Devil's Den - Florida Keys

Devil's Den is an inland spring cave, a unique experience for divers in Florida. You descend into a large cavern with an opening to the sky, creating interesting light shafts on sunny days. Below the surface, it’s mostly limestone formations, with a few small fish like eastern mosquitofish around the edges. It’s a good spot for buoyancy practice or a relaxed dive when ocean conditions are rough.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
29.407017, -82.475920
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Waccasassa Bay State Preserve

Best Time to Dive in Florida Keys

The warmest water temperatures in Florida Keys occur in July, averaging 31.5°C (up to 34.8°C). The coolest conditions are in January at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 19.3°C (air: 18.5°C)
  • February: 20.5°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • March: 23.1°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • April: 25.5°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • May: 27.8°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • June: 30.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • July: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • August: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 30.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • October: 27.3°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • November: 24.1°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • December: 20.9°C (air: 19.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Florida Keys

Nearest Dive Centres to Devil's Den

Marine Life in Florida Keys

Home to 91 recorded species including 69 reef fish, 6 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Devil's Den

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 1 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep is Devil's Den for scuba diving?
The specific maximum depth for scuba diving at Devil's Den is listed as "Unknown" in our current data. However, it is described as a solution sinkhole with a large cavern, partially filled with water, offering a unique underwater experience.
What kind of marine life and geological formations can divers expect to see at Devil's Den?
Divers at Devil's Den can explore a fascinating geological formation, specifically a solution sinkhole leading to a large cavern. Historically, this site is notable for the discovery of fossils from extinct Pleistocene animals, human remains, and artifacts within its underwater passages. While the data doesn't detail current marine life, the unique geological structure and historical significance make it a captivating dive.
How challenging is diving at Devil's Den, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Diving at Devil's Den is rated as an intermediate difficulty. While it operates as a SCUBA diving training and recreational facility, its classification as a cave dive suggests that it may be more challenging than open water sites and might require specific training or experience beyond basic certification for comfortable exploration.
What is the best time of year or day to dive at Devil's Den for optimal conditions and fewer crowds?
Our current data for Devil's Den does not specify the best time of year or day for optimal conditions or to avoid crowds. For general advice on planning your dives, you might find helpful information on our When to Dive page.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Devil's Den?
While Devil's Den is described as a SCUBA diving training and recreational facility, and its dive type is a cave, the specific certification requirements are not detailed in our current data. Typically, cave diving requires specialized training beyond entry-level certifications due to the unique environment. We recommend contacting the facility directly for their specific certification requirements.
What are the typical water conditions, such as temperature, visibility, and currents, at Devil's Den?
Our current data for Devil's Den does not provide specific details on typical water conditions such as temperature, visibility, or currents. As a solution sinkhole, conditions can vary, so it's always best to check with the local operators for the most up-to-date information before your dive.