Rainbow River

Located 40 minutes south of Blue Grotto, Rainbow River is not a river at all but rather one of Florida’s two longest and largest spring runs. This helps explain its unusual clarity.

The “river” originates at Rainbow River State Park and flows six miles downstream to the Withlacoochee (an actual river).

You can snorkel at the state park but you can’t dive there. What you must do instead is go to KP Hole County Park two miles downstream.

After parking and paying your admission fee to the park, you will board the independently operated Rainbow Water Taxi for a trip a mile or more upstream.

After entering the water, you will drift almost effortlessly back to your starting point.

Along the way, you will see a variety of fish and other aquatic animals. You will also see some geologic oddities, such as sand that “boils.”

Here are some things to bear in mind:

Although there are spots where the river is over 20 feet deep, it is mostly shallow — typically around six to seven feet.

There can be a lot of boat traffic. This makes towing a dive flag essential. You and your buddies must bring one with you because you can’t get into the water without it.

Once the water taxi drops you off, it heads back for another load of divers. It doesn’t stay with you. So don’t take anything that can’t go in the water with you.

Listen carefully to the captain’s briefing on how to recognize the boat ramp and docks that are your exit point. If you miss them, you will have to drift another four miles to the town of Dunnellon before you can get out.

You can’t get fills or rent equipment at the park. Bring everything with you.