few caverns that allows beginner divers with open water certification. As you descend the stairs to the spring, you enter another world, illuminated only by the sunlight streaming in from a hole in the earth above. Observant divers will find no shortage of prehistoric fossils embedded along the walls of the cave. However, if you find a fossil, be sure to leave it in place for future underwater explorers to enjoy.
Cost: $48/diver
Note: Dive buddies are mandatory. You will not be paired with someone at the site. Additionally, camping is available if you are interested in making this a multi-day excursion.
Interested in more road trip ideas? Read Tracing History and discover the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Scuba diver uses a light in Ginnie Cavern.
Ginnie Springs | High Springs
The journey north continues. Located a roughly 45-minute drive from Devil’s Den, this freshwater dive destination offers something for beginners and advanced divers alike. The draw? The underwater geologic beauty of the Ballroom inside Ginnie Cavern, which open water-certified divers of all experience levels are encouraged to witness. The Ballroom—roughly 100 feet across and 15 feet deep—is rich with geologic formations that are unique to the Floridan Aquifer. The Ballroom’s ceiling contains an excellent example of limestone spongework, while the northwest corner holds an exemplar phreatic tube—one of the most common underwater cave formations. Ginnie is another of the few caverns accessible to beginner divers. That said, certified cavern and cave divers have more to enjoy here, as they carry dive lights and are allowed into the Devil’s Spring System, a stunning network of underwater caverns where the view toward the sky is just as breathtaking as the sight of the formations around you.
Cost: $36 for divers without a cave certification, $28 for divers with a full cave certification, or equivalent.
Note: If you are not cavern/cave certified, you cannot enter the water of the Devil’s Spring System. This limitation is to protect inexperienced divers from pushing their luck. Camping is available.
Underwater explorers snorkeling near a manatee
Manatee Tour | Crystal River
This tour by Fun 2 Dive is more of a snorkeling experience, but it offers an up-close encounter with Florida manatees. Located about an hour-and-a-half south of Ginnie Springs, Crystal River is home to the largest concentration of these gentle aquatic creatures—and the only place in the world where you can swim with them in their natural habitat. This three-hour tour promises educational opportunities, photos and exciting encounters of the underwater kind. Group and private tours are available.
Cost: $84.95/person or $425/private boat
Note: Tours fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance.
Sea horse at Blue Heron Bridge
Blue Heron Bridge | Riviera Beach
Drive south four hours to Blue Heron Bridge, once named as Best Dive Site in the World by Professional Association of Diving Instructors’ “Sport Diver” magazine. It is renowned for stunning water, abundant marine life and easy access. Sea horses, octopus and pipe fish are just a few of the creatures that call this site home. With a simple shore entry, maximum 20-foot depth and protection by the surrounding lagoon, this dive is accessible even when the weather turns. It is important to note, however, that fishing is allowed on the bridge, so watch out for fishing lines on your dive.
Cost: Free.
Note: Divers are required to carry a dive flag. Failing to do so could result in a ticket from local authorities.
Planning your road trip adventure is exciting, especially when choosing the perfect vehicle. Renting allows you to avoid putting miles on your own vehicle and choose a ride that fits your needs, whether it’s a fuel-efficient compact car or a larger vehicle for your gear. With Hertz, AAA Members save up to 20% off the base rate, save 10% on prepaid fuel, get free additional drivers, free use of a child safety seat and other stackable savings that can extend your road trip budget. Learn more at AAA.com/CarRental.
Exploring the Spiegel Grove shipwreck
Spiegel Grove Wreck | Key Largo
Located about two-and-a-half hours south of Blue Heron, intermediate and advanced divers can enjoy the Spiegel Grove Wreck, a 510-foot-long, 80-foot-wide Navy vessel that was intentionally sunk in 2002. The ship is the backbone of a large artificial reef that advanced open water divers can observe. Certified wreck divers can enter the hull of the ship as well. The dive starts around 70 feet deep and goes as deep as 130 feet, but the best parts are found in the 70- to 90-foot ranges.
Cost: $100-$150/diver
Scuba Diving USS Oriskany “The Mighty O” video
USS Oriskany “The Mighty O” | Pensacola
Though divers could stay in the Keys longer or loop back to Tampa, the truly adventurous can make the long-haul trip to Pensacola to visit the largest artificial reef in the world. This 911-foot-long aircraft carrier was capable of carrying more than 80 planes. It served for 25 years and earned battle stars for service in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The carrier’s deepest depth sits at 212 feet, but divers can access the flight deck at 140 to 150 feet and the vessel’s shallowest point at 80 feet. Due to the depths, currents and environmental conditions, this dive is best suited for advanced and technical divers.
Cost: $200-$220 for a two-tank charter.
Scuba diving is a uniquely rewarding experience for those daring enough to spend time under water. Florida’s natural aquatic ecosystem provides divers with stunning locales to explore. Grab your dive buddy and plan your Florida scuba diving road trip to discover why these sites are some of the best in the world.
Note: Above prices are subject to change.
Ready to explore Florida’s diving destinations? AAA can help you get on the road with trip-planning tools and savings on hotels, rental cars and more. Visit AAA.com/Travel today.
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