Guided Dives
We offer guided scuba diving tours of the most beautiful sites of Orlando for visiting and resident divers. We have several experienced Dive Guides who know our local dives sites intimately and can take you for a great tour. We can usually arrange a tour for any day of the week, either weekend or weekday, on your schedule.
Guided dive experiences start at $199.00 for a half or one day excursion, which includes 2 dives at your chosen dive site, all the gear you need and photos of your adventure. Fun and safety are always paramount to our dive guided dive adventures. We look forward to meeting you and taking you diving!
Frequently asked questions:
http://www.dayo.com/faq-home.htm
* Do I have to be scuba certified to participate?
Yes, you must be at least Open Water certified to join in our scuba adventures. We run classes very regularly, in as little as three full days, contact us for details.
* Do you do dive trips?
Yes, we offer annual trips to exotic and tropical destinations. Please see our Dive Travel page for the latest destinations. We also offer local guided tours at the freshwater springs with our divemasters.
* Do you have a dive boat?
We don't have our own dive boat, but recommend several operators. See our boat diving page for operator information!
* What is the water temperature at the local dive sites?
Our freshwater springs are 72 degrees Fahrenheit/22 degrees Celsius year round, with no thermoclines!
* What's the best time of year to dive?
Year round! As our springs do not change temperature with season, and the constant flow offers great visibility, they offer perfect year round diving. The dive sites tend to be busier in summertime and on weekends, so if you would like to avoid the crowds, plan on weekday visits!
* What can I see?
Florida's freshwater springs offer many unique sights. There is a vast array of freshwater turtles and fish including sunfish, bass, catfish and spring crayfish to name a few. Topside, there are lots of water birds like herons, cormorants and anhingas and sometimes otters. Occasionally, depending on the site, we see manatees.
* What dive sites do you recommend for beginner/intermediate/advanced divers?
Orlando has plenty of Beginner and Intermediate dive sites. We recommend Alexander Springs, Blue Springs, Rainbow River and Devils Den to name a few. For the advanced diver, further north & west of Orlando offers great dive sites at Blue Grotto, Troy Springs and Hudson Grotto.
Alexander Springs
Google Map
Alexander Springs is a fantastic dive for every level. It is a shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 25 feet. There are many things to see here, such as sunfish, bass, freshwater turtles, catfish and needlefish. It is renowned for 50+ feet of visibility. As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, feel free to share your stories on our Facebook page.
Depth Range: 3-25 feet
Typical Visibility: 50+ feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Amazing visibility, very easy to navigate, very suitable for non-divers/swimmers/snorkelers to join in, family area.
Divers enjoying Alexander Springs
More divers
Sunfish at Alexander Springs
Bass at Alexander Springs
Blue Springs
Google Map
Blue Springs is one of our favorite dives, and the closest dive sit to our store. After a 10 minute walk (with gear!), divers can explore a vertical shaft to 60 feet consisting of limestone ledges embedded with fossils. The spring run on the way out is full of schools of mullet and gar. As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, share your stories on our Facebook page.
Depth Range: 3-60 feet
Typical Visibility: 20-30 feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Very easy to navigate, drift dive down along the river run on the way out, family area. Cavern Dive (to 120 feet) is available for those appropriately certified & gear configured.
Divers enjoying blue Springs
Catfish at Blue Springs
Tilapia at blue springs
Mullet at Blue Springs
Gar at Blue Springs
Swimming down the run at Blue Springs
Devils Den Springs
Google Map
Devil's Den is an exhilarating and fun dive for all levels. Secluded away in a prehistoric setting, divers descend down a flight of steps to a air bell of sorts. Divers can explore to a series of swim-throughs and tunnels to a depth of 45 feet. Lots of monster catfish that have made their home at Devil's Den. This site typically has 40+ feet of visibility. As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, share your stories on our Facebook page.
Depth Range: 3-45 feet
Typical Visibility: 50+ feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Amazing visibility, very easy to navigate, very suitable for non-divers/swimmers/snorkelers to join in, family area.
Rainbow River Springs
Google Map
Rainbow River is one of the only crystal clear diveable rivers in Florida, suitable for all level of divers. Divers get a boat ride upstream, against the current, and drift down back to parked vehicles. Schools of fish, including many ocean visitors are regularly spotted over the sandy flats & grassy areas as divers drift downstream,. The max depth is 25 feet. There are many things to see here, such as sunfish, bass, freshwater turtles, carp and more. It is renowned for 50+ feet of visibility. As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, share your stories on our Facebook page.
Depth Range: 3-25 feet
Typical Visibility: 60+ feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Amazing visibility, very easy to navigate, very suitable for non-divers/swimmers/snorkelers to join in, family area.
Boat on Rainbow River
Boat divers on rainbow river
Drifting down RR
Bass in RR
Blue Grotto Springs
Google Map
Blue Grotto is a sinkhole with depths reaching 90+ feet. When you enter the water, there is a series of platforms in open water, and then a very large cavern, 20 feet wide and 80 feet high. There are artificial lights at 20-30 feet to illuminate the cavern. At a depth of 30 feet, up on the roof of the cavern, there is a fresh air bell so you can take off your mask and breath some fresh air! This very cool feature accommodates up to six divers at a time, to stop for a quick chat, or just take a breather! Remember that time in the air bell, still constitutes bottom time, as you are under pressure!
Continuing down from the air bell, there is a large shaft that slopes down at a 90 degree angle. There is a thick rope that leads in a horseshoe shape through the very back of the cavern. This area is VERY silty when stirred up, a careless fin kick can reduce the visibility to zero in seconds! If divers are careful, Blue Grotto is renowned for its visibility. As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, share your stories on our Facebook page.
Due to the depth and overhead nature of this dive, it is only recommended for Advanced Divers.
Depth Range: 3-90 feet
Typical Visibility: 50+ feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Advanced Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Amazing visibility, very easy to navigate, very suitable for non-divers/swimmers/snorkelers to join in, family area.
Troy Springs
Google Map
Troy Springs is a 70 foot deep, first magnitude spring located on the Suwanee River in North Florida.
As a protected area (like other freshwater springs), it is a strict no take zone. All our guides carry cameras to take photos of you under water and the wildlife. After your dive, share your stories on our Facebook page.
Due to the depth and river water intrusion (reduced visibility) of this dive, it is only recommended for Advanced Divers.
Depth Range: 3-90 feet
Typical Visibility: 25+ feet
Water Temperature: 72 degrees F/22 degrees C year round.
Dive Level: Advanced Open Water to Instructor.
Highlights: Easy access, easy to navigate, Civil War wreck to explore in the shallow spring run!
Testimonials:
"I highly recommend this Dive shop. Once you walk in they make you feel like a member of the family. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and funny."
" Great experience for us as a family and our two divers particularly. They worked with us out-of-towners to help make the experience as easy for the non-divers in the group and FABULOUS for our divers. Thank you so very much!"