Things to do · Destination Guide
Freshwater springs, open-water blue basins and specialist cave-diving country.
Pick an activity mode to compare signature sites, skill fit, and gear planning notes before you lock your trip.
Fanning Springs and Troy Spring are published open-water options. Ginnie Springs has its own dive center and certified-diver rules; Manatee Springs allows designated open-water areas alongside separately restricted cavern and cave systems. Orange Grove Sink at Peacock is available to open-water divers, but Peacock's other overhead sites require the appropriate qualifications. Cave Country Dive Shop offers training, tanks and fills in High Springs. Plan each entry separately, not as an unrestricted springs pass.
Troy Spring and Madison remains
Open-water-only spring with historic steamboat remnants; avoid disturbing cultural resources.
Fanning Springs
Open-water training-friendly basin under park registration rules; no overhead route is represented.
Manatee Springs main spring
Registered open-water diving; do not confuse with Catfish Hotel cavern or Friedman Sink cave.
Orange Grove Sink at Peacock Springs
The published open-water entry point in a park otherwise renowned for certified cavern and cave dives.
Operator Checklist
Arrange fills and equipment with Cave Country Dive Shop, Dive Outpost or the on-site Ginnie dive center. Florida State Parks generally require a certified buddy team and certification proof, and some sites require registration hours before sunset. At Ginnie, non-annual divers must register by 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in winter), solo diving is barred, the scuba minimum age is 12, and diving in Dogwood, Twin or Deer Springs is prohibited. Open-water divers may not carry lights into the Devil's system, and selected holiday dive bans apply. Manatee lists a limit of 18 open-water/cavern divers at a time and 36 total per day across the main spring and Catfish Hotel, with separate tighter cave-team limits. Fanning lists 15 open-water divers at one time and 30 per day. Always confirm daily numbers with staff. Do not assume a guide, private pass or course gives permission to access a closed or protected site.
Conditions Fallback
Avoid