In a state that’s mostly surrounded by ocean, there’s definitely no lack of adventures in Florida for those who love the water. What many visitors don’t realize is that the Sunshine State also has more than 1,000 springs that offer an alternative to the salty waters the state is best known for. You can find springs in many places in Florida, like in the bright blue swimming hole at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. But there is one spot that has assumed the title of “Gateway to the Springs” — the city of High Springs.
High Springs is located about 35 minutes from Gainesville, and when you visit the area, you can hop from spring to spring. You can start by heading to Florida’s newest state park where you can find Gilchrist Blue Springs. However, make sure not to miss out on another hidden piece of paradise, Ginnie Springs. Although the recreational area surrounding Ginnie Springs isn’t a state park, it still provides so much to see and do. One review on Tripadvisor described it as an, “Amazing place for snorkeling, scuba diving, camping, or just to get out of the city.” Ginnie Springs is a little over two hours away from Orlando and Tampa which makes it easy to reach by flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Tampa International Airport (TPA). Once you land, simply rent a car, and head on your way to enjoy one of the state’s most dazzling swimming holes.
Ginnie Springs is one of Florida’s top diving spots
Ginnie Springs is quite the idyllic spot that is perfect for cooling off on those hot Florida days. The spring has crystal clear water that stays 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Swimming and snorkeling are popular here, but you’ll also find people tubing and paddling. You can rent equipment onsite, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you want to. A reviewer on Tripadvisor shared one thing you should bring though, stating, “Buy the water protecting case for your phone. Totally worth it for underwater photos and videos.”
Besides just floating on the water and soaking up the sun, Ginnie Springs also has more places for visitors to explore beneath the surface. In fact, this is one of the top places in Florida for scuba diving. One Google review even described it as, the “Best cave diving in the continental U.S.” There are three dive sites you can explore when you visit Ginnie Springs — the Devil’s Spring System, the Ginnie Ballroom, and the Santa Fe River. While the caverns at the Devil’s Spring System are best for certified cave divers, the Ginnie Ballroom can be explored by all certified divers — even those not specifically certified in cave diving. If you want to check out some really cool fossils from the Pleistocene-era, you’ll want to do some diving in the Santa Fe River area.
The best campsites at Ginnie Springs
