Mainland is located slightly more than 3,000' from the entrance and some 100' before the Hinkel restriction. The basin connects to the Santa Fe River via a channel, through which the spring pumps a staggering 35 million gallons of water every day. The bottom of the fissure contains two very small caves neither of which have any notable cave penetration. Fascinated, I … Due to the depth, children and weak swimmers should stay with an adult swimmer at all times. At nearly 60 feet deep, set among a 200-acre forest, Ginnie Springs is one of Florida’s most popular freshwater diving locations and enormously popular among swimmers, paddlers and naturalists. While this feature is relatively small and limiting it is a unique area worthy of a short sightseeing tour. These two springs connect through a restrictive passage that is too advanced for divers without cave diver training. This main conduit continues for a total of 3,200' before narrowing at the Hinkel restriction, continuing in smaller (no scooter) passage for another 1,000'. I was hooked. This is the biggest pool at Ginnie Springs and can be penetrated to a depth of 55 feet. Little Devil Spring is upstream of Ginnie … I’ll break down the best options for a day at the springs below. Like many areas of Devil's Ear this region must be treated with care as blossoming interest threatens to damage these beautiful features. The final spring, Devil’s Ear, forms another fissure at the point where the spring system meets the Santa Fe River. " Blue Spring " or " Ginnie Spring " (pic to left) inside Ginnie Springs Resort opens up to a big outflow of water flowing into the Santa Fe river. The short pass through the cornflakes leaves divers in a somewhat larger area known as the junction room. Try Scuba Together, they create a channel approximately 300 feet (91 m) long that transports nearly 80 million gallons of water into the Santa Fe River every day. From the bottom of this spring, divers are granted breathtaking views of the surface, as they look skywards through the clear water. Take a much-needed break and relax in one of Florida’s most beautiful natural resources. I had achieved a 9 year dream and dived Ginnie Springs, it was all I had hoped for and more - best of all it was only the first dive ! Ext. Peacock Springs. Numerous passages full of interesting variety branch from the main conduit providing divers of all experience levels with a challenging environment. The Hill 400 tunnel itself remains relatively large generally measuring at least 10' by 10' but contains numerous side passages with silty conditions and reduced size. Where this water bubbles to the surface there are springs, of which more than 700 have been identified. The property is well suited to scuba diving, with a full equipment rental offering and a safety conscious approach. However, divers attempting dives of this nature must be sure to gather all the necessary information, insuring that they understand the potential danger of longer and more complex penetrations. Follow the road another mile to the entrance. The chief attraction here is the Ginnie Cavern, whose wide, open entrance can be found at the bottom of the basin. Beneath the state’s surface, a layer of exceptionally porous marine limestone stores and transports huge quantities of water via a system known as the Floridan Aquifer. From here the diver may continue on the main line or divert to the Right line. Ginnie Ballroom. However, divers are advised to carry torches in order to explore the further recesses of The Ballroom, where they can see geological formations unique to the Floridan Aquifer. Recreational divers are permitted to explore Devil’s Springs as long as they adhere to a strict no-lights policy, put in place to ensure that divers without the appropriate training do not enter the dark cave system, accessible via Devil’s Eye. The next spring, Devil’s Eye, is a circular chimney measuring 20 feet (6 m) cross and 20 feet deep. Scuba Diver Life However, the deck of the wreck is at 34m/110 ft with a maximum depth of 42m/132 ft, resulting in a PO 2 of 1.7-2.0 atm which is well above the CNS toxicity threshold. It pumps about 260 million gallons of water a day and features a network of underwater caves; swimmers have plenty of water to explore. Their argument is that the springs and the ecosystems created by them are under existential threat from pollution and overpumping of groundwater, according to findings by independent scientists. Devil’s Springs serves as the gateway to a cave system featuring more than 30,000 feet (9,100 m) of mapped passageways, and as such is also a favorite site for certified cave divers. Five of the seven springs found on the property provide excellent diving activities while the remaining two springs are better left to snorkeling or swimming. This run and its collection of springs make for enjoyable though generally shallow openwater diving. The spring basin has a maximum depth of 20' and an average discharge of approximately 20 million gallons each day. The upstream or spring side is about 500' of sometimes "no mount" tunnel requiring that the diver push their tank in front of them while the downstream or siphon side is very brief and silty. Turn west (right) onto State Road 340 (Poe Springs Road) and drive about 6.6 miles and then turn north (right) onto a graded road at the sign for Ginnie Springs. The "no lights" rule is designed to prevent inexperienced divers from entering the dark overhead region and becoming lost. The basin is about 18' deep at the entrance to the cavern, the main feature of this spring. The highlight of a dive to Ginnie Springs is its cavern, known as The Ballroom. It's perfect for swimming, tubing, snorkeling and diving. Ginnie Springs Basin The large basin at Ginnie Springs is an excellent area for swimming, snorkeling and openwater diving with visibility often described as "air clear". At the bottom, the chimney opens out into a small cavern. The average visibility is 111-120ft/34-37m. Following the passage another 50' divers will encounter the keyhole restriction leading to another briefly confining area known as the cornflakes. HIGHLIGHTS. Water depth is only 1-2 feet upon entering the water from one of the staircases, and gradually slopes down to about 6 feet in depth at the edge of a limestone shelf. Divers without cavern or cave training are not allowed to bring an underwater light into the Devils area. Get Certified. The sheer volume of water transported through the property by its underground aquifer system ensures that visibility remains at around 200 feet (60 m) throughout the year. For properly experienced divers Ginnie Springs has a large, reasonably benign cavern called the ballroom with a maximum depth of 50'. The Hill 400 area leads to a vast array of more advanced diving areas. The spring basin has a maximum depth of 20' and an average discharge of approximately 20 million gallons each day. Madison Blue Spring State Park. The White Room jump is some 30' off the main line and has a restrictive entrance limiting this area to more experienced cave divers. From the budding cavern diver to the advanced cave diver divers are always able to enjoy the challenge of the Devil's System.