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Hi there;
Clermont is a nice area. My folks have a place there, although they are living in Silver Spring, MD at the moment. I have spent a lot of time in the Orlando area.
I used to dive with Scuba World Orlando. It’s owned by a guy by the name of John Shimkoski. He’s an ex army recon swimmer/diver. He can help you out with finding the best diving spots.
The shop website is http://www.scubaworld.net
Good luck and safe diving
Ron sends
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Thanks soo much, that is very helpful!
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I live in Ocala - just north of Clermont. There are quite a few springs to dive in the area if you don’t mind the drive.
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I have never dove in a spring before. Sounds interesting. Is there alot of things to see in there?
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It all depends on the spring you end up diving. It’s nothing like an ocean dive, but, you still get wet! Here are a couple of links to the springs around Central Florida:
Paradise Springs
Devil’s Den
Blue Grotto
Ginnie Springs
These are all pretty neat places to dive. The water temp in all of them is 72 degrees year round. Visibility (barring scuba classes) is 100 ft. plus -
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If you go during the colder months, you can dive with manatee in Crystal Springs next county over...Citrus.
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johng - 3/23/2009 9:21 PM 
Citrus county is more like 3 counties over.
Yes Paradise Blue Grotto and Devils Den are real close for you.
Paradise is the closest and my favorite.
I think paradise would be the closest.
But the first thing you need to understand about spring diving is the fact the you might not be able to go straight up to get to the surface..
Also you could be close to Blue spring statwe park.
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johng - 3/23/2009 9:25 PM
Let me correct that.
My favorite place that allows ow divers.
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From johng:
Citrus county is more like 3 counties over.
Yes Paradise Blue Grotto and Devils Den are real close for you.
Paradise is the closest and my favorite.
I think paradise would be the closest.
But the first thing you need to understand about spring diving is the fact the you might not be able to go straight up to get to the surface..
Also you could be close to Blue spring statwe park.
Thanks. This may be a stupid question, but what do you mean when you say you cant go straight up to the surface? I have never dove a spring before so any information will be greatly appreciated. What is there to see down there>?
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From OcalaJim: It all depends on the spring you end up diving. It’s nothing like an ocean dive, but, you still get wet! Here are a couple of links to the springs around Central Florida:
Paradise Springs
Devil’s Den
Blue Grotto
Ginnie Springs
These are all pretty neat places to dive. The water temp in all of them is 72 degrees year round. Visibility (barring scuba classes) is 100 ft. plus -
These are great. Thanks! Hey if you ever want to meet up and dive let me know. Ill probably be down in the end of April for a week or two.
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johng - 3/24/2009 11:39 AM
Alot of springs are overhead environment.
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Tony - just let me know when you’re in the area.
Also - the other post about not being able to go straight up is that some of these places are considered "cavern" dives. Paradise Springs is one example. You can see ambient light all the way up from the bottom (around 100’), but, it’s a sink that goes down at around a 45 degree angle - more than 200 feet in length - to the 100ft. mark. Blue Grotto is similar in that it is considered a cavern. Even there at the 100ft. mark, you can see daylight. There is an overhang, quite large, that goes down to around 50ft. There is a "horseshoe" shaped rock formation that goes down to the 100ft. mark and has a rope for you to follow. Both great places to dive, though.
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I will def let you know when I am coming down. Thanks again for the insight, it is very helpful! I will be talking to you soon
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One of my favorite dives is rainbow river you get dropped of at the head of rainbow springs and swim down river. crystal clear water 100’+ its a nice relaxing dive perfect after a long week at work. ponce del leon springs is beautiful its a very easy diving spot. a little more chalenging and closer is blue springs cavern its about 120’ deep nice limestone formations.
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