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Revision 6/22/2015 1:08 PM by LatitudeAdjustment
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Paradise Springs - Spring - Ocala FL


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Just outside of Ocala, this huge Cavern/Cave has a giant Whale bone, and some sand dollar fossils on the 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.

YouTube; youtube.com/watch?v=4hWNGEM5l8o