Devil’s Den: The Top 4 Reasons All Adventurers Should Dive Here
Those who are called to the ocean to explore its depths often find themselves traveling to Florida for world-class scuba and snorkeling experiences. With over 1,300 miles of shoreline, Florida comes in second only to Alaska for the state with the most shoreline in the US, making it an ideal place to visit for open water diving.
But if you’re only diving along Florida’s shorelines, you’re missing out! Located centrally in Florida’s peninsula near Williston, Florida, Devil’s Den Spring is one of the most otherworldly places to dive and snorkel in all of North America. Made up of entirely freshwater, Devil’s Den offers visitors a look at the most unique diving and snorkeling experience in the state of Florida.
So, if you’re planning your next diving trip to Florida, be sure to read over these reasons why you must make diving the Devil’s Den a priority!
Why Devil’s Den?
Early settlers to Florida discovered this natural wonder and realized that there was something extraordinary about it. During the winter months, the opening that allows you to stare down into the chamber bellows steam from below, making it seem as though smoke was rising from beneath the surface of the Earth. Reminding them of Biblical scenes, the settlers named the area the “Devil’s Den,” as if the Devil himself resided under the water!
While the name may sound terrifying, the natural spring is anything but Lucifer’s layer. It has some of the most amazing geology that divers will ever be lucky enough to encounter!
A Diving Experience Unlike Any Other
Scuba diving opens up an entirely different world. The sport allows you to witness parts of our earth that many people never get to lay eyes on! Devil’s Den allows you to bring that experience of ocean diving inland, so you can witness how the Earth looked millions of years ago.
The limestone cave is filled by the naturally rising freshwater spring that shows the very top of Florida’s water table. It is undisturbed by ocean swells and currents, so the erosion that has occurred has been minimal. This gives divers a unique view of the geology, as rock formations haven’t been scrubbed away by years of being beaten on by the surf.
This also allows the water to be incredibly clear, giving you a dive experience like no other. Water temperatures are always at a comfortable 72°F, which makes it feel refreshingly cool during the summer. But summertime isn’t the only time you can dive here! The Devil’s Den Spring is open 364 days a year, only closing for Christmas, so feel free to dive here year-round.
Not Dive Certified? No Problem!
One of the most challenging parts about scuba diving is that you need to be certified to dive safely. Many things can go wrong when you dive, making it incredibly important that you take a class and pass all of your certification tests before expecting to dive at the Devil’s Den!
But don’t let that deter you from visiting. Snorkeling gives visitors another great opportunity to experience the Devil’s Den without having to be scuba certified. You can bring your own gear, so long as your fins aren’t free diving style fins. If you don’t have your own gear, no worries! You can rent snorkeling gear for the entire day.
Snorkelers can dive up to 8ft down, which is plenty to get a good look at the cave walls. Keep your eyes peeled for prehistoric fossils that are still embedded inside of the limestone! And always be on the lookout for the dragons that call the cave home as well! LOL
Where to Stay When Visiting the Devil’s Den
After you’re done diving or snorkeling Devil’s Den, there are plenty of places on the property to stay for the night. Whether you’re tent camping, RVing, or renting one of the 4 cabins that they have on-site, there is sure to be something that will meet the needs of you and your group.
Tent camping at the Devils Den is first come, first served, so be sure to get to your spot early to claim it for your stay. There are plenty of bathrooms that have shower access in the campground, which ensures that you’ll be able to stay nice and clean throughout your stay.
For RV camping, there are 32 campsites to choose from. Getting to the Den early will ensure that you get one of the spots with full hook-ups, so be sure to get there early to reserve your spot if you intend to stay for a while.
And for those who want to enjoy their stay at Devil’s Den Spring in the ultimate comfort and style, be sure to reserve one of the four cabins on the property. Each cabin comes with indoor plumbing, a kitchenette, and enough beds to sleep up to 4 people. Best of all, you get a discount for each additional night that you stay!
Final Thoughts
The Devil’s Den Spring is a can’t miss vacation destination when visiting central Florida. It offers a dive experience like no other, as the cave has been largely undisturbed for millions of years! It’s incredibly comfortable to dive in with a constant water temperature of around 72°F, which will allow you to fully explore the otherworldly scenery of the cave safely!
For those who aren’t dive certified (yet), you can choose to snorkel or even take a dive certification class while you visit! (And we can’t think of a more unique or better place to do so.) Devil’s Den offers instructors the opportunity to reserve areas of the property to teach new divers how to dive properly, as it is a certified scuba diving training center.
Finally, if you’re unable to explore the entire cave in one dive, be sure to book a campsite or cabin conveniently located on the property to extend your stay with multiple dives in the cave.
So what are you waiting for? Go check out Devil’s Den and be sure to share your adventure with us in the comments below and tag us in your posts on social media!
Cover Image
Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife via Flickr
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