| Site Info | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cave |
| Coordinates | 30.1230879, -83.1330770 |
| Region | US Southeast |
| Access via | Shore |
| Depth range | 20-175 ft |
Peacock Springs/Orange Grove is a submerged freshwater cave system connecting a collection of karst features (sinkholes and springs). It is located within Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park in north central Florida in the United States. The closest city is Live Oak, FL.
Details
Location
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park is located a few miles east of Luraville, on 180th Street.[1]
Topography
Peacock Springs is a large interconnected underwater cave system with 9 known access points, some of which are suitable for open water and cavern diving.
Conditions
Conditions in the sinks and springs are variable. Temperature remains around 72F year round. Visibility is generally quite clear in Peacock I and II. Peacock III tends to have the milkier visibility characteristic of siphons, around 20-50ft[1]. Orange Grove conditions range from unlimited visibility to just a few feet in the basin. See individual pages for details.
Facilities
Peacock I/II/III and Orange Grove parking areas have:
- Gear benches
- Picnic tables
- Changing areas
- Porta-potties
There are steps leading to the water's edge at Peacock I. Peacock II and III have no steps.
Notes
- Since Peacock is relatively shallow, it is one of the few caves in Florida where deco is usually not required[2]
Maps
Detailed maps are available for purchase from Cave Country Dive Shop and Extreme Exposure. Those two maps are reproduced in full here.
-
Map of the underwater cave system and sinks except Peacock III
-
Map of Peacock III
Access
Enter the park and pay the iron ranger. Per vehicle fees are $4. Sign in on the diver sign in sheet.
Upon entering the park you will be in the parking lot for Orange Grove. To get to Peacock 1-3, go to the rear of the lot and turn right. Follow the winding road through the woods until you arrive at the P1 parking lot.
Do
- Peacock is one of the most popular dive sites in the area. Be mindful of other divers, especially when entering the water.
See
With multiple entrances, many traverses are possible. The "Grand Traverse" goes from Orange Grove to Challenge, then Olsen, ending at Peacock I. Plenty of other shorter and simpler traverses can be conducted, such as P1 to Olsen Sink. Interconnecting tunnels also provide ample opportunity for setting up circuits.
If diving the Olsen tunnel, keep an eye out for Pothole in the ceiling. You cannot exit here but it is possible to spot light entering the system.
Life
- Cave-adapted crayfish may be found throughout the cave system
- Catfish inhabit the cavern and cave
- Alligators are known to frequent Peacock
Safety
To enter the cavern areas you must be cavern certified. To enter the cave you must be cave certified.
Hazards
- Gators are known to inhabit the entire Peacock tract
- Peacock II and III do not have steps and demand caution when entering and exiting, especially in backmount doubles
Gallery
-
View of Peacock spring basin
-
Steps leading to Peacock I
-
View of P2
Nearby
References