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AdvancedShore entry

Vortex Spring

Florida, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested2–35 m (5–115 ft) depthShore entry

Vortex Spring at a glance

Vortex Spring is an 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 Channel catfish, Koi/carp (introduced), and Bluegill. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 7:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:01

Wind forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 11 h 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

Lightest wind: Tue
Mon7:00–9:00 favorable, 9:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Wed7:00–8:00 favorable, 8:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Thu7:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Fri7:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Sat7:00–8:00 moderate, 8:00–18:00 favorable

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

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 6:29 · Sunrise 6:54 · Sunset 18:01 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 12:26 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Vortex Spring

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Channel catfish, Koi/carp (introduced), Bluegill
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.

  1. January, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  2. February, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  3. March, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  5. May, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  6. June, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  9. September, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  10. October, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 95% 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 recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, 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.

  • 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

  • Common Carp recorded here Feb (1 record)

    Cyprinus carpiomost recent 2013

Newest record here: 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 (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

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.

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