Down to 60

Down to 60 One minute videos to make diving easier and more fun. Made with 💙 by Sweetwater Scuba team 🤿👌🏽

05/27/2022

Manatee Springs might be one of the most weird, but charmingly unique freshwater springs out there. It’s really two dives for the price of one. We suggest diving the deeper Catfish Hotel first, with its crazy duckweed top layer.
You’ll also need some serious faith here, and probably a hood… the top is COVERED in floating duckweed!
BUT push off the stairway, drop down, and you’ll be mind blown by the clarity and viz underneath. Watch that silt, and steer clear of the cave at about 60 feet, the current ACTUALLY flows INTO it! Not usually TOO strong but definitely be aware and approach with caution.
Finally, look up for an epic view! Your bubbles will help clear the duckweed for a less-weedy exit. Walk right on over to Manatee Spring, a little shallower, ultra clear, and a great chaser dive. In the Winter, you may even see manatees!
The park is open year-round 8am to 5pm to divers, and just $6 per car to get in. Sign waivers inside the entry station with your dive buddy with proof of certification first. If going for a scuba class, sign in at the front entry with your Instructor.
For certified cave divers, there’s a great system here as well. You'll need to register at the front with proof of cave certification.
This park offers convenient parking, diver benches, pavilions, rinse stations, grills, restrooms and a short walk from the parking lot to either spring. But watch out for a very limited capacity, especially on weekends and when school is out - definitely go early and call ahead.
This park hits a daily capacity limit, regardless of who leaves after they get there, so it’s crucial you arrive at opening if diving on the weekend or during peak summer months. Call ahead!
352-493-6072

05/09/2022

Venice Beach Florida is known as the shark tooth capital of the world! Plus, its a FREE, easy beach dive any level of certified diver can do year-round.
Currents and geological formations unique to the area created this INSANE accumulation of shark teeth and fossils, and of course, the famous Megaladon teeth, which the locals call Black Gold.
Waves and currents are usually tame, so its great for shore diving.
Viz can exceed 20 feet on a good day, to nearly zero after a storm -but for this dive, thats the BEST time to go! Storms unearth fresh meg teeth on the bottom, kinda like shaking a snow globe.
Find beach access anywhere within 3 miles North or South of Sharky’s Pier.
Most people walk from their car to water already geared up, and the early bird gets the good spot.
Bring that dive flag and a mesh goodie bag, and dive anywhere from the beach to around 200ish yards offshore, or to a max depth of around 20 feet.
For this dive, you’ll be looking and feeling around on the bottom. Gloves keep you warm but make it harder to feel, so it’s your call.
In the winter, it gets “thick-wetsuit-&-hood” cold. In the summer lycra skins are more than enough, but watch that hot sand on your feets. Last thing, check red tide conditions in the warmer months before heading out on YOUR search for Black Gold.

05/08/2022

Anna Maria Island's Spanish Rocks Reef is an easy shore dive, but the viz is extremely unpredictable. Just looking at the water here can be deceiving, with its magical aquamarine glow giving the illusion of crystal clear, tropical water.
Although one of the most beautiful destinations in Florida, we only suggest it if you’re just absolutely itching for a dive. However, it is excellent for Open Water, Navigation and Rescue training.
Viz CAN reach over 20 feet sometimes, but it can just as easily be one or two feet. For best odds, avoid diving after a big storm, heavy winds, or when red tide is present. Think, "Snow Globe".
Spanish Rocks is a popular shore dive on Anna Maria island. Plus there's another easy shore dive called the “Regina Sugar Barge” is a little bit south of this site (you’ll want to drive). It is marked with a buoy, just off the beach near 7th Street.
For Spanish Rocks, walk to the beach from your car and head slightly south from the free public parking at or near 33rd street. Get there early as parking can be a challenge. Wear booties or flops to the water’s edge because the sand can scorch those feets. Also, don't forget that dive flag.
Look closely for little float balls marking the site -they can be somewhat tricky to see from the beach until you get close to the water.
Head into waist deep water where you can fin up and get ready. Although rarely any current or large waves, be aware there's a sporty swim out.
At about 20 feet max depth, you’ll find debris and rock piles with little fishies and critters, plus loads of shells, sand dollars, and busy crustaceans.
No wetsuit needed in warmer months, and a full 5-7mm at peak winter. Go on incoming or high tide for a better chance of good viz.
Anna Maria Island (AMI) is insanely gorgeous, and loaded with beachfront restaurants and tiki bars, so we still suggest a visit, diving or not.

