Blue Grotto Dive Resort

Blue Grotto is an open-sky sinkhole spring, roughly 100 feet across and 100 feet deep, with three submerged training platforms at progressive depths and an air bell at 30 feet where divers surface their regulators and talk to each other in a bubble of compressed air surrounded by 72-degree water. Virgil, a resident female softshell turtle, will swim up and eat from your hand. The cavern walls are embedded with fossils dating back 33 million years.

This is Florida's most-used freshwater scuba training site. Open Water students do their certification dives here every week of the year. It is also open to recreational divers, snorkelers (weekdays only), and freedivers (under instructor supervision).

Not a swimming spring. Scuba and snorkeling only.

• Location: Williston (Levy County), 30 minutes from Gainesville
• Address: 3852 NE 172nd Ct, Williston, FL 32696
• Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (last check-in 2 p.m.)
• Diver admission: $57
• Snorkeler admission: $22 (weekdays only, or with a diver group)
• Full gear rental: $74 package
• Water temperature: 72°F year-round
• Depth: Basin to 40 ft; cavern to 60 ft; lower chamber to 100 ft
• Visibility: Routinely 100 ft
• Phone: 352-528-5770

• Scuba training dives — the primary use. Three basin platforms, a training pool, a classroom, covered pavilions for briefings. OW cert required to dive.
• Recreational scuba — explore the basin and upper cavern; the air bell at 30 ft is the highlight. Virgil the turtle will find you.
• Cave diving — lower chamber (60–100 ft) requires Cave Diver cert. Gated.
• Snorkeling — weekdays only, or with a diver group. Surface only over the basin.
• Night diving — by advance arrangement.
• Freediving — weekdays under instructor supervision only.

• Cedar-lined cabins ($88–$185/night)
• Cottages (1–2 bedrooms)
• Blue Grotto Guest House (3 BR, sleeps 8, ~$300/night)
• Tent camping (~$21/night)
• RV sites with hookups (~$40/night)

• 5 minutes from Devil's Den — combine both for a full dive day.
• Weekdays are dramatically less crowded and the only day snorkelers are guaranteed entry.
• Wetsuit recommended — 72°F feels cold after extended bottom time.
• No pets. Cash or card accepted.
• Bring food — no restaurant on-site; nine covered pavilions with tables.

Last verified: May 28, 2026. Privately owned. Verify fees and hours at divebluegrotto.com or call 352-528-5770.