Diving in the Ocala National Forrest area

[WEPIV]

Does anyone know about the various scuba diving options in the Ocala National Forrest area -- specifically Salt Springs (in Marion County), Silver Glen Springs and Sweetwater Springs?

[Serota]

I don't have any info. about the actual diving in these springs, but this link: http://www.tfn.net/springs/index.html has some info. regarding location, access, etc. and some surface pictures. I will be interested in the other responses you may get.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I've always wondered about this as well, hope someone can shed some light on this. Even if its just legal water access via navigable waterways.

[FW]

Michael Poucher would be the best one to ask, he lives in the area.

[Jerry]

Silver Glen is in the Ocala National Forest and closed to scuba diving. It is a very tight body tube tunnel with an extremely high flow. I have seen the flow pick up (not tumble) a large video light(36V/400W; 3-section MLS) set on the bottom. It took us 30 minutes to get through the front tunnel and a mere 6 minutes to get out.

You have to be on top of your side-mount game; I don't mean it worked well at Ginnie but prepared for going through a Rock Bluff entrance (very tight and EXTREME flow) for over 600 feet.

In the beginner/intermediate/advanced scheme; this cave is off the charts.

Jerry

[Jay]

I don't have any info. about the actual diving in these springs, but this link: http://www.tfn.net/springs/index.html has some info. regarding location, access, etc. and some surface pictures. I will be interested in the other responses you may get.

Great link! I wish they were more specific about cave diving restrictions though!

[Oister]

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...ve_systems.asp

Let me know if you find anything good. We have family right there. Would love to have a place close when we visit.

[stairman]

Salt spgs is only nine ft.deep[no scuba]Silver Glen is closed to diving and has an extensive cave system as seen on one of the Waters Journeys films with Jill Heinerth.Sweetwater is boat access on Juniper creek and may be your only possibility.Alexander has diving but whats the use when you can hold your breath and reach the bottom[no mount opening].Nice area to swim ,hunt,fish,camp and kayak though.

[Serota]

Great link! I wish they were more specific about cave diving restrictions though!

I don't think these guys were divers at all, but they sure dreamed up a fun way to spend their time - canoeing the rivers and looking for springs, taking pictures and putting it online. I have found their descriptions and locational info. to be fairly accurate.

[JE]

Salt spgs is only nine ft.deep[no scuba]Silver Glen is closed to diving and has an extensive cave system as seen on one of the Waters Journeys films with Jill Heinerth.Sweetwater is boat access on Juniper creek and may be your only possibility.Alexander has diving but whats the use when you can hold your breath and reach the bottom[no mount opening].Nice area to swim ,hunt,fish,camp and kayak though.

This is pretty accurate, but Sweetwater is by permission only from the state of Florida-!! & probably not available to divers due to the regulations.
Forget Salt Spgs, nothing there to see or even to squeeze into.
Silver Glen is also State & or privately owned, as far as I know, & is not permissioned to dive lest you are employed by Florida as a Geologist or other environmentalist doing karst studies! By far, Silver Glen is one of the most beautiful systems in the state, but don't even think of sneaking this place.....it is patrolled & fines are heavy-! There are others virtually un-explored in the Ocala area & maybe if you are nice to Tegg, he'll invite you along on one of his treks-!
Cheers
^_^
Jack