Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 4516h ago)
Max Depth
29.9 ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Blue Grotto
Sink Hole, underwater air bell at 30', underwater lighting system
5390 NE 180th Ave; Williston, Florida 32696; 352 528-5770; 7 days 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; $27 per day to dive
Access
shore
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(26)
Jeremy Shepard
Dec 5, 2022, 2:17 AM
scuba
Busy, multiple dive classes, they have updated their docks and getting in and out of the water is much easier now.
Harrison Peloquin
Aug 1, 2022, 9:30 PM
scuba
Anonymous
Oct 31, 2017, 12:00 AM
scuba
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Elisha
Mar 16, 2017, 12:00 AM
scuba
I can't say enough good things about the Blue Grotto. The people running the operation are kind and will go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. The facilities are fantastic and as long as you go after 3pm (once the classes wrap up), you'll have the place all to yourself. The grotto only allows snorkelers under the condition that they are accompanied by divers and that does a great job at keeping drunk college kids away (unlike Devil's Den down the road). We tent camped for 3 nights and dove during the day on our own.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Patrick
Jan 19, 2011, 12:00 AM
scuba
This is a great site. It is a good dive that I do a lot to review and try out new gear. It is about 85% cavern so not a great choice for OW divers.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Mar 8, 2010, 12:00 AM
scuba
This is an interesting site, but pales in comparison to the nearby Devil's Den. If I had to choose between the two sites for a future dive, I'd pick the Den. Blue Grotto was my first spring dive and I found the experience interesting and the surroundings somewhat surreal. Much different than the ocean diving I normally do in Jupiter, WPB and the Keys. The afternoon light cascading through the top of the roof makes for interesting photographs. The water is fairly comfortable at 71-72 degrees, but a hood or beanie for your head is a must. My buddy and I saw all that we wanted to see of the cavern on one tank: actually, after 30 minutes or so (about 50% of the tank), we were looking for things to do. I don't think I'd dive Blue Grotto again, but I am glad I tried it.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Charlie L
Feb 28, 2010, 12:00 AM
scuba
I dove Blue Grotto with a my dive buddy Eric Y. We had a good time, any time under the surface is fun. We are open water so we were able to go as far as Peace Rock. We were disappointed with all of the graffiti on the walls of the cavern. We thought that for open water divers the $40.00 entry fee was high as you can see all of the cavern with one tank.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Chris Jenkins
Nov 8, 2009, 12:00 AM
scuba
Deep water adventure Nov. 8, 2009. This was our first dive at blue grotto and must say we were very pleased with our experience. We strongly suggest a dive here. Thanks Chris and LaCresha Jenkins Chatsworth G.A.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Bobby
Aug 7, 2009, 12:00 AM
scuba
Daughter did OWD cert dives, but I did cavern work. Much better for cavern. When crowds & classes show up, the bottom gets silted up, reducing visibility significantly. However, go into the cavern & there's perfect visibility.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Eric from High Springs
Apr 16, 2009, 12:00 AM
scuba
My wife recently got certified and this was her first 'real' dive in water other than a pool. For someone learning to dive? I believe it is absolutely great. Large concrete steps with handrails allowing people to walk secure with their gear. Platforms to help instead of a new diver kicking/swimming around and stirring up the bottom. Nice wood tables and restrooms outside, not exactly the Ritz, but still, you can't expect the owners to keep the place spotless with people tracking in all the dirt. For anyone that has done more than 2 dives? Not worth it. $40 entrance fee is steep in my opinion, plus there really isn't anything to see except a hole and a wall. Again, somewhere for a newbie to learn? Perfect! Other than that, not worth it.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Jay and Tara
Nov 5, 2007, 12:00 AM
scuba
Very unimpressed for the 2nd time. $40 to dive, and tank fills are twice the norm as we saw everywhere else in the area. Facilities are small, and not the cleanest.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Dave K
Feb 2, 2007, 12:00 AM
scuba
Top notch facility, great training site, but not much to see from a recreational point of view. Very few fish or plant life. Excellent training platforms and the air bell is cool. Advanced and Deep diver will like the nearly 100 ft area, but untrained divers should avoid.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
D. Knight
Jan 29, 2007, 12:00 AM
scuba
Blue Grotto would be best for beginner divers or those doing the Devil's Loop. Nice briefing, platforms at 15 feet for classes, safety stops are nice, and the bell is a novelty. There are a fair amount of picnic tables to stage on but, for the $40 dollars to get in, it's definitely not worth a 2 hour drive. Those are the pros. For an advanced diver, however, or those who are accustomed to and expect quality facilities and superb customer service, Blue Grotto is not worth the time.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Jason NYC
Oct 1, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Joined some friends for a couple of dives in the cool (71 degrees) clear (viz 100+ ft) waters of Blue Grotto. Nice facilities with rentals. Lots of parking, picnic tables, and space to spread out even on a VERY busy Saturday at the end of the summer. The dive itself begins in a fresh water basin that opens up into a very large cavern with depths into the darkness around 100 feet. A lovely dive if the crowds and classes aren't around. Enjoy the Dive Bell located at the top of the cavern mouth at 33ft where you can take out your regulator and take off your mask to talk to your buddy. A really unique experience. I would say that this place is good for two dives and then it's time to go across the street to Devil's Den. 28 bucks to enter. Stay off the silty bottom and arrive early on weekends as the many classes will conspire to make the gin clear viz more milky. Enjoy!
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Bill
May 10, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Blue Grotto is a nice afternoon dive when there aren't any crowds. Best to go during the week when the bottom hasn't been turned up too much. Last time I was there, it was very crowded and the visibility was bad because of it. All in all though it's a good dive with great access and decent facilities.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Mar 19, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
100 feet deep and 100 feet visibility - intermediate air dome for emergencies or just testing. No crowds, clear water, no plant and minimal animal life, just a great grotto. Easy for a non-cave diver. Just a walk from the parking and shelters to the steps and the dock into the water via steps. Excellent pre-dive briefing by staff.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Jan 7, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
Nice site to test if you are up to the challenge of an overhead environment. Good visibility and temp was 69 degrees. Too expensive for what it is, however: $30/day $10 fill.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Brad Ingersoll
Oct 17, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
I did some courses at this site. It's a must do for divers looking to get to 100' vis. The air bell at 30' is cool to de-mask and talk with out having to surface. Its has lighting and is crystal clear! Well worth the money, and they have NITROX on site.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Apr 29, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
Easy to find location. Camping on site is available and is a good location for check-out dives. This dive will help someone get over the fear of darkness. There is a guide line down and around large rock formation. It's an experience, but I would only take a new diver back there. Not too much for the experienced diver.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Apr 29, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
Went to Blue Grotto as part of my open water checkout. Nice place, but can become easily over-crowded due to small size. Must put on gear near parking area and descend about 30-40 feet/50 yards down uneven stairs to entry/exit point. This isn't bad on entry, but after a dive the return trip up the stairs can be challenging.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Jan 3, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
This site would be best for Open Water divers or Cavern divers. I am a cave diver and found the site to be mildy entertaining.
Originally posted on shorediving.com