Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring on the St Johns River near Orange City is Florida's largest first-magnitude spring on the Atlantic side of the state, discharging over 100 million gallons per day at a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring run is the single most important warm-water refuge for West Indian manatees on the East Coast — more than 500 individuals have been recorded using the run in a single winter day during cold snaps when the St Johns drops below 68 degrees. Diving is permitted in the spring run year-round except November through March when manatees are present, at which time the run is snorkel-only to protect the animals. The cave system beyond the boil vent is accessible to cave-certified divers through a spring-specific permit process. Visibility in the run runs 20 to 25 meters on clean days.