Ponce de Leon, Florida, United States

Vortex Spring

Vortex Spring is a privately operated freshwater dive resort in the Florida Panhandle near Ponce de Leon, fed by a first-magnitude spring that pushes 100 million litres per day at a constant 22 C. The open basin is a sand-and-limestone bowl from the surface to about 17 metres, equipped with platforms, training stations, sunken VW Beetle, school bus, and various playthings for instructors. From the bottom of the bowl, the spring vent itself drops as a cavern into a long cave system that has been mapped to over 1,500 metres of passage at depths to 35 metres or more (cave training required to enter). The shallow open area is one of the most popular open-water training spots in the southeast and the site runs full-time scuba operations including training, gear rental and on-site accommodation. Resident species include native fish such as bluegill, largemouth bass, small turtles and the occasional eel. Visibility in the open bowl is gin-clear, often exceeding 30 metres. Wetsuits recommended for thermal comfort beyond a single dive.