Blue Spring, Orange City, FL

[tj]

Blue Spring was opened on the 1st of March to diving & swimming. The whole run, down to the swimming area is open.

I've dived it 3 times over the past week, and I think the visibility has improved a bit... since November. Visibility today was around 20', less last Tuesday.

[caveswimmer]

I remember not too long ago when Blue Spring was open to diving 365 days per year. I dove there almost weekly. Haven't been there since diving was limited to "protect the manatees." I believe the no-diving rule implementation was handled very poorly by the park manager, and I know for a fact that the park lost many of its regular patrons and biggest supporters. I have limited recreational time and choose to spend that time at the diver-friendly state parks.

[cavemark]

If it is closed todivers to "protect the Manatee", then why is it open during the months the manatee seek the warmer waters of the springs?

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Its typically not... but towards the latter end of April they will open if no manatees are in the run.

[LiteHedded]

it was closed all winter and just opened on march 1st.
if there are manatees near the spring head they close it to diving until they leave.

[tj]

For now... it would be real hard for the manatees to get to the head spring. It is much shallower (1' in areas) than usual. Floods might be in the north of Florida, but not in Central Florida... not yet...