Florida Dive Sites Map
2 dive sites, 12 photos
Click the map to enable scroll-wheel zoom. Switch on “Water depth shading” and click anywhere for the approximate depth, “Seafloor relief” for sonar-surveyed areas, or “Nautical marks” (zoom in) for harbours, wrecks, buoys and lights. Depth data (GEBCO grid of roughly 450 m; GMRT only where ships have surveyed) and nautical marks (OpenSeaMap) are for orientation only, not for navigation or dive planning. Pin positions mark the start of the dive (boat anchor or entry point), not the exact spot underwater. Zoom out to see dive sites of other locations: grey pins are dive sites without photos, flags are dive centers. Pale pins show an approximate position (nearby dive center or dive area).
Snorkelling with Sharks and Manatees in Florida
In 2018, I visited two very different snorkelling sites in Florida: shark snorkelling off the Atlantic coast with Florida Shark Diving, and manatee snorkelling at Crystal River on the Gulf Coast.
Florida’s Atlantic coast is one of the better places in the United States to see sharks in the wild. Depending on season, location, and conditions, several species may be encountered, including lemon sharks, bull sharks, nurse sharks, silky sharks, reef sharks, dusky sharks, and occasionally hammerheads. Many sharks follow seasonal movements along the coast, and areas with strong currents, baitfish, and deeper water close to shore can be especially active.
The shark trip was done from a boat and focused on observing sharks in open water. Encounters always depend on conditions and animal activity, so no particular species can be guaranteed. During my trip, I saw bull sharks, dusky sharks, and silky sharks. Some of these encounters are shown in the photo gallery.
Crystal River was a much calmer experience. The area is one of the best-known places in Florida to see West Indian manatees, especially in the cooler months when they gather around the warm freshwater springs. Snorkelling is strictly regulated, and passive observation is important: keep your distance, float quietly, and let the animals decide if they come closer.
Both experiences were memorable for different reasons. The shark snorkelling was about being in blue water with powerful predators nearby, while Crystal River was quiet, slow, and focused on respectful encounters with one of Florida’s most iconic marine mammals.