05/05/2022

Royal Springs is a FREE county park in North Florida, open every day from 8am-5pm.
Although you'll only find port-o-potties for bathrooms, they do have really nice diver benches, picnic tables, covered pavilions, easy parking, and even a diver platform towards the bottom at about 20 feet - great for classes or kneeling on the bottom without silting it up. Other parts of the dive can get to about 50 feet deep where there is a small cavern at the bottom. There is no cave diving allowed at the bottom of the cavern, even for cave certified divers.
Royal is a beautiful blue basin that flows slowly out over a little rock river into the Suwanee River. Like all freshwater springs in Florida, it stays right around 72 Degrees Fahrenheit year round, making it a great winter dive also.
The water is crazy clear until disturbed, at which point it can silt out pretty fast, so try and enter from the river side so any silt flows out and away from the boil.
In some cases, muddy water can backflow from the river which will “brown it out”- check Troy Springs State Park website for clues; If Troy is “browned-out”, odds are that Royal is, too.
They're less than 30 minutes away from each other, have similar setups, so they also make a great pair for a day trip of diving or scuba classes.
Royal Springs is a rare, hidden gem in North Florida that’s rarely crowded and has only a short walk down to the dive.
BONUS: Make sure to save some time after your dive to show off your aerial skills if you want to try leaping from the jump platform into the water.
For those that would rather show of their grillin’ skills, Royal has you covered there, too.
Finally, there’s a boat ramp with access to the Suwanee river, which doubles as a great place to drop the dive gear off at the main diver benches.
PRO TIP: Swing around to the BOAT RAMP area to drop off your gear first, so it's close to the entry and diver benches. Then you can swing your car back over to the parking area and walk back.

05/04/2022

Troy Spring is the “Grand Canyon” of scuba diving in Florida springs. It’s a State Park in North Florida, and only around $5 per car to get in (you can even pre-pay online using the State Park Website)
Troy is open every day 8-5 and just sign in on the certified diver sheet you’ll see at the entrance. In addition to the convenient parking, diver benches, bathrooms and rinse stations, you’ll find a moderately “healthy” zig-zag walk down to the massive spring boil with a large diver platform and stairs. The platform will drop you directly at the deepest part of the spring. Just watch those fins to avoid an avalanche of silt, but otherwise it’s a very clear dive. It has a large, open feel with its giant bowl of spring basin, with max depth ranging between 60 to over 80 feet deep, depending on rainfall. In this video, they were kind enough to let us in for the video, although it was closed due to flooding (the platforms are literally underwater), however, the park staff were kind enough to allow us to film the Down to 60 shots in this video.
Troy Spring is a great spot for new divers, classes, and experienced divers wanting some real depth and plenty of room to practice and test gear. You’ll find a slight overhead cavern at the very bottom, and, with depth and clarity dependent on rainfall, a short river swim loaded with friendly critters. It leads directly into the Suwanee River, separated only with floating buoys on the surface to keep boats out.
The river run between the boil and the Suwanee is also where to look for the rib-like remnants of a wrecked civil war era steamship, the “Madison”. Although mostly covered up by growth and time, you'll notice the bumps along the bottom form a man-made pattern.
With higher rainfalls, the Suwanee can backflow into Troy Springs causing a “brown out”, meaning no diving allowed. Always check the State Park Website or call the number first - they will not permit divers if it gets too bad.
BONUS: This dive pairs nicely with Royal Springs, less than a 30 min drive away, and a similar setup. If Troy Spring is closed to diving for a “Brown out” Royal is likely flooded out as well. Be sure to watch the Down to 60 on Royal Springs as well!
Troy Springs park number: 386-935-4835

04/30/2022

Clearwater is the secret weapon for learning to dive from a boat! It’s on the Central West Coast of Florida, and is part of the greater Tampa -St. Pete coastal area.

