florida springs

Grab Your Snorkel Set & Lets Head to Florida

by Cathy on October 12, 2010

Photo @ William Garvin

In Chicago, it is getting chilly, to chilly to snorkel or at least for me. But to continue with my fun hobby for the rest of the year, where can we go that is inexpensive? Florida has many great locations and they do have great State Parks. Grab your snorkel set and lets go for a trip!

The Blue Spring State Park is west of Orange City and is a spring that has a constant 72 degrees water temperature. Because the spring is a safe haven warm water refuge for the  West Indian Manatees, the park is closed to snorkeling (and all water sports) from Nov 15 – Mar 1.

Now if your goal is to snorkel with the manatees, go to Crystal River in Florida. Here is a great video that you and the family will enjoy. It was produced by Birds Underwater Inc. Dont forget your snorkel set!

Dont Forget Your Snorkeling Fins, Time to Cool Off… in Florida

by Cathy on August 3, 2010

With summer here, the temperatures can get quite high… it is great time to cool off. Being in Chicago, we have a lot of swimming pools but I am more interested in the lakes or quarries where the fishies are.

When we think snorkeling in Florida, we think oceans or Gulf of Mexico, but did you ever think quarries? The Floridians call them Springs and the State of Florida has many State Parks that allow snorkeling. Now dont forget your snorkel mask, snorkel and snorkeling fins and now check out the snorkeling spots.

1) Ponce de Leon State Park

2) Fanning Springs State Park

3) Peacock Springs State Park

4) Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

5) Dunnellon’s Rainbow Springs State Park

6) Ichetucknee Springs State Park

7) Salt Springs Recreation Area

8) Alexander Springs Recreation Area

9) Juniper Springs Recreation Area

10) Blue Spring

11) Wekiwa Springs

Read more about the snorkeling quarries in Florida by Terry Tomalin from the St. Petersburg Time.