How deep is Vortex Spring?

Vortex Spring has a depth range of 1.5–35.1 metres (5–115 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Vortex Spring?

Vortex Spring is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Open Water for the basin and exterior of the cavern; Cavern certification for the daylight zone; Full Cave certification (with staff-unlocked gate) to enter the cave to 115 ft. certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Vortex Spring?

Divers at Vortex Spring in United States commonly report sightings of Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Channel catfish, Koi/carp (introduced), and Freshwater eel. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

AdvancedShore entry

Vortex Spring

Q: When is the best time to dive Vortex Spring?

The best time to dive Vortex Spring is typically Year-round at a constant 68°F with reliably clear water; weekdays avoid open-water class crowds; unaffected by rain except after major storms.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

Florida, United States

Open Water suggested2–35 m depthShore entry

Vortex Spring at a glance

Vortex Spring is a advanced shore dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 1.5–35.1 m (5–115 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Largemouth bass, Bluegill, and Channel catfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 3h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cavern entrance at 58 ft leads to a gated cave (full cave certification required, staff unlocks the gate; cave open to 115 ft for certified cave divers, barricaded beyond); colder than peninsular springs at ~68°F; training-class crowds; multiple fatalities historically in the cave section.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Tue

Sun6:00–20:00

Mon6:00–12:00

Tue6:00–20:00

Wed6:00–20:00

Thu7:00–20:00

Fri7:00–16:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:31 · Sunrise 5:57 · Sunset 19:42

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Channel catfish

Best time: Year-round at a constant 68°F with reliably clear water; weekdays avoid open-water class crowds; unaffected by rain except after major storms.

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.

Jan92% 9 kn
Feb82% 9 kn
Mar84% 10 kn
Apr91% 9 kn
May89% 8 kn
Jun94% 8 kn
Jul100% 7 kn
Aug99% 7 kn
Sep94% 7 kn
Oct96% 8 kn
Nov94% 8 kn
Dec95% 8 kn

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.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Largemouth bassCommonly seen
BluegillCommonly seen
Channel catfishCommonly seen
Koi/carp (introduced)Commonly seen
Freshwater eelOccasionally seen
Softshell turtleOccasionally seen
CrayfishOccasionally seen

Ariosoma balearicum recorded here Feb (2 records)
most recent 2013
Ambloplites ariommus recorded here Aug (1 record)
most recent 2013
Anguilla rostrata recorded here Aug (1 record)
most recent 2013
Cyprinus carpio recorded here Feb (1 record)
most recent 2013

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

Vortex Spring is the largest commercial dive facility in Florida, a privately run spring resort in the Panhandle near Ponce de Leon producing about 28 million gallons of 68°F water daily. The 200 ft diameter basin slopes to a cavern entrance at 58 ft, with a gated cave continuing to 115 ft for certified cave divers (measured passage ~1,640 ft). Resident freshwater fish and even introduced koi make the shallow basin a favorite for open water training and check-out dives.

caveshore

Cavern entrance at 58 ft leads to a gated cave (full cave certification required, staff unlocks the gate; cave open to 115 ft for certified cave divers, barricaded beyond); colder than peninsular springs at ~68°F; training-class crowds; multiple fatalities historically in the cave section.

Reviews

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