One of the great things about our part of Florida is that there are more places to dive than just Blue Grotto. If you’d like to experience sites such as Devil’s Den or Paradise Spring, you will find they have websites that will tell you what you need to know.
One site that does not have its own website is Rainbow River. A Google search will provide links to websites and videos that show you what you can expect to see but come up short when it comes to telling you how to go about diving the river.
You will also find links to dive operators that will take you on a guided dive on Rainbow River…for a fee. If you are the kind of diver who prefers going with a guide, you should check them out. However, Rainbow River is an easy and shallow dive and should be well within the capabilities of any certified diver.
This article will tell you what Rainbow River is and how to plan and make your dive.
What is Rainbow River?
Located 40 minutes south of Blue Grotto, Rainbow River is not a river but rather one of Florida’s two longest and largest spring runs. This helps explain its unusual clarity.
- The “river” originates at Rainbow River State Park and flows six miles downstream to the Withlacoochee (an actual river).
- You can snorkel at the state park, but you can’t dive there. What you must do instead is go to KP Hole County Park two miles downstream.
- After parking and paying your admission fee to the park, you will board the independently operated Rainbow Water Taxi for a trip a mile or more upstream. You will find a link to the water taxi website below.
- After entering the water, you will drift almost effortlessly back to your starting point.
- Along the way, you will see a variety of fish and other aquatic animals. You will also see some geologic oddities, such as sand that “boils.”
Things to keep in mind
- Although there are spots where the river is over 20 feet deep, it is mostly shallow — typically around six to seven feet.
- There can be a lot of boat traffic. This makes towing a dive flag essential. You and your buddies must bring one with you because you can’t get into the water without it.
- The water taxi has a few flags they can lend you; however, you will be gambling that these have not been taken previously. If you rent equipment from us, we have a flag you can borrow. Just be sure to get it back to us along with your rental equipment before we close at 5:00.
- Once the water taxi drops you off, it heads back for another load of divers. It doesn’t stay with you. So don’t take anything that can’t go in the water with you.
- Bear in mind that everything on both sides of the river is private property. Once you enter the water, you cannot get out again until you arrive back at KP Hole Park.
- As you dive, listen for boats. If you hear one, hug the bottom and watch for passing propellers. It’s important that everyone in your group be no more than ten feet from the diver towing the flag. Think of this person as your buddy. Staying close to him means the dive flag will provide you with the most protection.
- Listen carefully to the captain’s briefing on how to recognize the boat ramp and docks that are your exit point. If you miss them, you will have to drift another four miles to the town of Dunnellon before you can get out.
- You can’t get fills or rent equipment at the park. Fortunately, we can get you everything you will need.
If you have questions about this or other area dive sites, we will be happy to answer them.