United States » Ginnie Springs - Ginnie Spring

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Rated 2.4/5 stars (618 ratings)

Overview Location & Specifics Conditions Resources Nearby Systems  
Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.

Ginnie Spring is located within a privately-operated park and resort, called Ginnie Springs Outdoors, approximately 6.5 miles northwest of High Springs on the south side of the Santa Fe River. From the junction of US 441/41 and US 27 in High Springs, drive southwest on US 41/27 for 0.8 miles. Turn west (right) on SR 340. Drive 6.6 miles then turn north (right) on a graded road. Travel 1.2 miles to the Ginnie Springs Resort entrance. Follow the road behind the office, turn north (left) at the bathhouse, and continue down to the spring.

Description - The Ginnie Spring pool is roughly circular, measuring 90 ft in diameter and 12.2 ft deep in the center. Clear, bluish water issues from a cavernous vent underneath a limestone ledge on the east side of the pool. No boil was visible in May 2002. The spring has a sand and limestone bottom. Some aquatic vegetation occurs in both the spring and its run. There are two scuba diving/swimming access platforms along the south side of the spring pool. The pool is otherwise surrounded by cypress and hardwood trees. The spring run is approximately 35 ft wide, 3 ft deep and flows east about 500 ft under a forest canopy into the Santa Fe River. The spring and run are situated entirely within the river floodplain. The Santa Fe River was crystal clear during the May 2002 visit; however, it normally is tea-colored. Exotic aquatic vegetation is abundant in both the spring run and nearby Santa Fe River. Rosenau et al. (1977) report that an extensive cave system extends well beyond the vent underneath the limestone ledge to the east and south. The cave system includes some 1,100 ft of known passages (Rosenau et al. 1977). Cavern diving is popular in Ginnie Spring; however, the cave system is blocked with a gate to prevent divers from entering beyond the light zone. Several other springs that are open to cave diving occur within the park.

Utilization - Ginnie Spring is within the privately-owned Ginnie Springs Outdoors Resort. The resort is extensive, has full facilities, and is a major scuba diving attraction offering open water and cave diving.
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Latitude: 29.83615
Longitude: -82.70017
Zone:
Coordinate System:
Maximum Depth: 60'
 Cave Diving
 Cavern Diving
 Open Water Diving
Date Submitter Visbility Remarks
9/25/2018 Tim unlimited Brought my newly certified 13-year-old son down from Missouri to dive the clear waters of Ginnie. We were not disappointed. Since he is newly certified, the dives were open water. We were the only divers in this spring and the first of the day.
9/15/2014 Greg 50 ft. River is up, tarp is in place. Scootered up Hill 400, to Hillier Tunnel, to Double Domes, to Stage Bottle Rock and back on gold line, then through Bone Tunnel. Vis reduced throughout. Approx. 50 ft. and approx. 40 ft. In Bone Tunnel. Flow is down.
9/7/2014 TS 80 Cavern clear. Rainy day, so we had the place to ourselves.
6/30/2012 Kristi Draper unknown Ginnie is closed to all water activities until further notice. I was there on 6/30 but could not dive. Water was up to bottom of "Dangerous Cave" warning sign near basin/Ballroom stairs. The dirt road to Devil's Ear/Eye was under at least 6' of water.
2/25/2012 Brandon 100 Had a great dive in the cavern. There were ALOT of OW students there but even with all the students, it was still clear.
6/27/2011 Justin Berke 100' Very clear, even with large crowds.
