Island Dive Center - Florida Springs
The team at Island Dive Center really understand what makes diving the Florida Springs special. They’re PADI 5-Star, which you’d expect, but it’s their local knowledge and laid-back approach that we love. Our favourite trips with them involve heading out early to beat the crowds at popular spots like Ginnie Springs, or exploring lesser-known caverns where you can practically have the place to yourself. We’d suggest Island Dive Center if you’re keen on exploring the unique cavern and cave systems around here. They’re brilliant at helping newer divers get comfortable in overhead environments, making sure you understand the nuances of buoyancy control in tight spaces. You can feel the cool, constant temperature of the spring water on your skin as you glide past ancient fossils embedded in the limestone walls. It’s a completely different sensation to ocean diving, and they excel at guiding you through it safely and enjoyably. Even for air fills or a quick gear check, their shop is a friendly, reliable stop.
- Location
- Florida Springs, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 31.150000, -81.370000
- Phone
- +1 912-638-6590
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.islanddivecenter.com
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI 5 Star Dive Center [padi:749]
- Address
- Golden Isles Marina, 101 Marina Drive, St Simons Island, Georgia 31522, United States
Diving Capabilities - Island Dive Center
- Snorkelling
Dive Sites Near Island Dive Center
Island Dive Center provides access to 15 dive sites in Florida Springs.
- Artificial Reef CCA - Deck Barge 2 (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - 175 Ship YO-224 (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - 430 Liberty Ship (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - Bridge 1 (reef)
- Cape Romain Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Capers Reef (reef)
- Capers Reef - Caisson (reef)
- Capers Reef - Coast Guard Buoy R8 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Concrete Reef Balls 1 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Landing Craft 1 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Tug Boat (reef)
- Capers Reef - Unknown Barge - 10-20m (reef)
- Charleston Nearshore Reef (reef)
- Charleston Sixty Reef - 240 Barge (reef)
- Charleston Sixty Reef - Army APCs 1 (reef)
Other Dive Centres in Florida Springs
- Atlantic Pro Divers - ["PADI"]
- Blue Grotto Dive Resort
- Carolina Dive Locker
- First Coast Divers - ["PADI"]
- Scooba Shack - SSI
- Scuba Station - ["PADI"]
- Sea Daddys Adventures and Dive Center - NAUI
Best Time to Dive in Florida Springs
The warmest water temperatures in Florida Springs occur in August, averaging 31.3°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 15.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 15.9°C
- February: 16.7°C
- March: 20.4°C
- April: 23.4°C
- May: 26.8°C
- June: 29.5°C
- July: 30.9°C
- August: 31.3°C
- September: 29.4°C
- October: 25.6°C (air: 22.4°C)
- November: 21.3°C (air: 18.1°C)
- December: 17.6°C (air: 14.8°C)
Marine Life in Florida Springs
Home to 145 recorded species including 122 reef fish, 8 other, 4 sharks & rays, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea urchins.
Notable Marine Life
- Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) - Reef Fish
- Prodigal Son (Rachycentron canadum) - Reef Fish
- Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) - Reef Fish
- Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) - Reef Fish
- Rainwater Killifish (Lucania parva) - Reef Fish
- Freshwater Flounder (Trinectes maculatus) - Reef Fish
- American Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) - Reef Fish
- Bream (Lagodon rhomboides) - Reef Fish
- Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) - Reef Fish
- Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Florida Springs
Based on average water temperature of 24.1°C, currents 1 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 24°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