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Dive the Blue Grotto Florida

Written by Nevin
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Published on August 2, 2009

The Blue Grotto located in Williston Florida is then largest clear water cavern in the State.  Offering divers a unique cave diving experience and up to 100’ deep fresh spring water to dive in and explore.

The first thing that will strike you as unusual when you arrive at the Blue Grotto, is the park like atmosphere it is situated in. The area surrounding the cavern is covered in well manicured lawns and houses a dive shop, bathhouses with hot showers and  a score of picnic pavilions where you can enjoy a post dive BBQ with your dive buddies after exploring the caverns.

The second thing that will surprise you is the several ‘additions’ that have been made to the Blue Grotto itself to make it more diver friendly. One of the more unique aspects of Blue Grotto is their fresh compressed air filled “bell” at 30 feet, a safety and novelty feature that allows up to 6 divers to converse with their buddies underwater or stop to take a breather.

The cavern is also illuminated by a one million candle-watt lighting permanent system that illuminates a large part the cavern which is additional illumination to the flashlights provided to the divers. Also underwater are three man made platforms that serve as training areas for open water students and instructors. The grotto also has a system of guideline ropes that lead divers along the cavern  and a highly visible yellow demarcation at 50ft that cautions newer divers not to proceed on. Experienced divers however can explore the lower portions of the grotto.

The mouth of the cavern is around 80ft wide and 20ft high that opens up into a stunningly clear blue pool of fresh spring water that is enough to captivate anyone. It has a large population of fish constantly demanding to be fed by divers, and several turtles that are known to follow you around hoping for hand outs as well.

Admission to the blue Grotto is just $37.30 for the day, which does not include dive gear which can be rented at the dive shop on site. The price of admission includes a short instruction video briefing on the cave and cave diving procedures that are given to all divers before they dive

Overall the Blue Grotto is definitely a unique diving experience for any diver and certainly something you shouldn’t miss the next time you’re in Florida