Gulf of Mexico visibility is usually decent, but not always the blue Caribbean waters found in the Keys or Southeast Florida. (On occasion, it absolutely can be).
BUT, these emerald waters have an advantage, like usually having flatter, calmer seas and rarely any current. Most sites are pretty shallow (40’-60’ max in most cases) which is great for extended bottom time and a relaxed pace to really immerse yourself. It goes without saying, this is excellent for photographers, or practicing other skills like navigation, rescue, Tech Diving, or just spending a little extra time with some batfish. Boats can simply anchor off, and as they say “THE POOL IS OPEN!” No wetsuit needed for about half the year, and a seven mil is more than enough in winter, for even the coldest divers.

Clearwater is the perfect training ground for new scuba divers earning their boating sea legs, and a nice refuge from the much more rushed “drift diving” scene found on the East Coast.
Divers can jump in and still have plenty of time to correct little kinks like weighting, and there’s no hurry to get to the bottom for those ear issues or anything else.

With incredible wildlife and endless bait balls, there’s a sunken barges, ledge, or airplane wreck for everyone. Most are just an anchor-pull away from each other (like the Airplane Barge and Circle of Heroes!) The Circle of Heroes is a very popular spot. The entire site is a memorial honoring service members from every major war in our nation’s history.

But that’s not all - as you’ll find a fantastic host of dive charters, superior spearfishing (excellent for Hogfish), and loads of conservation initiatives in the area. Finally, the Clearwater / St. Pete Beach area has incredibly gorgeous, white-sand beaches, with plenty to do on land. The whole area has an ever-increasing number of dive sites.

04/27/2022

Vortex Springs is one big scuba diving party. It’s located in Florida’s Panhandle near FSU, and not too far from Panama City Beach.
It’s a privately owned resort, , , , and all around fun place to get wet.
It’s open year round and runs about $25 a diver, a little less for snorkelers or swimmers. Check-in at the main dive shop with proof of and a dive buddy. They have all the merch, gear rentals and air fills you’ll need. Vortex even offers training classes from first timers to cave certification. Night diving is also available upon request.
The main basin is reserved only for scuba divers. Here you’ll find ample entry stairs and docks, which allow you to enter the water however you’d like.
This is about as good as it gets for freshwater fun diving - they have everything you need to do just about any kind of activity, it’s even great for or training.
Down lines, around 60 feet of depth, plenty of room, a low-stress, fun cavern at the bottom, a shipwreck, a “talk box” full of air for telling secrets, and even a giant “Thing” with compartments, and holes -great for pe*******on training or sharpening those skills.
Easy staging for getting in and out of the water, plenty of bathrooms and rinse stations, grills, and just about anything else you’d need to have an epic trip! With loads of grills and firepits, and water doesn’t drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, this place is worth a trip even in the winter. Cabins and other activities are great for overnight group trips or classes, including , Advanced Certification and .

04/26/2022

We found out why Blue Heron Bridge is the number one shore dive in the USA. It's located just inside the Palm Beach Inlet in South Florida, so it's protected and you can simply walk right in.
Now here’s the BIG catch - you ABSOLUTELY MUST dive during slack high tide. Not low tide, medium tide, HIGH TIDE ONLY. Our recommendation is to be geared up and ready and at the water's edge between 30 to 60 min before high tide. The strength of current and severity of tide change can vary. If you’re there a little early and there’s still a pretty strong current coming from the inlet direction (in front of where you go in), just hang tight in the shallow area, get your weight check and everything ready, and start swimming as soon as you feel like the current is acceptable.
Also, don’t forget your dive flag - it’s required.

