IntermediateShore entry

Catfish Hotel Sink

Florida, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggestedOverhead environment3–21 m (10–70 ft) depthShore entry

Catfish Hotel Sink at a glance

Catfish Hotel Sink is an intermediate shore dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 3–21.3 m (10–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Largemouth bass, Striped mullet, and Bluegill. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:49

Wind forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 10 h ago

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Site hazards: Overhead environment

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Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sun

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9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

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10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

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9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

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8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

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7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

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5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

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Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:17 · Sunrise 7:41 · Sunset 18:49 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 26 Oct, 13:24 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Catfish Hotel Sink

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

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What Divers Say

Known for: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Channel catfish

Best time: Year-round at a constant 72°F; best visibility when the Suwannee River is low (typically late spring through fall low-water periods); river flooding can tannic-out the system. Mind manatee presence in winter (50 ft minimum distance required).

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

January, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
February, 93% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
March, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
April, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
June, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
August, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
October, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
November, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
December, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Catfish Hotel is a duckweed-covered karst window in Manatee Springs State Park on the Suwannee River, connected to the Manatee Springs cave system. Divers descend a wooden staircase into a ~35 ft basin, with a large cavern entrance around 50 ft that opens into a daylight zone reaching about 70 ft. It is a classic North Florida cavern/cave training and staging site, named for the schools of catfish that congregate in the basin.

cavecenoteshore

Overhead environment — large cavern beyond the basin requires cavern certification, full cave beyond the daylight zone; strong siphon flow on one side of the cavern; thick duckweed mat on the surface can disorient on ascent; dark tannic surface layer; submerged trees and silt.

How deep is Catfish Hotel Sink?

Catfish Hotel Sink ranges from 3 to 21.3 metres deep (10–70 feet). It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Catfish Hotel Sink a shore dive or a boat dive?

Catfish Hotel Sink is a shore dive — you can enter from land. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Catfish Hotel Sink?

Catfish Hotel Sink is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 21.3 metres (10–70 feet). Access is from shore, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Catfish Hotel Sink?

Year-round at a constant 72°F; best visibility when the Suwannee River is low (typically late spring through fall low-water periods); river flooding can tannic-out the system. Mind manatee presence in winter (50 ft minimum distance required). Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Catfish Hotel Sink?

Divers at Catfish Hotel Sink in United States commonly report sightings of Largemouth bass, Striped mullet, Bluegill, American eel, and West Indian manatee. Largemouth bass and Bluegill are recorded as common sightings, while West Indian manatee is seasonal, while Striped mullet and American eel are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

What hazards are recorded at Catfish Hotel Sink?

Overhead environment: large cavern beyond the basin requires cavern certification, full cave beyond the daylight zone; strong siphon flow on one side of the cavern; thick duckweed mat on the surface can disorient on ascent; dark tannic surface layer; submerged trees and silt. Hazards and conditions change, so verify current local information before diving.

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