Location:
Take Interstate 75 to State Road 40(old exit 69) and head
east 3 miles to Pine Avenue (Hwy 301-441-27). Turn (right) follow
about eight miles to where the road begins to split. Take the first available U-turn after the road comes
back together. Now you will be heading north on 301-441-27. As the roadway
divides again, you will see a mail box with a
dive flag next to a dirt road. Follow the dirt road about a half mile (cross the
railroad tracks)
to Paradise Springs. Phone 1-904-368-5746
Description:
Paradise Springs is a commercially operated dive
site. This is an advanced (cavern and cave) dive, so open water divers
should limit their depth to 60 feet while those with cavern and cave training
are welcome to go further. The maximum depth at Paradise Springs is 140
feet. At best the whole spring should be considered to be a cavern dive
and you should be appropriately trained for an overhead environment. Anything
below 100 feet is absolutely a cave dive and should not be attempted without
the correct training, equipment, and gas mix. You need lights throughout
the dive. The entrance fee is $27, though reservations are no longer accepted and there
are air fills available on the site for about $5. This is a nice dive with visibility often being
excellent, although you should arrive early or during a weekday to avoid
the crowd. Depths can reach 140ft, though it really starts to get silty past 100
feet where a warning sign is posted.
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