Carlos T.
Yelp
On January 24th, on a glamping Trip with friends, it was first planned to visit Devils Den to snorkel in the crystal clear waters inside a cavern below. In the middle of rural Florida aka nowhere ;) going off the main road into the entrance, the land space seemingly no frills, and empty (maybe because was a Friday afternoon?). With just one main attraction currently open, the snorkeling and certified scuba diving cave experience, everything else is just a hang out spot above with various picnic tables and covered gathering areas. Yes there is another attraction called Ray's Fish Pond just a few short steps away primarily for scuba divers with sheer drop offs etc but there are two wooden signs that say CLOSED. Plus the water is greenish, idk if I would go in that.
Onto the experience! From the parking area, you see the main wooden signed entrance and walkway that briefly pass through a woodsy area to reveal the overall attraction site. After passing by a covered area and proceeding onward walking down into the main center area you have picnic tables for placing your main gear, bathrooms, and the main office after that. Upon walking into the main office, you stand in a short line to fill out the waivers and pay the fees needed for scuba or snorkeling. I might add was surprised when they said that those who don't go into the waters, still have to pay $5 and wear a wristband (of course still having to fill out the waiver). Since my ankle is still healing, I opted just to stay above ground so paid the $5 and John Hancock'd the waiver.
Of the various staff there, the younger generation folks were pleasant.
While watching everyone else choose their gear, I noticed a security monitor in the corner displaying video feed from 4 cameras, one of which was the caverns crystal water down below. Very cool.
Afterward, everyone proceeds back outside in the open area to drop off any needed gear on the tables and head into the bathrooms to change.
This gave me a chance to roam to an observation platform behind the Devils Den stairwell entrance. It was a humbling vista looking at the land and stare straight down into a big round hole in the earth seeing the shimmering crystal blue water with people snorkling about. Very cool, and wierd all at the same time!
Walking back to where my friends dropped off their gear, they soon emerged in their wet suits and gear and snapped a group shot. Then with my hiking boots on, I was allowed to follow them down the entrance stairwell made out of stone. A thanks to the staff!!
With a tight steep stepping down with much care, one descends into the earth in a closterphobic fashion which eventually opens up into a beautiful cavern of luminous blue waters, yellow red illuminated lights shining on the rocks and that round gaping green whole in the earth up top. Very cinematic!
It was definitely cooler down here, and the water temps my friends said were about 68 degrees, cccccold! They did so by descending down the ladder two persons at a time for safety reasons to get onto the submerged platform in the water, and then the next two climb down. Obviously I did not go down the ladder but did take a gorgeous group shot and panorama! I observed for a short while marveling at all this.
Then headed back up the steps that reminded me of a lord of the rings kind of way back to the outside world. LOL.! Once outside I again went back to the observation desk to holler and gather my friends down below to take even more cool photos, videos and panorama.
Would I come back? You betcha! Not just for snorkeling, but for the scuba experience one day! Alas maximum feet is 100 feet and I believe a Padi certification is 60? I would have to look into it more. An interesting experience this place is, almost therapudic as my friends attest their akin feels smoother after being in the water! Shout out to Gato and others organizing this experience!