7/13/2009 JD 25-30' (poor) I had done a solo dive here and it had just got done raining, and a bunch of ow divers in the basin, and some cavern students in the cavern were just silting the hell out of the place, anyways i ran a line for pratice, and because the dang silt out from the rain, and divers, by the time i got toward the back everyone was out, and i was the only one in there, i must have been 30' from the grate and i turned around to see my cousin free dive into the back of the cavern silting the place out even worse, and i could barely see the glow from the entrance... The dive was made on Double LP 108's with EAN 40, and I was in there for a while just admireing the beauty, and my cousin (who can hold his breath for 4 mins) is tugging at my regulator, and his head was bleeding so i gave him my reg (7' hose) switched to my redundant, and exited, to find out that the flow shoved him against the celing and he banged his head... i couldn't stop laughing...but anyways, everything was "safe" and we were all alright so thats my report... -Safe diving
11/2/2008 Fed 100 Dove Ginnie after a cold front came in. Very few divers. We were the only ones in the ballroom for our first dive. Viz was the best I had seen it, perfectly clear like if you were floating in mid air. Flow at the gate was not very strong. Lots of schooling mullet in the main basin. Steam was coming off the spring in the morning, outside temp was about 40degrees.
9/6/2008 Raphael Tremblay 80 Dove with an OW diver. Water was clear and did no show input from river water (brown) as seen in Devils' right now. Good flow at the gate.
5/20/2007 Chris Krier 100' Flow is up at the grate. Being the weekend before memorial day the crowd was very light. The water level is the same that it was in January. There is a new plaque back in the furthest room to the left.
1/13/2007 Chris Krier 100' Flow still seems a bit down at the gate. Tons of people in there this weekend. River level is still down so the basin is still a bit lower than it should be. Only the last step before the concrete pads is actually in the water. As always the vis is "Gin"
7/18/2006 Walter Pickel 100' Tagged along with a cavern class. Flow was actually less than it usually is at the gate.
1/13/2006 Jim Wyatt 100 feet Ear is covered in tannic. There is a temporary permanent line from the cavern zone to the gold line in the Eye to help prevent the spider web of lines that often occurs there. Flow is still up, visibility is "Ginnie".
10/31/2005 Mathew Bull 100' Gin clear if you get in before the classes, slightly less if you're in the water when everyone else has already gotten in.
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Description Type Date Author Remarks
 Cavern Map Map
 Home Page Web Site
 System Map Map
 System Map #2 Map
Sslect Search Radius:
System Depth Cave Cavern OW Last Report Distance (mi)
 Overview Information Available for Manatee Springs - Friedmans Sink  Manatee Springs - Friedman's Sink 105 True False False 6/9/2024 29.1
 Overview Information Available for Croaker Hole  Croaker Hole 60 True False False 5/28/2024 66.6
 Overview Information Available for Apopka Blue Sink  Apopka Blue Sink 110 True False False 5/21/2024 103.3
 Overview Information Available for Madison Blue Springs  Madison Blue Springs 130 True True False 4/2/2024 55.1
 Overview Information Available for Little River  Little River 110 True True True 3/15/2024 19.4
 Overview Information Available for Eagles Nest  Eagle's Nest 315 True False False 3/14/2024 88.7
 Overview Information Available for Buford Spring  Buford Spring 167 True True False 3/14/2024 83.4
 Overview Information Available for Cow Spring  Cow Spring 110 True False False 1/20/2024 30.9
 Overview Information Available for Edwards Spring  Edward's Spring 145 True False False 10/27/2023 47.2
