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.
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Site hazards: Overhead environment
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First light 6:50 · Sunrise 7:14 · Sunset 19:42
Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 4h ago
Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.
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Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.
No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.
Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.
What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.
July hastypically 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.
Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.
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Data updated June 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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