Florida Scuba Diving Locations

Florida is one of the greatest spots in the United States for scuba diving. The waters are full of marine life and interesting diving items such as ship wrecks.

Scuba diving spots are many and include fresh water dives for caves and caverns. Many sea vessels have been purposefully sunk in areas to create artificial reefs.

Pennekamp Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are popular places to dive. Trips to the USS Spiegel Grove and USCG cutters Bibb and Duane provide great underwater views

Also the USS Spiegel Grove which is a 510 ft. landing ship dock lying upright in 140ft of water. Much of the wreck lies between 70ft and 100ft.

The US Coast Guard Cutters Bibb and Duane are 327 ft. Treasury Class cutters in the Florida diving area. The dives are serviced by local dive operators with regular day trips, sometimes up to twice a day depending on weather conditions.

Pensacola

Pensacola, Florida diving spots consist mainly of wrecks of sea vessels. They range from smaller tug boats to naval aircraft carriers. There is even an oilrig or two in some areas all within short distances of land.

All of the diving areas in Florida require the use of diving operators as you cannot get to the areas from land entry points.

Crystal River

In this area, manatees are the main attraction for divers but you must ask permission from the local ranges and government concerning diving with them because they are an endangered species and they are protected by the State.

They congregate in herds in the warm waters from November through April and can reach an average 10 feet in length and 1,000 pounds.

Divers can experience dozens of freshwater springs that boil from the underground. This unusual mix of Gulf waters creates a marine environment that is nothing short of fantastic. You are also likely to find tarpon, snapper and large mouth bass and garfish.

Diving in Crystal River is very adventurous and not at all that deep. There are caves for exploration in this area but the wild life is not that varied.

Florida Keys Diving

This area is a chain of islands that have many shipwrecks and some great coral reefs It is also the only living coral reef in the Continental US which one can access from many of the small islands around the Florida Keys.

Scuba diving operators are many and have any number of dive spots for you to choose from. Visitors from out of state usually head for the beach or the Florida scuba diving spots when they arrive.