Devil’s Den in Florida: A Guide to Scuba Diving A Magical Cave

The Devil’s Den in Florida…is that a cenote?

What is the Devil’s Den?

For the longest time, I thought the only place you could scuba dive in a cenote was in Mexico. I’d become obsessed with them—the photography in cenotes was unlike anything else. Mysterious ambient lighting, silhouettes, and images that conveyed both a sense of claustrophobia, but also vast, expansive underground waterways and marine networks.

During a trip to swim with manatees in Crystal River, Florida, my friends and I discovered a dive site known as Devil’s Den. Named after the steam that sometimes rises from the cave’s “chimney”, the Devil’s Den is a cave that was formed when a karst window collapsed, exposing the underground water to the surface. It looks a lot like a small sinkhole entrance that widens out into an enormous underground cave. Though not identical to a cenote, the setting presented very similar conditions to cenote scuba diving and cenote photography. Imagine my surprise!

History of the Devil’s Den in Florida

One of the coolest aspects of the Devil’s Den is its history—there aren’t many places where you can say you’ve dived around prehistoric fossils! Animal remains, human remains, and a multitude of historic artifacts have been uncovered from inside the Devi’s Den. These were from creatures that either fell into the sinkhole and drowned, or from remains placed there as sacred offerings!

The human remains have been dated to about 7,500 BC, and the animal remains found include extinct species like mastodons, ground sloths, saber-toothed cats, and more that date back to the Pleistocene Age. Many of these artifacts are now housed on display at The University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History.

Where in Florida is Devil’s Den?

The Devil’s Den cave is located at 5390 NE 180 Ave, Williston, FL 32696.

How do you get to Devil’s Den?

Devil’s Den is about a 2-hour drive north of Tampa or south of Jacksonville. My friends and I drove from Crystal River, but regardless of which direction you’re coming from, I would recommend renting a car and doing a day trip, or even an RV and camping there! Devil’s Den provides access to private campgrounds, and it’s a great spot for a family trip.

What are the visiting hours and logistics?

Can I snorkel or scuba dive in Devil’s Den?

What is the water temperature?

Due to the relatively stable surface temperatures combined with the mild water’s temperatures, the Devil’s Den is a suitable site for swimming all year round. Expect temperatures of around 72 degrees F / 22 degrees C).

Can I camp at Devil’s Den?

Yes! Cabins, RV parks, and tent campgrounds are all available at Devil’s Den. Additionally, please note that pets/animals are not allowed (service animals are permitted).