Author: Hayden Dunsel

Hayden Dunsel is a Florida-based travel writer, editor and photojournalist. Hayden's work is often featured in leading publications, including national and international news organizations.
Fern hammock springs, ocala national forest

Fern Hammock Springs

Fern Hammock Springs is a beautiful spring in Ocala National Forest, in central Florida. The spring is stunningly beautiful. The spring features unusual natural features, including exceptionally clear water and numerous sand boils. Fern Hammock Spring is a second-magnitude spring. Can you swim in Fern Hammock Springs? Sadly, visitors cannot swim in Fern Hammock Springs’…

Royal Spring, Florida

Royal Springs

Royal Springs is a popular spring and swimming hole in Suwannee County, Florida. Royal Springs is set inside a Suwannee County park on the north shores of the Suwannee River. The park covers approximately 5 acres.  The spring is a popular destination for local visitors, and visitors from around Florida. It is a very popular…

Little River Springs, Florida

Little River Springs

Little River Springs is a popular natural spring in north west Florida. It is located off of the Suwannee River in O’Brien, Florida, in an area known as “Spring Country”.  Little River Springs is a popular destination for swimming, cave diving, picnicking and more. Dangers in Little River Springs Natural bodies of water always carry…

Peacock Springs

Peacock Springs

Peacock Springs is one of the best springs in Florida, and one of top cave diving sites in the world.  Peacock Springs offers a complex cave system and some of the best, most affordable and high-quality cave diving in the world.  Unlike other state parks, Peacock Springs doesn’t attract endless crowds. It’s well off of…

Little salt springs hot spring, florida

Little Salt Springs

Little Salt Spring is an ancient spring in southwest Florida. The spring is a fascinating spring for many reasons.  Little Salt Spring is a rich archeological site which traces back to the earliest evidence of human existence.  The spring is also one of the only geothermally heated hot springs in Florida, along with nearby Warm…

Morrison Springs

Morrison Springs

Morrison springs is a beautiful park and spring in the Florida Panhandle.  Morrison Springs is a popular swimming hole for locals and is one of the most popular freshwater SCUBA diving sites in Florida. Morrison Springs is owned by the State of Florida, but is operated by Walton County.  Morrison Springs Details Cost Morrison Springs…

Salt springs, florida

Salt Springs

Salt Springs is a heavily developed spring inside Ocala National Forest. There is a shallow spring pool and a spring run. The pool has several vents and the spring water is rich with minerals.  There is an on-site campground near Salt Springs. The spring and campground are very popular and are sometimes crowded. Notice: There…

Hornsby Spring

Hornsby Spring

Hornsby Spring was once a beautiful 1st magnitude spring, and one of the best springs in Florida. Today Hornsby Spring has stopped flowing because of damage and over-pumping of the Florida Aquifer.  Hornsby spring also suffers from excessive nitrate pollution, caused by sewage, fertilizer and other contaminants. The story of Hornsby Springs was told in…

ginnie springs, florida

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is one of the most beautiful springs in Florida, but it comes with some serious downsides. Unlike many other springs in Florida, Ginnie Springs is privately owned, and allows excessive crowds and alcohol consumption. Partly due to the alcohol, Ginnie Springs has a reputation for rowdy partying and trashy crowds, especially on holiday…

eagles nest sinkhole and cave, chassahowitzka wma, florida

Eagle’s Nest Cave

Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole is an expert-level cave diving site in west central Florida. Eagles Nest is one of the most dangerous cave diving sites in the world. Numerous people have died in the cave system. Only properly properly trained professionals with first-hand knowledge of the cave system should even consider entering the Eagles Nest sinkhole…

seven sisters springs underwater caves, chassahowitzka river

Seven Sisters Spring

Seven Sisters Spring is one of the best springs in Florida, and one of the most beautiful. Seven Sisters Spring is part of the Chassahowitzka Springs Group, and is located on the Chassahowitzka River. Seven Sisters Spring is popular for many activities, including swimming, snorkeling, manatee viewing, kayaking, and canoeing. Video of Seven Sisters Spring,…

Crab Island Destin Florida

Crab Island

Crab Island is a large underwater sandbar located north of the Destin Bridge in Destin, Florida.  The sandbar is located just east of Santa Rosa Island, and at the mouth of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Crab Island is located within the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The sandbar is a beautiful spot, and is…

Woman at Passage Key, Florida

Passage Key (Anna Maria)

Passage Key is an uninhabited island at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The island is protected as a national wildlife refuge, and is closed to public access. Note: All of Passage Key closed to protect nesting wildlife. Trespassing on Passage Key is illegal. Visitors should remain well away from the beaches to avoid illegal trespassing. …

Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Islands near Clearwater, Florida

Caladesi Island State Park

Caladesi Island is a beautiful island and state park in the Gulf of Mexico. The island is known for its pristine, undeveloped beaches and nature. Caladesi Island is notable for several reasons. Caladesi Island is: Note: Caladesi Island cannot be directly accessed by car. It is accessible by a pedestrian ferry, personal boat, kayak or…

Nixon Sandbar on Key Biscayne, Florida

Nixon Sandbar

The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas.  On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon…

Mosquito Bank Key Largo Sandbar

Mosquito Bank (Key Largo)

Mosquito Bank is located in the upper Keys near Key Largo. It is just offshore of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  The Mosquito Bank covers a relatively large area, and includes several sandbars and shallow areas. One part of the Mosquito Bank has a lighted navigational beacon. Note: Please be careful not to damage…

Aerial map showing Picnic Island, Florida Keys

Picnic Island (Florida Keys)

Picnic Island is a small, undeveloped island and sandbar in the lower Florida Keys.  Location Picnic Island is located in the Newfound Harbor Channel, south of Little Torch Key and southeast of Ramrod Key. It is less than a mile northeast of the Little Palm Island Resort. Water around Picnic Island is shallow. Depths around…

Grassy Key Sandbar in Marathon, Florida Keys

Marathon Sandbar

There are several popular sandbars in Marathon.  Each sandbar is unique and has its own vibe. The “feel” of the sandbars change dramatically based on other visitors who happen to be at the sandbar.  Like all sandbars in Florida, some of the more popular sandbars around Marathon become extremely crowded on weekends. Hundreds of boats…

islamorada sandbar, florida keys

Islamorada Sandbars

The Islamorada sandbar is a shallow stretch of white sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  The Islamorada sandbar is an extremely popular place for boats to anchor and swim in the crystal clear water. Gatherings on the sandbar can be calm and relaxing, or wild parties, depending on the day and the…