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Rainbow River Florida: Unforgettable Snorkeling and Diving Experience
4.7
92 Ratings
Crystal River
Experience the unforgettable snorkeling and diving adventure at Rainbow River in Florida. Explore crystal clear waters, encounter diverse marine life, and discover hidden fossils. Perfect for the whole family!
Experience the unforgettable snorkeling and diving adventure at Rainbow River in Florida. Explore crystal clear waters, encounter diverse marine life, and discover hidden fossils. Perfect for the whole family!
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- 821 SE US Hwy 19 - Starting at American Pro Diving Center in Crystal River, snorkelers and divers check-in and try on gear. After a brief orientation, follow the guide through a neighboring small town to a beautiful wooded river just north of the shop. Loading the gear at the docks is made easy and the boat ride view is unbelievable. Traveling up…
- 821 SE US Hwy 19 - Starting at American Pro Diving Center in Crystal River, snorkelers and divers check-in and try on gear. After a brief orientation, follow the guide through a neighboring small town to a beautiful wooded river just north of the shop. Loading the gear at the docks is made easy and the boat ride view is unbelievable. Traveling up the river you may see several types of fish, turtles and even the occasional otter. Learning history about the Rainbow River from your captain adds interest to the boat ride. Once in the water the boat drifts with the group so boat riders can also observe all that Rainbow River has to offer. Back on board the boat there is a short cruise back to the docks to unload the gear and swap dive stories.
What's Included
- Snorkeling, diving, and riding activities available.
- Rental equipment on site.
- Voyage led by US Coast Guard certified captain.
- Snorkeling, diving, and riding activities available.
- Rental equipment on site.
- Voyage led by US Coast Guard certified captain.
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- County charges fifteen dollars per person for parking and use of facilities.
- Towel and swimsuit.
- Equipment available for rent.
- Vehicle transportation.
- Gratuities
- County charges fifteen dollars per person for parking and use of facilities.
- Towel and swimsuit.
- Equipment available for rent.
- Vehicle transportation.
Additional Information
After your morning encounter with manatees, unwind with an afternoon drift on Rainbow River, a place perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. With its crystal clear springs and over 200 feet of visibility, there’s no other place in Florida quite like Rainbow River. Witness a variety of fish, turtles and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Unearth…
After your morning encounter with manatees, unwind with an afternoon drift on Rainbow River, a place perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. With its crystal clear springs and over 200 feet of visibility, there’s no other place in Florida quite like Rainbow River. Witness a variety of fish, turtles and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Unearth fossils emerging from the numerous springs scattered along the riverbed. At the drift’s conclusion, you’ll discover a quaint cavern, teeming with Sun fish. This snorkeling or diving experience is something the whole family can enjoy.
- Scuba Divers must present open water certification or higher
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Equipment available for rent at time of check-in.
- Please arrive at our center 30 minutes before your reserved tour time
- Please have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
- Don’t forget your towel and a smile
Location
821 SE US Hwy 19
Southeast US Highway 19
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(92 Ratings)
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Roachmotel3
Apr 20, 2025
Awesome trip and certification - Rod did an amazing job with my daughter and I at both Blue Grotto and on the Rainbow River. He finished up her certification dives and we had a great time together. She was a bit nervous, but he did a great job of helping her get over her nerves and feel comfortable. A great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geraldb511
Apr 6, 2025
Outstanding dive event with Jim & Captain Austin - Captain Austin & dive master Jim were outstanding guides for our drift dive at Rainbow Springs… the boat dropped us off & picked us up at each point. No need to go swimming with full scuba gear to find the boat…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Missk-wilson
Apr 1, 2025
Wonderful trip in a beautiful setting with a great guide - This is a gorgeous dive, in an only-in-Central-Florida setting. You drift in a gentle but undeniable current as amazing Florida wildlife and vegetation watch you go by, often with little to no fear. As I was poking around the sandy bottom, watching the spring water burble up through the sand, I was surrounded by bream (I think?), often just inches from my mask and eyeing me curiously. Not to mention the scores of gar that followed us through one section. Plus turtles, and bass, and several more critters I can't identify...
...but our awesome guide Rodney certainly could. He was fantastic at pointing out all the best sights, and I felt like my young nephew — out for his first post-cert dive — was in great, capable hands.
This was probably my 7th or 8th excursion with APD, and they NEVER disappoint ❤️.
NOTE: The new owners now supply 5mm wetsuits to rent, which is a MAJOR upgrade. 3mm suits, previously their only offered rental option, just don't cut it in the constant 72-degree springs, but 5mm is plenty. Thanks for that upgrade, new owners!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Perryk874
Apr 1, 2025
Best diving operation in Crystal River - The staff at the shop were incredibly friendly and helpful, fitting of the rented gear was made a lot easier by the dive guide and the actual dive was gorgeous. You gave us heads up about cool things to look out for, went at an easy pace, and Our group felt safe the entire time. 10 / 10 recommend these folks for anyone looking to snorkel or scuba diving in the crystal river!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Devin
Mar 25, 2025
Dive - Absolutely Amazing! Rodney did fantastic and we loved every bit!! COME TO THIS PLACE. IT WAS TRULY AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stanton
Mar 24, 2025
Awesome rainbow river experience with Rodney. - Rodney was fantastic. Couldn’t ask for a better guide. He was safe and careful which was important to us. My daughter is blind and he took excellent care of her while we were having our diving experience would definitely recommend it and do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S2641ejkimh
Mar 20, 2025
Pro Diving Centers master divers are just that! Professional and safe!! - Rainbow River scuba Dive
Our dive master took the time to explain the river and made sure we were all ready to go before heading out. He pointed out the springs in the river, and all the cool areas to see. Water was clear and beautiful! It was fun seeing the kayaks above you enjoying the day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P8762grsusanm
Feb 25, 2025
Rainbow River Dive - The entire staff was really friendly and made the dive fun. We had to make a last minute change to our dive trip date and they were very accommodating. Our captain, Aiden, and dive guide, Austin, were friendly and knowledgeable about the River (which is actually a spring). We saw a lot of marine life and thought the boiling sand was cool. Visibility was awesome. It is a very shallow dive between 20ft and the surface.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kurt202
Feb 23, 2025
Recommend to a Friend - My partner and I did the PADI open water course here at American Pro Dive. Our instructor Eric was great! He was knowledgeable and patient, everything an instructor should be. He encouraged us to do a dive after being certified, so we took the advice and did the rainbow river tour. It was a great first dive out of the class!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet_m
Feb 19, 2025
You will love it! - What a great experience! Loved getting to snorkel the river. Tour guides were awesome. Would do the whole thing again in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Viator
