Rainbow River, Florida
Quick Summary: A true jewel hidden within Florida, the Rainbow River has clear, turquoise waters that put on a veritable light show as the sun shines. It also gives divers subtle delights, including rich marine life. Find out what makes this river an amazing diving destination in our guide.Geography of the Rainbow River, Florida
Divers will find the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida. This natural wonder lies southwest of Marion County; it’s around 100 miles northwest of Orlando and north of Tampa Bay. It merges with another river in Dunnellon - the Withlacoochee River. The Rainbow River spans 5.7 miles (9.2 kilometers) and boasts crystal clear waters full of fish, wildlife, and plants.
Geography of the Rainbow River, Florida
This long river doesn’t have any known dive sites. But it has small caverns that you can go into and spring boils that you’ll find during your Rainbow River drift dive. There are preservation areas within the river as well. Just a heads-up: know your boundaries while you dive or snorkel in these places. Park officials have marked them with buoys - don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Marine Life
Rainbow River has an incredible variety of marine life within its 5.7-mile stretch, making it a must-see destination for divers. Here’s a closer look at some of its amazing residents:
- Bluegill - Known as one of America’s most popular sport fishes, bluegills can be 15 to 23 centimeters (six to nine inches) long. They also weigh less than 0.25 kilos (0.5 pounds). Bluegills have bluish or greenish-colored bodies; however, they can come in different colors. Besides its vibrant hues, a dark spot on the fish’s dorsal fin and a dark flap at its gill cover’s rear end make it recognizable.
- Alligator garfish - This next resident is the largest among seven gar species with its ten-foot length and 300-pound weight. Alligator gars often have olive green or yellow skin, as well as very scaly bodies. They also boast mouths full of teeth and wide snouts like alligators, which is why they’ve got “alligator” in their common name.
- Yellow-bellied sliders - Yellow-bellied sliders live exclusively in some areas within America, including the Rainbow River. Their average weight falls between 7.7 and 13.8 grams, so they’re very lightweight. These turtles also feature black and brown-colored shells with bright yellow stripes. A yellow-bellied slider’s maximum lifespan can reach up to 30 years in the wild, or over 40 years in captivity.
Other Attractions
- Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant - Love seafood? Head on over to this Dunnellon restaurant that serves oysters in winter. It also offers a fried shrimp and hush puppy combo with a Bloody Mary or Blue Moon beer. The Withlacoochee scenery completes this perfect pair.
- Rainbow Springs State Park - There’s so much to do within this Florida state park. Follow a stunning trail that’s got azaleas, oaks, and magnolias surrounding it or Zen out next to three waterfalls lying around this trail. You can also go tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and more inside the Rainbow Springs park.
- Withlacoochee State Forest - Florida’s third-largest state forest offers hiking trails that span many miles, biking, horseback riding, and more. And if you’re camping out here, it has developed and primitive campgrounds that make up a few of its campgrounds. The Withlacoochee State Forest even boasts caves where you can experience the state’s caverns and keep yourself dry at the same time.
How to Get There
By Air
Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and more major U.S. carriers offer flights to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville airports. European carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also fly to Miami and Orlando.
If you’re going to Rainbow Springs from Miami, you’ll need to catch a direct flight to Orlando Airport. This flight will take an hour and five minutes. Once you’re at the airport, you can ride a bus to the Rainbow Springs State Park. Bus rides to Rainbow River take roughly five hours.
By Sea
Florida’s major ports of call include:
Getting Around
Some diving operators offer scuba dive tours across the Rainbow River. Try booking a tour with a guide as there’s a slight chance you’ll float down the river’s center and miss its highlights. If you’ve booked a tour from Bird’s Underwater, one of their boats will meet you at the dock in KP Hole County Park. The boat will then take you upriver, and you can dive from there.
You can also choose to paddle personal or rented boats downriver to reach the Rainbow Springs park. Going beyond the area in a canoe is an excellent idea, too.
Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and more major U.S. carriers offer flights to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville airports. European carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also fly to Miami and Orlando.
If you’re going to Rainbow Springs from Miami, you’ll need to catch a direct flight to Orlando Airport. This flight will take an hour and five minutes. Once you’re at the airport, you can ride a bus to the Rainbow Springs State Park. Bus rides to Rainbow River take roughly five hours.
By Sea
Florida’s major ports of call include:
- Miami
- Orlando’s Port Canaveral
- Tampa
- Palm Beach
- Jacksonville
- Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades
- St. Petersburg
Getting Around
Some diving operators offer scuba dive tours across the Rainbow River. Try booking a tour with a guide as there’s a slight chance you’ll float down the river’s center and miss its highlights. If you’ve booked a tour from Bird’s Underwater, one of their boats will meet you at the dock in KP Hole County Park. The boat will then take you upriver, and you can dive from there.
You can also choose to paddle personal or rented boats downriver to reach the Rainbow Springs park. Going beyond the area in a canoe is an excellent idea, too.
Best Time to Visit
Rainbow River’s diving season lasts throughout the year. But it’s best to dive during winter since the river has clearer waters. Also, Rainbow River has a constant temperature of 72°F all year round and a maximum depth of about 25 feet. Diving here is only good for about one hour so get a five to seven-millimeter wetsuit to make the most out of your time.
Required Trainings & Certifications
Rivers have fast-moving currents and different riverbeds, and that’s why it’s usually dangerous to dive into these bodies of water. People would need extra training and physical strength if they want to try river diving. But Rainbow River is an exception: it gives all certified divers (and snorkelers) an enjoyable diving experience. Visitors have the chance to finish Open Water, Drift Diver, and other certifications in the area.
Miscellaneous Information
Currency
The U.S. dollar is Florida’s official currency. You can take cash, credit or debit cards, or travel money cards with you on your trip. Some areas won’t accept cards as payment so carrying some cash will do just fine. But if you’ve got a credit card, nearly all establishments in the United States (including those in Florida) will let you buy goods or withdraw cash via your card.
Language
Florida natives speak a slight variety of languages, with Spanish and English mostly comprising this range. French Creole is another major language that people speak in the state.
Time Zone
Dunnellon currently observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) with an offset of UTC/GMT -5. However, the area will observe Daylight Savings Time in March.
Driving Side
If you’re driving to Rainbow River, you’ll need to do right-side driving on the road. You should also wear your seatbelt while driving as per state law. For car rentals, you’ll only need your driver’s license, passport, and credit card to avail of the service.
Calling Code
Dunnellon uses the 352 area code for calls. If you’re making an international call to the area, dial your country’s international dialing prefix and press 1, then dial the number you’re calling.
ISO 3166 code
US-FL is Florida’s ISO 3166 code.
Internet TLD
The United States of America’s top-level Internet domain is .us.
The U.S. dollar is Florida’s official currency. You can take cash, credit or debit cards, or travel money cards with you on your trip. Some areas won’t accept cards as payment so carrying some cash will do just fine. But if you’ve got a credit card, nearly all establishments in the United States (including those in Florida) will let you buy goods or withdraw cash via your card.
Language
Florida natives speak a slight variety of languages, with Spanish and English mostly comprising this range. French Creole is another major language that people speak in the state.
Time Zone
Dunnellon currently observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) with an offset of UTC/GMT -5. However, the area will observe Daylight Savings Time in March.
Driving Side
If you’re driving to Rainbow River, you’ll need to do right-side driving on the road. You should also wear your seatbelt while driving as per state law. For car rentals, you’ll only need your driver’s license, passport, and credit card to avail of the service.
Calling Code
Dunnellon uses the 352 area code for calls. If you’re making an international call to the area, dial your country’s international dialing prefix and press 1, then dial the number you’re calling.
ISO 3166 code
US-FL is Florida’s ISO 3166 code.
Internet TLD
The United States of America’s top-level Internet domain is .us.