 Overview Information Available for Telford Spring  Telford Spring 80 True False False 8/17/2023 33.6
   Lost 40 165 True False False 7/15/2023 90.4
 Overview Information Available for Cherokee Sink  Cherokee Sink 80 True True True 6/18/2023 99.4
 Overview Information Available for Ruth Spring  Ruth Spring 50 True False False 6/11/2023 19.9
 Overview Information Available for Volusia Blue Springs  Volusia Blue Springs 120 False True True 5/28/2023 102.4
 Overview Information Available for Hospital Hole  Hospital Hole 143 False True True 4/30/2023 90.3
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Peacock III  Peacock Springs - Peacock III 214 True False False 3/12/2023 32.5
 Overview Information Available for Manatee Springs - Catfish Hotel  Manatee Springs - Catfish Hotel 105 True True True 2/27/2023 29.2
 Overview Information Available for Paradise Springs  Paradise Springs 140 True True True 2/23/2023 63.1
 Overview Information Available for Hart Springs - Black Lagoon  Hart Springs - Black Lagoon 80 True False False 1/14/2023 18.6
 Overview Information Available for Crab Creek Springs  Crab Creek Springs 60 True False False 1/14/2023 77.7
 Overview Information Available for Jug Spring  Jug Spring 80 True True False 1/12/2023 10.5
 Overview Information Available for Suwannee Springs  Suwannee Springs 140 True False False 1/8/2023 41
 Overview Information Available for Lafayette Blue Springs  Lafayette Blue Springs 100 True False False 11/26/2022 37.3
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Peacock I  Peacock Springs - Peacock I 175 True True False 11/17/2022 32.6
 Overview Information Available for Royal Spring  Royal Spring 50 True True True 11/15/2022 28.2
   Warm Springs 140 False True False 11/1/2022 83.2
 Overview Information Available for Sunbeam Spring  Sunbeam Spring 80 True False False 10/15/2022 7.6
 Overview Information Available for Wards Sink  Ward's Sink 198 True True True 9/30/2022 100
 Overview Information Available for Charles Spring  Charles Spring 80 True False False 7/30/2022 39.1
 Overview Information Available for Alligator Rescue Spring  Alligator Rescue Spring True False False 5/20/2022 33.4
   Lafayette Blue - Kitty Sink 100 True False False 5/9/2022 37.8
 Overview Information Available for Hart Springs - Little Hart  Hart Springs - Little Hart 80 True False False 5/7/2022 18.7
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Orange Grove  Peacock Springs - Orange Grove 175 True True True 3/30/2022 32.7
   Harvey's Cave 280 True False False 10/13/2021 100.7
 Overview Information Available for Ginnie Springs - Devils Ear / Eye  Ginnie Springs - Devil's Ear / Eye 173 True True True 9/28/2021 0.2
   Leon Sinks - Emerald Sink 180 True True False 8/9/2021 103.8
   Area 53 46 True True False 7/19/2021 84.1
   Arch Sink 197 True True False 7/18/2021 97.7
 Overview Information Available for Blue Grotto  Blue Grotto 105 True True True 3/8/2021 33.6
   Devils Den 60 False True True 3/2/2021 32.4
 Overview Information Available for Alexander Springs  Alexander Springs 30 False True True 2/17/2021 85.4
 Overview Information Available for Troy Spring  Troy Spring 70 False True True 9/16/2020 21.3
   Bulldozer Sink 60 False True True 3/22/2020 90.2
   Syphon Creek - Myrtle's Fissure 95 True False False 2/29/2020 2.5
 Overview Information Available for Owens Spring  Owens Spring 45 True False False 10/7/2019 25
 Overview Information Available for Treehouse Spring  Treehouse Spring 65 True False False 9/1/2019 6
 Overview Information Available for Gator Hole Spring  Gator Hole Spring 115 True False False 6/7/2019 4.2
   Gator Hole Sink 115 True False False 5/18/2019 4.3
 Overview Information Available for Suwanacoochee Cave  Suwanacoochee Cave 125 True False False 4/22/2019 47.3
