Florida's underwater caves and springs



Where Are Florida's Underwater Caves? Q: Where are the underwater caves west of Ocala or Gainseville? Some friends were there but cannot remember where exactly they are. It seems like it is in a state park. -- Ed A: Florida has an extensive underwater cave system that stretches for miles under the ground, Ed, as you probably know. If you think it was a state park that your friends went to, it could have been Peacock Springs State Park south of Live Oak (profiled in EcoFlorida's summer 2002 issue). The springs are the thing here, as there is little else to do in the park. The park draws certified cave divers from all over because here they can access one of the longest underwater cave systems in North America. Being a certified cave diver is essential to being allowed to explore the underwater caves here. Even an open-water scuba diving certification won't get you anywhere. The state parks take this seriously because many people have died in Florida's underwater caves. Some underwater caves have even been closed off for this reason. However, even if you aren't any kind of diver, you can still swim and snorkel in Florida's beautiful springs (common entrances for underwater caves) or admire them for what they are. See the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's special site on Florida's springs to learn how springs and underwater caves form, where you can visit springs and other fascinating facts. Disclaimer Read the current Q&A Do you have a question? Contact the editor.
Wildlife and Birds Knowing when wildlife need a rehabilitator How to catch lizards to remove them from your home Removing dead trees without disturbing nesting birds Boars and Foxes Lizard or chameleon? Will alligators attack? Where can I get birdhouse/nesting box plans? What is an umbrella species? What's the deal on shark feeding? What to do about nuisance wildlife Can I have an alligator for a pet? Choosing a manatee-snorkeling or other wildlife-watching tour Snake bites and learning about snakes Alligator attacks are rare Butterfly-watching sites in the Florida Keys How fast can alligators run? Pileated and ivory-billed woodpeckers Manatee trip for a large group Alligator visibility changes with the seasons Which shark species attack in Florida? What should I feed sandhill cranes? "Alligator rides" How many sandhill cranes live in Florida? Bears in Florida?! Shark attacks in Florida Getting your butterfly garden or yard certified How long do sandhill cranes nest? Where to see manatees in April Stingray mating season and danger What to do with pesky sandhill cranes Sandhill crane nesting material Sandhill cranes and birding in Florida Viewing Manatees and Dolphins in Longboat Key Birding at the Prairie Lakes unit of Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area Birding in south Florida with friends Water Sports Water-borne infections/illnesses Boating and camping safety Snorkeling and looking for shark teeth near Sarasota Do I have to take a boat tour to go snorkeling in the Keys? Snorkeling in southwestern Florida Where to surf and camp Central Florida snorkeling Kayaking in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Canoeing the Everglades Good Florida beaches to snorkel Do alligators attack personal watercraft? Where to snorkel in Florida Snorkeling the reef on Looe Key Everglades backcountry canoe tours Snorkeling for the first time near Tampa Should you be afraid of alligators when water-skiing? Playing in the water on Florida's Nature Coast Shallow swimming areas in Florida parks Snorkeling at Long Key State Park Diving trips in Florida Kayaking in southwest Florida's lakes and rivers General Tips Floridan aquifer Nature Travel in Florida with a Baby Where to Ride ATVs in Florida Florida Wildflower Program Florida vacation-planning tips Florida ocean temperatures Shelling in southwestern Florida Stargazing in southeastern Florida Nature education for children and preteens The best time to explore the Everglades Are dogs banned from Florida beaches? Information on red tides in Florida Is the Everglades salt water or fresh water? Alligator Alley / I-75: Are they the same thing? Can you make campfires on Florida beaches? How many people visit the Everglades each year? Taking your dog outdoors in Florida Bank fishing and algal bloom	Touring Florida Florida National Scenic Trail Houseboating in southwestern Florida/Lee Island Coast How do you get around in the Everglades? Whirlwind Florida trip with children Florida cattle ranch tours Exploring Caves (Spelunking) in Florida Visiting Topsail Hill State Park Visiting Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna Natural points of interest in southern Florida Getting away from it all in a cabin Where to hike and lodge between Key West and Tampa Disney-area nature spots in central Florida What's the best way to visit the Everglades for the first time? ATVs / ORVs in Big Cypress Where to see spring wildflowers in central Florida Touring Everglades backcountry Traveling on Florida's west coast Camping Primitive campsites vary in accessibility and "primitiveness" Camping on the lower Suwannee River Where can I camp to see a space shuttle launch? Florida campgrounds near mountain bike trails Ten Thousand Islands camping and boating Backpacking in central Florida backcountry Do I need a camping permit? Campgrounds and campfires Horseback riding and camping on Amelia Island's beaches Cheap campsites in Florida: Primitive camping Camping on the beach in the Panhandle Group camping for college students Where to get senior citizen camping discounts in Florida Cabins in Florida Camping for airboat owners Too young to camp? Where to camp near Florida's north-central Gulf Camping excitement on the Gulf coast Group camping in southern Florida Jacksonville beach camping resource Camping near Daytona Speedway Camgrounds within a short drive from Tampa Horseback riding, camping and mountain biking on the beach Camping information for Florida Caverns State Park and other state parks Are campsite reservations needed in the summer? Primitive beach camping Spring break camping on a college budget Cayo Costa camping: Taking kids and kayaks Southwest Florida camping Family camping between Jacksonville and Daytona Where to camp in Florida during Christmas vacation Camping near Disney World Camping on Florida's central east coast beaches Where to camp near the beach in the Florida Panhandle Southeast Florida camping ideas

Current Issue |Subscribe |Travel Q&A | Photo Gallery |Ecotour Directory

Survey |Media Area |Contact |About |Sitemap

www.ecofloridamag.com/askeditor_underwater_caves.htm
Copyright 2003 this little publishing co. All rights reserved.