It was my 29th birthday this week, and I had many adventures planned! We’re water people, so checking off Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest from the ole’ bucket list was a no-brainer. And just so you don’t have to do any digging – this is, by far, the best inland, freshwater snorkeling we have yet to experience. The park, in itself, is also a top-rank favorite – you’ll understand why.
We recently purchased a new boat (after having sold our Key West nearly 2 years ago – we didn’t last very long without one), and I also got a new GoPro. So the hubs and I jetted over to Silver Glen Springs, located near the Ocala National Forest. We put in a little ways down the St. John’s River and crossed over Lake George to get into the springs.
Basically, you can get there either by boat or through the park access, which is so cool.
It’s a little over an hour drive from the heart of Orlando, but a trip worth taking in my book. Other than a day at the beach, this is the perfect way to spend a hot day here in Florida – wading, relaxing and snorkeling the crystal, blue waters surrounding the boil. You’re not going to want to miss the video highlights from this day trip to Silver Glen Springs – watch it at the end of this post!
A Day Trip Snorkeling Silver Glen Springs, Florida
In comparison to other springs we have been to, *IMO* Silver Glen is the most “pristine” (underrated) and primitive-looking. It’s just not one that’s bragged about, unlike the others much closer to greater Orlando (they’re popular with tourists for a reason). And if you’re a boater, this Spring is an inland, sandbar-style paradise. But fair warning, this park can and does get crowded on weekends.
Granted, this day was early morning on a weekday when we went, so the water stayed consistently clear and less churned by sand. Boats are able to drive up and park along the outskirts of the boil itself, and there is so much room to snorkel and explore in this lagoon and it’s outskirts.
The awesome part about taking our boat was being able to see the transition from the dirty brown St. Johns River water to crystal clear blue water of the springs upriver. You can catch a glimpse of that in the video highlights – watch til the end!
The water around the boil itself is the bluest hue I have ever seen! So when you notice in the pictures from underwater – no, I did NOT edit those. They really are that naturally blue.
Naturally, there are many species of fish (in huge schools, might I add) to see around the boil and the surrounding area. The fish are not skittish at all or phased by your presence, which makes for great video and pictures – obviously.
The video highlights below will show you more of that.
We also saw a stingray that had made its way too far along the St. John’s and into the spring, as well as Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass (captured in the pictures), turtles and other varieties of fish. So whether you are staying at a campsite along the St. John’s River, or come for the day (for the out-of-towners and Disney travelers) – it’s definitely a spring to check off the list.
The park offers on-site parking, facilities, picnic areas and canoe rentals. All you need to bring is a swimsuit, snorkel gear and sunscreen!
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