 Overview Information Available for Citrus Blue  Citrus Blue 180 True False False 6/16/2018 64.2
 Overview Information Available for Allen Mill Pond  Allen Mill Pond True False False 10/11/2017 39.5
 Overview Information Available for Jesss Hole  Jess's Hole True False False 7/4/2017 3.9
 Overview Information Available for Anderson Spring  Anderson Spring 80 True False False 7/2/2017 46.1
 Overview Information Available for Mcbrides Slough  Mcbride's Slough 90 True False False 6/22/2017 97.9
 Overview Information Available for Pot Spring  Pot Spring 70 True False False 6/18/2017 54.2
 Overview Information Available for Diepolder III  Diepolder III 300 True False False 5/27/2017 91.4
 Overview Information Available for Apopka Spring  Apopka Spring 98 True False False 1/12/2017 107.1
 Overview Information Available for Lineater Spring  Lineater Spring True False False 12/8/2016 48.4
   Lafayette Blue - Trap Sink 100 True False False 11/21/2016 37.8
 Overview Information Available for Indian Springs  Indian Springs 110 True False False 10/20/2016 101.1
 Overview Information Available for Suwannee Blue Spring  Suwannee Blue Spring 40 True False False 6/28/2016 27.8
 Overview Information Available for Convict Spring  Convict Spring 30 True False False 11/23/2015 29.4
   Powerline Cave 60 True False False 9/17/2015 36.9
 Overview Information Available for Church Sink  Church Sink 67 True False False 8/17/2015 102.2
 Overview Information Available for Wilson Spring  Wilson Spring True False False 7/18/2015 5.6
 Overview Information Available for Mearson Springs  Mearson Springs True False False 6/6/2015 24.1
 Overview Information Available for Rock Bluff Spring  Rock Bluff Spring 65 True False False 5/10/2015 13.4
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Peacock II  Peacock Springs - Peacock II True False False 4/8/2015 32.6
   Little Gator Siphon 180 True False False 1/3/2015 83.3
 Overview Information Available for Cathedral Sink  Cathedral Sink 200 True False False 12/29/2014 44.3
 Overview Information Available for Ginnie Springs - Dogwood Spring  Ginnie Springs - Dogwood Spring 43 True False False 9/7/2014 0.3
 Overview Information Available for Rainbow Springs  Rainbow Springs 22 False True True 7/23/2014 53.1
 Overview Information Available for Alachua Sink  Alachua Sink 227 True False False 1/11/2014 11.7
 Overview Information Available for Falmouth Spring  Falmouth Spring 200 True False False 1/1/2014 44.6
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Waterhole III  Peacock Springs - Waterhole III 55 True False False 9/26/2013 32.7
 Overview Information Available for Twin Dees  Twin Dees 335 True False False 8/3/2013 91.7
   Isabella Spring 110 True False False 5/22/2013 99.4
 Overview Information Available for Kings Spring  King's Spring 85 False True True 9/25/2012 66.4
   Leon Sinks - Promise Sink True False False 6/15/2012 102.9
 Overview Information Available for Weeki Wachee Spring  Weeki Wachee Spring 407 True False True 4/28/2012 91.5
 Overview Information Available for Leon Sinks - Upper River Sink  Leon Sinks - Upper River Sink True False False 2/9/2012 102.9
   Forty Fathom Grotto 240 True True True 1/15/2012 44.5
 Overview Information Available for Cassidy Spring  Cassidy Spring True False False 9/11/2011 84.3
 Overview Information Available for Morgan Spring  Morgan Spring 208 True False False 9/4/2011 50.4
 Overview Information Available for Rose Creek - Sink  Rose Creek - Sink 165 True True False 7/4/2011 16.1
 Overview Information Available for Ginnie Springs - Little Devils  Ginnie Springs - Little Devil's True False False 7/1/2011 0.2
   Syphon Creek - Resurgence True False False 6/23/2011 2.4
 Overview Information Available for Fanning Springs  Fanning Springs False False True 6/12/2011 22.3
   Leon Sinks - Whiskey Mill Sink 220 True False False 6/11/2011 102.6
