Revision 7/01/2010 8:42 AM
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Paradise Springs
4040 Southeast 84th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34480-9769
Max Depth: 131-140ft/40-43m
Average Viz: 71-80ft/22-24m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
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Spring: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Summer: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Fall: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Winter: 71-75°F/22-24°C
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Just outside of Ocala, this huge Cavern/Cave has a giant Whale bone, and some sand dollar fossils on teh walls. Did I say this cavern was gigantic, I mean gigantic. Open water divers welcome....
Paradise Springs is actually a sinkhole that is privately owned and operated. The current owner purchased the land from a family member that was not using the sink. The sink is now open to the public and admission in July 2002 was $27 to scuba dive. Air fills were $5 a tank. Depths here reach 140 ft. Upon entering the water, a large cavern is encountered. At about 20 ft, you follow a large tunnel down at a 90 degree angle. Open water divers should stop at 99 ft., where they’ll see a sign warning them "prevent your death." After 99ft. you loose all surface light and enter a small shaft that continues down to 140 ft. Visibilty is generally good. Careless divers make it worse. Some fossils can be seen in the walls of the cavern.