|
Silver Springs State Park
 1425 Northeast 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470
|
Max Depth: 31-35ft/9-11m
Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
|
Rating: 5.00 by 2 divers
Spring: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Summer: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Fall: 71-75°F/22-24°C
Winter: 71-75°F/22-24°C
|
|
|
|
Silver Springs State Park is a shore accessible fresh water dive site, located at 1425 Northeast 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470. This dive site has an average rating of 5.00 out of 5 from 2 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 31-35ft/9-11m. The average visibility is 91-100ft/28-30m.
Silver Springs State Park is not open to divers, however, for the dozen of us on the Silver Springs Professional Dive Team, we have been granted access to the basin and river run (not the cave system), to keep it clean of debris and human trash, clean the bottom of the glass bottom boats, and pressure wash the statues from the 1960’s of the algae that grows on them.
Silver Springs is a real treasure that might one day be reopened to the public for scuba diving, but not just yet. Meanwhile, the staff at Silver Springs State Park is very friendly, and most accommodating. The Park itself is a great place to take the family, and/or, have a wedding. It’s quite beautiful, and easily accessible in Ocala.
While the aquatic life is down right now, given all the nitrates and other pollution running off into the spring systems, the jungle life from the movie making days is still prolific with rhesus monkeys.
Inside the spring, we see beautiful pitch pots and bones from long ago. Legend has it that in the 1930’s, gorillas were placed on an island along the river for a jungle tour, but being that they could not swim, they all died. Then, the rhesus monkeys were shipped in, and they could swim, leaving the island and taking up residence downstream. Maybe some of the bones are from the gorillas?
The history of Silver Springs State Park, is an exceptional read.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Springs_%28attraction%29