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📷 Leonardo Lamas · Pexels

Eagle's Nest

3.9 — based on 22 community signals
4.3 12 species 35 contributors

Year-round freshwater diving in a pristine wildlife management area with excellent visibility and abundant marine life observations.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Chassahowitzka Wildlife Manage… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryFamily-friendlyBeginner
+1 more
Freshwater

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Eagle's Nest location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
6.3 kn
Wave
0.26 m
Water
30.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (28%)
Now: NNE (26°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.89m

Next: Low at 00:00 (-0.04m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.6 m
▼ 00:00 · -0.04m ▲ 06:00 · +0.22m ▼ 15:00 · -0.41m ▲ 23:00 · +0.03m Now -0.0m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV7.2 · high Air PM2.57 · good 07:16 19:31
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 9.9 0.38 7 0mm
09-19 14.6 0.14 7 8mm
09-20 7.2 0.08 7 0mm
09-21 6.1 0.1 8 2mm
09-22 7.1 0.1 8 5mm
09-23 6.2 0.14 7 4mm
09-24 10.8 0.1 7 5mm

About this spot

Eagle's Nest is a freshwater dive site located within the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area in the United States. The site benefits from protected status within this managed area, which helps preserve the underwater environment and the species that depend on it. Divers visiting Eagle's Nest can expect to encounter diverse marine life throughout the year, with 12 documented species observations recorded at the site. The dive site is accessible year-round, making it a reliable destination whether you're planning a winter trip or a summer adventure. The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area protections ensure that the ecosystem remains healthy and stable. The site shows no signs of coral bleaching stress, indicating good environmental conditions for underwater exploration. Community videos from the site showcase the diving experience and can help you prepare for your visit. Local divers have documented their encounters and shared footage that gives insight into what to expect below the surface. Whether you're new to diving or an experienced explorer, Eagle's Nest offers a chance to explore a protected freshwater environment with active diver interest and solid documentation of its marine biodiversity.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Shore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7044km · ~1620kg · €29

FAQ

Can I dive Eagle's Nest year-round?

Yes, Eagle's Nest is diveable year-round. The site is located within the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area and maintains consistent conditions throughout the year.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been documented at Eagle's Nest. Check recent community videos and species observation logs to see what divers are currently encountering at the site.

Is the site protected?

Yes, Eagle's Nest is located inside the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, which provides environmental protection and management for the dive site.

How can I learn more about diving conditions?

Community videos and species observations are available online. These resources show recent dives and help you understand what to expect before you visit.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

78 records · 38 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Trichechus manatus latirostris

Florida manatee
Mammalia · Trichechidae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Dec 2019
×4records

Lepidochitona liozonis

Polyplacophora · Tonicellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Anadara transversa

Bivalvia · Arcidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Botryllus

Ascidiacea · Styelidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Dictyoceratida

Demospongiae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
8 m

Jorunna spazzola

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Agathistoma fasciatum

Gastropoda · Tegulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Aplysina

Demospongiae · Aplysinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records
Depth:
11 m

Callistochiton shuttleworthianus

Polyplacophora · Callistoplacidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Holothuria (Cystipus) cubana

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2018
×1records

Trichechus manatus latirostris

Florida manatee
Mammalia · Trichechidae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Mar 2018
×3records

Tursiops truncatus

Common bottlenose dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Feb 2018
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Most DANGEROUS Dive Site In Florida

Scary Interesting
💬 3 top comments
  • As a father, it makes me viscerally angry that dad took his uncertified son into a cave known for killing people.

    @Radxcor83 · 👍 2100
  • Taking your son, who is not PADI certifited, cave diving with a depth of 70m for his first dive is wild af .

    @NightSufer17099 · 👍 3800
  • There's something unsettling about the idea of a random, circular, small pond that looks calm hiding a much deeper, open cave section that's as big as an aircraft hanger.

    @ClippyMcGemmy · 👍 2300

Eagle's Nest Cave Mapping, Florida, 1990, Deep Breathing Systems

Christopher Brown
💬 3 top comments
  • This is youtube gold. And very few have yet to find it!

    @nedmodelo1988 · 👍 44
  • just imagine diving on that cave with old school gears

    @keyboardwarrior204 · 👍 11
  • Mr. Ballen had a story on Eagles Nest. But this video is way more educating than what i had heard.

    @LockheedMonster · 👍 46

Accident at Eagle's Nest cave – one of the most dangerous underwater cave systems in the US

Mr Piu
💬 3 top comments
  • Finally I found good channel

    @The_Navigator_8 · 👍 0
  • Keep the videos coming

    @stevedemoe1359 · 👍 0
  • Am a Diver brother - https://youtu.be/BTxcppAlit8?si=JHHhtUQhjbhZoykL

    @Ocean-beasts · 👍 0

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