Jordan Hinsch
Jul 15, 20212 min
Florida is the #1 state in the US for scuba diving and features the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo. Key Largo and the Florida Keys isn't the only area with great diving opportunities though. Here is a list of the best dive sites in the state of Florida.
Closest City: Key Biscayne
Depth: 40 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Crab, Lobster, Morays, Nurse Sharks, Grouper, Rays
Notable Attributes: The largest man-made reef.
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 25 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Grouper, Morays, Nurse Sharks, Rays
Notable Attributes: Statue of Jesus submerged 25 feet under water
Closest City: West Palm Beach
Depth: 20 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Rays, Flounder, Octopi, Barracuda
Notable Attributes: Macro photographers from around the country frequent this spot.
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 80-130 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Bull Sharks, Barracuda, Schools of Jack, Grouper
Notable Attributes: Site of the USS Spiegel Grove, a 510 foot ship.
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 10-70 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Lobster, Crab, Morays, Turtles, Rays, Nurse Sharks
Notable Attributes: Spur and groove coral formations
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 50-85 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Rays, Turtles, Hammerhead Sharks, Reef Sharks
Notable Attributes: Vibrant coral!
Location: Williston
Depth: 50 feet
Wildlife: A small turtle named Nelson
Notable Attributes: A freshwater prehistoric spring. Water temperatures are always 72 degrees, cold for Florida.
Closest City: Homestead
Depth: 55-85 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Octopi, Morays, Nurse Sharks
Notable Attributes: It's an underwater National Park. If you don't have your own boat with proper permits, the only charter company to take you diving is Tropic Scuba.
Location: Dunnellon
Depth: 25 feet
Wildlife: Fish, Turtles, Otters
Notable Attributes: This is a drift dive as you're in a river situated in Central Florida.
Closest City: Pensacola
Depth: 84-212 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Bull Sharks, Barracuda, Schools of Jack, Grouper
Notable Attributes: The USS Oriskany is one of the largest wrecks in the world at 911 feet. Only the best divers should attempt.