Madison Blue Spring
Certified cave and cavern diving only: Florida State Parks diving rules [2] (No open water diving or free diving.). These categories are the named scheme's own; they describe the training a site calls for.
The headspring of Madison Blue Spring State Park; a large cave opening about 9 metres down in the pool is the main entrance to the cave system. Certified cavern and cave divers only.
The spring pool sits in a limestone basin on the Withlacoochee River, shaded by hardwoods and pines, and is one of the region's most popular swimming holes. About 30 feet (9 metres) below the surface, a large opening leads into an extensive underwater cave.
Florida State Parks allows only certified cavern and cave divers here. Divers sign in at the front of the main boardwalk to the spring, and the park reminds visitors that it can close for hours on busy weekends once it reaches capacity.
The environment
Clear first-magnitude spring water at about 22°C year-round flowing from a large cave mouth; the pool is about 25 metres wide and 7.5 metres deep before the cave entrance.
Conditions
Constant temperature of about 72°F (22°C). The park often reaches capacity and closes temporarily between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Effective 2026-10-13 the park listed itself as closed to swimming; that notice did not mention diving.
Typical ranges from published sources, not current conditions.
Facilities
Temporary restrooms but no bathhouse or changing area; picnic tables, grills and a pavilion; parking (large RVs not recommended because turnaround space is limited).
Other entrances to Madison Blue Spring cave system
For orientation, not navigation. Hollow dots are approximate.
Every fact on this page, with its source (11)
| Fact | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A large opening about 30 feet below the pool surface is the main entrance to the cave system.30 ft is about 9.1 m; approximate. | Verified | [3] |
| The park is open to certified cave and cavern diving only; no open water diving or free diving. | Verified | [2] |
| The water temperature averages a consistent 72 degrees Fahrenheit. | Verified | [2] |
| Divers must sign in, dive with at least two divers, stay within their certification, not use DPVs and finish one hour before sunset. | Verified | [2] |
| Admission is $4 to $5 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians, cyclists and extra passengers, paid by QR code.Read 2026-10-14. | Verified | [1] |
| The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year.Read 2026-10-14. | Verified | [1] |
| The park experiences frequent capacity closures between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and was listed as closed to swimming effective 2026-10-13.Swimming notice only; re-check. | Verified | [1] |
| Temporary restrooms are available but there is no bathhouse or changing area. | Verified | [2] |
| USGS lists Madison Blue Spring at latitude 30.480492. | Verified | [4] |
| USGS lists Madison Blue Spring at longitude -83.244311. | Verified | [4] |
| Park fees are paid by QR code and divers sign in on the diver sign-in form at the front edge of the main boardwalk to the spring. | Verified | [1] [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