Open year-round & great for all levels of divers, this shore dive boasts a surprisingly vast array of marine life, a snorkel park, little shipwrecks, and even a series of artificial reefs loaded with little critters that range from stone structures, hammerheads, to remnants of a once great empire of shopping carts. You can find seahorses, octopus, lobster, sting rays, and sometimes a passing spotted eagle ray or manatee!

Depths get up to 20 feet, and you can dive from the beach to either side (or both), and even under the bridges. If your air consumption is good (or your tank is even bigger), you can do it all in one tank, but it’s perfectly ok to break into two dives, especially for photographers, or those simply wanting to take their time. Be sure to stay in the dive area and out of the marked channel reserved for boats (these are poles that have a red triangle on top of them) - your life literally depends on it!
Parking can seem almost impossible, so arrive crazy early, especially on weekends.
Plus, night diving is available with a free permit issued by the local dive shops.
If you take your time and look closely, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much life is packed into this very special place.

04/22/2022

A rare 60’ dive near Orlando, FL that’s open year round!
Just a heads up: Everything is strictly enforced here, they literally have armed Wildlife Enforcement Officers that actively patrol and even dive... no shenanigans;)
But follow the rules and you’ll have no issues and love this dive!
Due to wintering manatees, it closes to divers from November to around March, depending on Manatee migration. Call for exact dates as this can change with the weather.
-You’ll need to sign in up front with a physical card or printed proof BEFORE 3PM, and all divers have to be physically back and signed out by 5pm.
Also, no dive lights allowed unless you're cave certified and registered as a cave diver- they’ll literally come up to you and check!
It’s a long walk, so suit up in the closest possible parking spot to the boardwalk and wear your dive gear down. Then, follow the boardwalk (there are diver signs) all the way down to the water entrance, which is on the river closer to the boil. Get in, cool off, and carry your fins as your walk continues in knee/waist deep water, as close as you can to the edge to avoid stronger current.
Once you arrive at the boil, you can fin up, defog your mask and do one last check before heading down.
Side note, this spring is popular with freedivers, with ideal depth and structure with the extra fun challenge of avoiding logs and outcroppings.
You’ll see logs hanging over the giant “crack” at the top of the main spring entry, which goes straight down from there. There's usually a current so push your way down, using the ledges to take little breathers, clear your ears, regroup with buddies, and continue your descent. 60’ is where the light stops, and where recreational divers should stop.
So enjoy all the little crevices and more importantly, don't forget to LOOK UP, the view is incredible! On a clear and sunny day you can see straight up and still see the trees from sixty feet down. On your ascent, watch your head and use the ledges for your safety stop and a little R&R. Your dive doesn’t end there...the river run will take you back almost to the parking lot, where you can exit the swim areas, find facilities and rinse off
A word of caution: A 1-2hr line can form on weekends, especially when school is out, so get there at the opening if you don’t want to sit in your car for hours=0)

Here is Blue Spring State Park phone number: 386-775-3663

04/15/2022

Every boat is different, every Captain is different, and every dive is different.
But these things are usually pretty common for most offshore dive boats.
Boat diving can actually be really easy, an absolute adrenaline rush, yet also relaxing. Most boats will have all the equipment you need if you ask in advance. Plus they'll let you know if there's any needed equipment such as Safety Sausages, Dive Computers, etc.
When you arrive, they’ll brief you on the loading procedures.
Scuba tanks usually get lined up next to each other & secured. The boat crew will discuss where you’re sitting, and where your gear goes.
But don't worry about all this too much, they'll guide you once you’re there.
The Captain will explain things like safety, loading procedures, getting on and off, & boat etiquette. Then another briefing from the dive guide or divemaster explaining specifics of each site, minimum air, return times, or other limits. If you’re with a class, yet ANOTHER briefing from your instructor.
You’ll be well-informed in nice, chewable bites as you go, so don’t sweat it! It won't overwhelm you as long as you just follow along.
If you don’t have a buddy there’s usually no trouble finding one, but call the boat in advance.
Most boats have a dry storage area, snacks or a place to put snacks, and a water cooler or supply of water. Ask about the "head" or bathroom if unsure - worst case there's usually one at the marina, so go before you go!
All these things are usually covered in the initial dock briefing anyway.
BUT, the most common thing all the Captains we interviewed said was.... be on time or early.
Not being on time causes obvious trouble for everyone, but you'll have that "I feel like I'm forgetting something" feeling that'll linger the rest of the day.
Plan and prepare, communicate with the charter in advance, set fake times for yourself if ya have to, and you'll feel like the Captain!

