Dive Into the Blue Grotto in Florida
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I’ve always been infatuated with the ocean from an early age and although many things have changed throughout my life, my love for the water has remained constant. In January of 2020, my Dad and I became certified scuba divers and it was probably one of the best Christmas presents I could’ve asked for, especially because I was able to share this experience with my Dad. I immediately began researching unique places to dive in Florida and Blue Grotto quickly climbed to the top of my list.
Blue Grotto in Florida is a privately owned dive resort with a natural spring. If you thought Florida only had beaches to offer then think again. Florida is home to 700 natural springs… that’s right, 700! Most of them have the most crystal clear water you’ve ever seen and remain at a cool temperature of 72 degrees year-round.
Where is Blue Grotto in Florida?
Blue Grotto is located in the small town of Williston in Central Florida. It’s 30 minutes southwest of Gainesville and 30 minutes northwest of Ocala. Central Florida is a treasure trove of natural springs so if you plan on visiting Blue Grotto and have time to extend your trip, be sure to check out one of the other many springs and dive sites nearby. The popular Rainbow River Springs is also only about 30 minutes away and that’s where we spent the rest of our weekend after diving at Blue Grotto.
Other Dive Sites and Springs Near Blue Grotto
Devil’s Den Prehistoric Springs - 5 minutes away
Rainbow Springs - 29 minutes away
Manatee Springs State Park - 37 minutes away
Silver Springs State Park - 46 minutes away
Three Sisters Springs - 47 minutes away
Ginnie Springs - 50 minutes away
Cavern Diving at Blue Grotto Dive Resort
Diving at Blue Grotto Springs is one of the most unique experiences in Florida and for good reason! Blue Grotto is the spring side of a sinkhole and the three distinct sections of the site are filled with interesting artifacts such as the famous air bell and numerous small statues. The Blue Grotto Springs caught my attention because it’s a large cavern that has three different levels that you can dive down to with a max depth of 100 ft, so it’s great for beginner divers wanting to get more open water experience, as well as more experienced divers.
As you continue down into the cavern, it eventually turns into a cave where only licensed cave divers have access to. This was our first open-water dive after getting our certification so I was happy hovering around 50ft. Another plus is that you don’t have to worry about it being crowded with snorkelers because they must be accompanied by a diver and are only allowed to snorkel on weekdays.
Once you arrive at the Blue Grotto dive site, you’ll visit the front desk where you pay for your dive and any rental equipment needed. Admission for divers is $54 per person and if you need to rent gear, they offer a combo package which is $113 per person. Snorkelers pay $21 per person and if you’re just coming along to watch then admission is $6.49.
The site has public bathrooms and plenty of space to gear up with tons of picnic areas for a nice lunch after your dive. Once you’re all set, you’ll walk down to the platform and jump right in! You get your first glimpse of the crystal clear water as you make your way down to the platform and I couldn’t believe how blue it was! You could see probably at least 15-20 feet down which makes it easy to tell if there’s a fellow diver where you’re about to jump in.
Once in the water, you can explore the open water section and make your way down to the Upper Cavern. I personally loved having the different platforms to stop at since it was my first dive on my own and I hadn’t quite mastered my buoyancy yet. As you explore the cavern, you’ll see bright yellow fish and possibly the soft shell turtle named Virgil that lives in the spring. Another cool, unique feature about this dive site is that there’s a dive bell, also known as an air bell. It’s located about 30 feet below the surface and you and your dive buddy can pop into, breathe normally, and even talk to one another.
In total, we stayed down a little over an hour and I highly recommend visiting the Blue Grotto if you’re a new open water diver or if you're looking for somewhere to go cave diving. There’s so much to see in the cavern and the further you go, the more you see. Right past the 50 feet point, there are fossils on the walls that are interesting and really neat to look at. While I hovered around 50 feet, my Dad and dive buddy, went just a few feet further while still in my line of sight and got to see the petrified fossils in the walls of the cavern.
Where to Stay Near Blue Grotto in Florida
The folks at Blue Grotto Dive Resort have made it super easy and convenient to visit by offering accommodation options on-site! The Blue Grotto Guest House is a great option for larger groups. It’s a 3-bedroom house with two full bathrooms and runs about $300 per night. For smaller groups, Blue Grotto offers a variety of cottages and cabins ranging from $88-$185 per night. If you want to enjoy nature a little bit more, you can even bring your tent and camp on-site for $21 per night! They also welcome RV’s on the property and that will run you about $40 per night.
If you don’t want to stay on-site at Blue Grotto then plan on driving about 30 minutes to either Ocala, Gainesville, or Rainbow Springs to find hotels. Some I recommend are:
The Gator Den Motel Dunnellon averages $99/night
Getaway Gilchrist Springs averages $140/night
Hilton Garden Inn Ocala Downtown averages $140/night
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ocala averages $180/night
FAQs: Blue Grotto Florida
How deep is Blue Grotto in Florida?
The Blue Grotto in Florida reaches a maximum depth of 100 ft. This dive site is broken up into three sections: the open water section is about 20 feet deep, the Upper Cavern section is about 50 feet deep, and the Lower Chamber reaches 1000 feet deep.
Can you snorkel at Blue Grotto Springs?
Yes! You can snorkel at Blue Grotto Springs only on weekdays or if you’re visiting with a group that is scuba diving. Snorkelers must be at least eight years old and snorkelers under 18 years old must be under adult supervision at all times.
Can you swim at Blue Grotto Dive Resort?
No, you can only scuba dive, snorkel, and free dive at Blue Grotto Dive Resort.
Is the Blue Grotto worth it?
Yes! I was a newly certified recreational diver when I visited and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one of the most unique diving experiences in Florida.
What's the best time to visit Blue Grotto?
Most divers favor late spring to early fall—between April and November—for the warm weather and vibrant underwater life. I visited in June and it was nice to warm up in the sun after getting out of the water. The water stays at 72 degrees year-round.
Is Blue Grotto safe for diving beginners?
Yes! Blue Grotto caters to divers of all proficiency levels and offers professional instructors on-site to guide you, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned diver. Trust me, it's a fun, safe, and memorable way to learn. The open water area is best for beginner divers, while the Lower Chamber requires specialized training and is only for very advanced divers.
Are there any local restaurants you'd recommend?
Absolutely—Indulge your palate at Ivy House Restaurant, they serve the best southern-style comfort foods. A cake slice from their in-house bakery is a must-have! Sister’s Place is also really great, as well as Pyber Kub for burgers and fries.
Happy travels!
-Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
