Alexander Springs
49525 County Road 445, Altoona, FL 32702
Drive time: 1 hr 6 min
Grab your snorkeling gear and plan a trip to Alexander Springs any time year-round. The turquoise waters also welcome swimming, scuba diving and canoeing, so you may have to compete for a spot in the 72-degree water.
Rainbow Springs
19158 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Drive time: 1 hr 46 min
While snorkeling in Rainbow Springs is only allowed in the buoyed swimming area, snorkelers can venture out from the campground or from boats once outside of the headsprings. This spring has been used for nearly 10,000 years, and it is known to be Florida’s fourth largest spring.
Silver Glen Springs
5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134
Drive time: 1 hr 19 min
The springs of Silver Glen lie along the edge of the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest. Although scuba diving is not permitted, snorkelers can take a trip to the springs and enjoy the cultural heritage of the area. And if the sun is shining, be sure to take a look at the bottom of the spring basin as rainbows spread across the floor.
Salt Springs
13851 N. Hwy 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134
Drive time: 1 hr 28 min
Salt Springs is home to an abundance of marine life and aquatic vegetation, so snorkelers are sure to come across some unique habitats. Snorkelers can see striped bass, mullet and small fry, along with needle fish and blue crabs. The 72-degree waters pump approximately 53 million gallons of water per day.
Wekiwa Springs
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712
Drive time: 29 min
The clear waters of Wekiwa Springs State Park are open from 8 a.m. for swimmers and snorkelers to roam. Snorkelers are welcome to explore the cool, 72-degree water of the state park, but make sure to note that snorkeling is not permitted in Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run or the Wekiva River.
Crystal River
498 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429
Drive time: 1 hr 38 min
Snorkeling alone can get a little lonely, and the staff at Crystal River understands. At Crystal River, visitors are allowed to embark on a snorkel tour with manatees. USCG licensed Master Captains will accompany and guide you along the tour with the playful, gentle giants underwater. Up close and personal with the manatees, you can snorkel through the spring-fed ecosystem and get a feel for the mammal’s natural habitats.
DeLeon Springs
601 Ponce Deleon Blvd., De Leon Springs, FL 32130
Drive time: 1 hr
How can you turn down a 625-acre park that features a spring, which overlooks Spring Garden Run? Though it is not allowed to snorkel in the Spring Run, it is permitted to explore the waters in the swimming area of DeLeon Springs, which is a constant 72 degrees and ranges in depth from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil.
Egmont Key
4905 34th St. South #5000, St. Petersburg , FL 33711
Drive time: 1 hr 52 min
Take a trip to Egmont Key State Park if you’re looking to snorkel off a remote island. The blue-green waters call out to snorkelers who are wishing to venture out into Egmont Key’s natural and cultural history. While you’re there, check out the historic lighthouse that has stood on the island since 1858.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
9700 South Hwy A.1.A., Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Drive time: 1hr 43 min
Sebastian Inlet State Park provides three miles of opportunity for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. For snorkelers, stay within 100 feet of the dive flags, and be on the lookout for the various marine life, including snook, redfish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. While snorkeling is permitted in all waters of the Sebastian Inlet State Park, do note that snorkelers are not welcome under the Sebastian Inlet Bridge or in the boat channel.