04/15/2022

Lake Denton is a VERY popular dive & training site in Central Florida, about an hour South of Disney World.
Bring $15 cash or check, & any proof of scuba certification to sign in at this private camp, run by Lake Denton Management, Inc. Open 7am to 5pm year-round.
Port-a-potties, rinse showers, changing sheds, benches, and plenty of setup area make this a great spot for classes. It's especially suited for rescue and navigation due to the large areas of consistently ideal conditions.
It’s also perfect newly certified divers, testing out gear or just getting a pretty guaranteed & simple dive in to get back into the swing of things.
Temps range from bathwater warm in the summer, but down into the fifties in the dead of winter, so dress for success depending on when you go. And be prepared for some pretty intense thermoclines as the surface warms, especially the deeper you go.
Also, bring a dive flag or float to keep those pesky boats away.

The white sand beach entry is great for setting up, then it tapers out very gradually to a max depth of around 60 feet out in the middle, depending on rainfall. The lake is basically a giant, freshwater bowl.
On the bottom you’ll find numerous guided line paths, navigation courses, wooden platforms for training, sunken boats, and an ever growing number of strange artifacts. You’ll also find schools of very curious freshwater fish like bass, crappie, bluegill and others, plus some less-than-shy softshell turtles.
Visibility can range from over 30 feet to almost zero if the silt gets kicked up. It’s a silt monster’s nightmare (or dream), so get neutral, get there early, go during the week, OR just swim away from the silt until you’re clear - there’s plenty of room for everyone!

You’ll also find this place stays extremely busy on the weekends, and is a top training location for scuba courses of all levels, including freediving and mermaid practice.
Easy access, ideal depth ranges, shore dive practice, plenty of room, and an endless area to dive all year make it a local hotspot for Orlando and the surrounding areas.

SCUBA INSTRUCTORS: If you're teaching, you’ll need to bring proof of “Active Status" with your training agency, as well as liability insurance proof listing Lake Denton Management specifically on the “additionally insured”.

Special thanks to Jonny Green for the VoiceOver, Jeff Dyal for the drone shots, Katie Reich and Michael Chapman of Sea King Scuba for helping in the water.

Script and video by Kenny Dyal

Produced by Sweetwater Scuba.

04/14/2022

Disney’s Castaway Cay has stunningly magical water. It’s in the Bahamas on their private island, accessible only by a
There’s no Guest , so this will strictly be . But, it’s all pretty shallow anyway and usually crystal clear. Even in the dead of winter (like when this video was filmed) you can usually get by without a wetsuit.
Walk or take a tram from the ship’s pier down to the first you’ll find on your left.
Anyone 5 and up can either bring their own snorkel gear or rent it for $18 to $34 bucks at the shacks by the water. The mandatory snorkel vests are free to use. So sport your bright yellow snorkel vest with a smile and walk on in.
Swim out to the orange and white float balls, which mark some star-studded attractions (and former attractions).
The snorkel area is marked with floating rope barriers and life guards, and gets up to 12 feet deep. Look out for and other fish, and keep your eyes peeled for sunken treasure.
One last thing, we recommend taking the trip down the old runway to Serenity Bay (reserved for adults only) to just relax and enjoy those famous bahama mamas.

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Palm Coast, FL

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