Florida is famous for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and wildlife. However, did you know it also boasts incredible underground attractions? From caves and springs to sinkholes, Florida has a range of subterranean wonders waiting to be explored. Here are some of the most fascinating underground attractions in Florida that you shouldn’t miss.
Florida Caverns State Park
Florida Caverns State Park is the sole state park in Florida offering public tours of dry (air-filled) caves. The park provides a 45-minute guided tour showcasing breathtaking formations of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies. Additionally, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and camping across the park’s 1,300 acres of natural beauty.
Devil’s Den
Devil’s Den is a prehistoric underground spring popular among scuba divers and snorkelers. Located inside a karst window—a collapsed portion of a cave roof revealing water below—the spring earned its name from the steam rising on cold winter mornings, creating a spooky effect. Devil’s Den, open year-round, offers equipment rentals, lodging, and a picnic area.
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural spring renowned for its live mermaid shows. The spring features an underwater theater seating 400 people, showcasing the skills and grace of mermaid performers. In addition to the shows, the spring offers a water park, a river boat cruise, a wildlife show, and kayak and paddleboard rentals—perfect for family fun and witnessing real-life mermaids.
Blue Grotto
Blue Grotto is a vast underwater cavern ideal for diving and snorkeling. With a maximum depth of 100 feet and a constant water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the cavern also boasts an air bell at 30 feet, allowing divers to surface and communicate. Known for its clear blue water and abundant aquatic life, such as turtles, catfish, and bass, Blue Grotto is a popular destination for underwater exploration.
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park features a 120-foot-deep sinkhole resembling a giant funnel. Visitors can explore the sinkhole’s depths through a boardwalk and staircase, observing various rock layers and fossils. The sinkhole is surrounded by lush vegetation, creating a miniature rainforest with waterfalls and streams flowing into it. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a unique and captivating destination that highlights the geological history of Florida.
READ MORE
Oregon is Home to an Abandoned Town Most People Don’t Know About