 Overview Information Available for Rose Creek - Swallet  Rose Creek - Swallet 40 True False False 2/5/2011 16.2
 Overview Information Available for Bathtub Spring  Bathtub Spring 20 True False False 2/5/2011 29.7
 Overview Information Available for Crazy Horse Sink  Crazy Horse Sink 60 True False False 1/30/2011 36.9
 Overview Information Available for Rock Springs  Rock Springs 25 True False False 1/28/2011 103.8
   Leon Sinks - Go Between Sink True False False 1/19/2011 103
 Overview Information Available for Otter Springs  Otter Springs 55 True False False 1/17/2011 19.7
 Overview Information Available for Diepolder II  Diepolder II 360 True False False 12/23/2010 91.7
   Vampire Sink True False False 11/21/2010 5.9
   Little Blue Spring True False False 8/21/2010 84.3
 Overview Information Available for Peacock Springs - Baptizing Spring  Peacock Springs - Baptizing Spring True False False 8/15/2010 33.3
 Overview Information Available for Adams Spring  Adams Spring True False False 8/4/2010 50.8
   Hatchet Sink True True False 4/9/2010 100.8
   Whippoorwill Sink False False False 1/31/2010 7.3
   Leon Sinks - Big Dismal Sink 250 True False False 1/18/2010 104.1
   Leon Sinks - Little Dismal 250 True False False 1/18/2010 103.9
   Leon Sinks - Gopher Hole True False False 1/18/2010 103.8
 Overview Information Available for Branford Spring  Branford Spring 101 True False False 1/16/2010 16
   Gator Spring 192 True False False 12/6/2009 88.4
   Leon Sinks - Innisfree Sink True False False 12/5/2009 102.5
 Overview Information Available for Blind Spring  Blind Spring 180 True True False 11/29/2009 81.5
 Overview Information Available for Sun Springs  Sun Springs True False False 11/14/2009 16.7
   Free Ride Cave 120 True False False 10/10/2009 98.9
 Overview Information Available for Bonnet Spring  Bonnet Spring 48 True False False 8/15/2009 32.9
 Overview Information Available for Darby Spring  Darby Spring True False False 4/7/2009 5.8
 Overview Information Available for Rose Creek - Mccormick Sink  Rose Creek - Mccormick Sink 150 True True False 3/1/2009 15.4
   Double Keyhole 230 True False False 1/11/2009 98.2
 Overview Information Available for Horseshoe Spring  Horseshoe Spring True True False 1/10/2009 99.6
   Mystery Sink 380 True False False 11/23/2008 116.5
 Overview Information Available for Little Salt Spring  Little Salt Spring 240 True False False 9/23/2008 89.3
   Devil's Hole 80 False True True 8/25/2008 47.1
 Overview Information Available for Bobhill Springs  Bobhill Springs False False False 12/29/2007 96.9
 Overview Information Available for Turtle Spring  Turtle Spring True False False 12/26/2007 11.4
   Old Bellamy - Sweetwater Lake 150 True True False 9/15/2007 8
 Overview Information Available for Jewfish Sink  Jewfish Sink 200 True False False 9/2/2007 97.2
   The Jewel 315 True True False 6/2/2006 98.7
 Overview Information Available for Hidden Spring  Hidden Spring True False False 6/1/2006 30.9
 Overview Information Available for Mud Spring  Mud Spring 210 True True False 11/20/2005 89.2
   Big Bamboo Sink 148 True False False 46.6
   Snake Eyes False False False 88.5
   Old Bellamy - Pfc 150 True False False 10.8
   Old Bellamy - Pfv 150 True False False 10.7
   Matthew's Sink True False False 28.5
   Bent Spring True False False 98.1
   Dobes Hole True False False 102
   Aquarius Sink 128 True False False 44.5
   Willow Sink True False False 93.7
   Meeting House Sink True False False 101.4
 Overview Information Available for Coffee Pot Sink  Coffee Pot Sink 65 True False False 61.2
 Overview Information Available for Gunpower Sink  Gunpower Sink 120 False True False 31
 Overview Information Available for Glory Hole  Glory Hole 200 True False False 108.2
