Spring
Devil's Ear
Lights only for certified cavern or cave divers: Ginnie Springs operator rule [1] (No-lights rule for divers without cavern or cave certification at the Devil's springs.). These categories are the named scheme's own; they describe the training a site calls for.
The downstream spring of the Devil's Spring System, where the spring run meets the Santa Fe River; water rushes out of a cave opening at the bottom and tannic river water often layers over the clear spring.
Devil's Ear is a canyon-like opening at the point where the Devil Spring run joins the Santa Fe River. At the bottom, water leaves the cave with what Ginnie Springs describes as almost fire-hydrant force, so divers have to work against a strong current to enter.
The basin is usually clear but often has a thin layer of tannin-stained river water on top. DAN's Alert Diver notes that divers descend about 7.5 metres to reach the Ear, and that the shifting mix of dark river water and clear spring water is one of the site's best-known sights.
The environment
High-flow cave mouth at the river's edge; clear spring water below a layer of dark, tannic Santa Fe River water.
Conditions
Very strong outflow at the cave entrance. Tannic river water commonly sits on top of the spring water; the park does not describe how flooding or high river stages affect diving.
Typical ranges from published sources, not current conditions.
Facilities
Decks and stairs with railings at each spring; bathhouses with hot showers, dive centre with air fills and rentals at the park store.
Other entrances to Devil's Spring System (Ginnie Springs)
For orientation, not navigation. Hollow dots are approximate.
Every fact on this page, with its source (12)
| Fact | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Divers can descend 25 feet (7.6 m) into Devil's Ear.DAN Alert Diver, 2026-03-11. | Reported | [4] |
| Devil's Ear is a canyon-like opening where the Devil Spring run joins the Santa Fe River, with water exiting a cave opening at the bottom at nearly fire-hydrant force.Landowner description. | Verified | [1] |
| The basin is usually clear but often covered by a thin layer of tannin-stained river water. | Verified | [1] [4] |
| Florida spring water runs 72°F (22°C) year-round.General Florida figure. | Reported | [4] |
| Only certified cavern or cave divers may enter the water at the Devil Spring system carrying dive lights. | Verified | [1] |
| Divers must register before diving. | Verified | [2] |
| Daily scuba admission is $28 for full cave divers or equivalent and $36 for other certified divers; the annual cave dive pass is $440.Read 2026-10-14. | Verified | [3] |
| Park hours are Monday to Thursday 8AM-5PM, Friday and Saturday 8AM-7PM, and Sunday 8AM-6PM.Read 2026-10-14. | Verified | [3] |
| Each spring has sun decks and stairs with railings; the park store includes a dive centre with an air fill station and rentals; bathhouses have hot showers. | Verified | [5] |
| USGS lists Devils Ear Springs at latitude 29.8369039. | Verified | [6] |
| USGS lists Devils Ear Springs at longitude -82.6962307. | Verified | [6] |
| Ginnie Springs requires divers to register prior to diving and links a waiver for visitors to sign.Landowner rules page read 2026-10-14. | Verified | [2] |
Verified: stated by an official or primary source we opened. Reported: from a secondary source only. Sources conflict: the note gives both versions. May be out of date: the newest source we found is old.
Written in our own words from the sources above. Report a correction