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#4846
Diving around Ocala Florida
Eve - 9/22/2011 12:27 PM
Category: General
Replies: 8



What can any one say about diving in and around Ocala Florida and the Crystal River area? Please send info /thoughts of diving there.


 
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 9/22/2011 2:01 PM
From Eve:

What can any one say about diving in and around Ocala Florida and the Crystal River area? Please send info /thoughts of diving there.



 Well the Ocala to Gainesville area is about cave diving, I did Crystal once but I find fresh water diving boring however your results may vary.

 During cold weather there are the Manatees in Crystal river but that is snorkeling and don’t do it after a heavy rain, vis drops to a few feet. The only way I got that picture in my gallery is because she came to me
#1541
ScubaDreaminn - 9/22/2011 2:10 PM


We live very close by and there are a lot of Springs to check out and see...what are you mainly interested in doing....are you coming down for a visit? 


We can help with your travel plans and find a few dives that may be of interest. Our website is Scuba Dream’inn and we would be happy to map something out for you while you stay with us. And if you have arrangements already, we would be happy to advise you on the best bang for the buck while limiting you’re driving and maximizing your diving.


There are many sites in and around the Ocala/Crystal River area but they are scattered all over the place. Devils Den is fun, not very deep and some cool swim troughs, couple of training platforms, lots of OW checkout divers on weekends ($37). Blue Grotto, deep and fun when the viz is good, some training platforms, air bell, lots of OW checkout divers on the weekends ($40). Forty Fathom Grotto, Crazy deep, need a dive guide to dive it (and Michael is a guide). Ginnie is fun for the day, Ballroom is groovy, ($33 after tax). Troy is good, getting to 67’, ($5 a carload), manatee and catfish hotel, well its a place to get wet and for $6 a carload cant complain. I love Rainbow river, cool drift dive, not deep at all, but lots to see... and of course there is Crystal River, which you either need to rent a boat or go out with a group (cost varies with that), but is a fun dive and you might even get to see a Manatee :). And many more that we are just finding and exploring....Alexander, Paradise Springs.....so lots and lots to see.


DeAnn


 


 


 
#1172
Precious_Cargo_Diving - 9/22/2011 3:08 PM
For just playing Alexander is a great place, not to deep and very nice beach/picnic area... Blue Grotto & Devil’s Den are great places... all depends upon your tastes... my wife loves the springs and we have a great time there! Our students like BG & DD because of the clarity and no worries about hazardous marine life...
#1600
lerpy - 9/23/2011 9:21 AM
From LatitudeAdjustment:

 Well the Ocala to Gainesville area is about cave diving, I did Crystal once but I find fresh water diving boring however your results may vary.

 


Fresh water diving boring?? like an arrow through my heart. LOL....C’mon up here I can show you fresh water is not boring. Cold and dark, yes.

 
#149
molina67 - 9/23/2011 5:13 PM
I have to agree, springs are pretty small and boring. I was certified at Devil’s Den and Dove Troy this past weekend. Went to dive at Ginnie and ended up diving the river, I would have to admit that I enjoyed diving the river way more than the springs. I am a new diver and would like to see some form of life under water besides other diver.
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 9/27/2011 12:59 PM
From lerpy:
From LatitudeAdjustment:

 Well the Ocala to Gainesville area is about cave diving, I did Crystal once but I find fresh water diving boring however your results may vary.

 


Fresh water diving boring?? like an arrow through my heart. LOL....C’mon up here I can show you fresh water is not boring. Cold and dark, yes.



Well an hour south of Ocala there are some polar bears at SeaWorld, that could make for an exciting dive :) Disney has an overpriced single dive in the Living Seas where you pay to be entertaining the guest of the aquarium and dinners at the Reef.
#2788
meltonart - 9/27/2011 11:31 PM
I wouldn’t go as far as to call it boring, but it is fresh water so there isn’t going to be as much to look at as ocean diving.

Crystal River has the Manatees so it’s more of a snorkel spot. The springs are relaxing and you have beautiful crystal clear water. Although Rainbow River is on the shallow side it is still a fun dive.
The best part of it all is I’ve never seen a dive shop offer a weekend in this area for over $300-$400 with lodging so it is cheap to do.

I highly recommend it especially if you are a new diver seeking to log some dives and work on things such as buoyancy and air.

I have some manatee footage here from back when I was down there twice a week with school children filming their encounters.
http://ericmelton.info/manatee-video-eric-melton.html
#1541
ScubaDreaminn - 9/28/2011 12:12 PM


Yes, I agree, each dive is different and unique to me. I dive the Springs often as it is a great place for certification dives, but that isn’t all it has to be, the formations, the structure, the fish, turtles, manatees, snakes....always different to me. I love Rainbow River as each time, I see something new and the cost is great.


DeAnn