 Overview Information Available for Sawdust Spring  Sawdust Spring True False False 0.3
   Leon Sinks - Cheryl Sink 110 True True False 103.8
 Overview Information Available for Bugg Spring  Bugg Spring 175 False True True 89
 Overview Information Available for Hornsby Spring  Hornsby Spring 190 True True False 6.5
   Firecracker Cave 120 True False False 57
   Jade Hole 162 True False False 45.9
 Overview Information Available for Hospital Spring  Hospital Spring 40 False True False 90.3
   Wolf Sink False False False 92.9
 Overview Information Available for Little Otter Springs  Little Otter Springs True False False 20.8
   Syphon Creek - Swallow Hole 188 True False False 2
   Leon Sinks - Turner Sink True False False 102.5
 Overview Information Available for Joes Sink  Joe's Sink 60 True False True 90.6
 Overview Information Available for Mammoth Spring  Mammoth Spring 77 True True False 57.9
 Overview Information Available for Tanner Spring  Tanner Spring 130 True False False 53.3
 Overview Information Available for Holton Creek Rise  Holton Creek Rise True False False 46.7
   Thomas Spring True False False 38.3
 Overview Information Available for Chips Hole  Chip's Hole 120 True False False 104
 Overview Information Available for Owls Eye Spring  Owl's Eye Spring 40 True False False 50.6
 Overview Information Available for Lime Spring  Lime Spring True False False 47.5
   Old Bellamy - Big Blue Sink 160 True False False 8.8
   Old Bellamy - Bee Tree Sink 160 True False False 8.8
   Old Bellamy - Mae Callie Pond 160 True False False 8.9
 Overview Information Available for Homosassa Springs  Homosassa Springs 67 False False True 72
   Garden World Sink 250 True False False 98.8
 Overview Information Available for Alapaha River Rise  Alapaha River Rise True False False 47.7
   Ames Sink True False False 101.2
   Coffee Sink False False False 100.2
 Overview Information Available for Coffee Springs  Coffee Springs 65 True False False 61.2
   Old Bellamy - Alligator Sink 160 True False False 8.5
   Cypress Sink 145 True False False 69.1
   Charcoal Sink True False False 100.7
 Overview Information Available for Sanlando Spring  Sanlando Spring 45 True True False 111.7
   Old Bellamy - Two Hole Sink 160 True False False 8.6
 Overview Information Available for Sante Fe River Rise  Sante Fe River Rise 150 True True False 7
 Overview Information Available for Ryles Spring  Ryles Spring False False False 79.6
   Nursery Sink 214 True False False 91.1
 Overview Information Available for Sally Ward Spring  Sally Ward Spring 350 True False False 100.3
 Overview Information Available for Silver Glen Spring  Silver Glen Spring 160 True False False 75.5
   Leon Sinks - Sullivan Sink 225 True False False 104.4
 Overview Information Available for Rossetter Spring  Rossetter Spring True False False 58.9
   Peanut Cave True False False 37.6
   Double Sink True False False 20.2
   Syphon Creek - Lil' Awesome 80 True False False 1.9
 Overview Information Available for Leon Sinks - Wakulla Springs  Leon Sinks - Wakulla Springs 320 True True False 99.8
 Overview Information Available for Shepherd Spring  Shepherd Spring 180 True False False 97
   Syphon Creek - Track One True False False 2.3
   Syphon Creek - Big Awesome 110 True False False 1.7
 Overview Information Available for Jenkins Creek  Jenkins Creek 50 True False False 90.9
 Overview Information Available for Marys Sink  Mary's Sink 58 True False True 90.6
   Star Sun Spring 120 True False False 99
   Snook Spring 120 True False False 98.9
   Leon Sinks - Split Sink 45 True False False 103.8
 Overview Information Available for Running Springs  Running Springs False False False 31
 Overview Information Available for Spring Creek  Spring Creek True False False 99
   Kelly Sink True False False 100.8
   Goul De Tannerie False False False 53.3