Salt Springs Run FL Shallow Water Snorkeling

Salt Springs Run is a 5 mile water trail from the head of Salt Springs to Lake George, part of the St. John's River. The spring is located in the Ocala National Forest where crystal cool 72 degree water flows out of it year round. Swimming and snorkeling around the springs are popular in the summer. Boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are popular year round. Fish and wildlife are abundant. I have seen alligators, otters, and manatees in Salt Springs Run. We've been down the run in a boat, on a jetski, and in a canoe. Each trip offers something new. We've even camped over night in our boat anchored at the end of the run. For those who want to camp on land, check out the Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest.

We use the Salt Springs Run Marina boat ramp. The fee is $5 a day for parking and boat ramp. They also rent boats, canoes, and kayaks.

Peterson Cay National Park in Freeport Bahamas

Okay, so this is not in Florida but it is pretty darn close. Peterson Cay off Freeport Bahamas is one of our all time favorite places to kayak and snorkel, so it deserves a spot on our water nature blog. The water is so beautiful it's hard to stay in your kayak; it makes you want to jump ship and swim with the fish all day.

Let the Florida Scalloping Begin!

Florida's scallop season on the Gulf Coast runs July 1 to September 24 this year. The most popular areas are Steinhatchee, St. Joseph Bay, St. Marks, and Crystal River. You can find the rules and regulations for Bay Scallops Open Harvest Season online at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. You can also check out the annual abundance survey on their website to see where the best luck has been reported in years past.

Going scalloping this season? Here are some items you will need for the Easter egg (errr scallop) hunt:

• current Florida saltwater fishing license (whether scalloping from boat or shore)
• boat (the best scalloping grounds are only reachable by boat)
• mask, snorkel, fins 
• divers-down flag (vessels should remain 300 feet from a divers-down flag)
• mesh bag and gallon bucket to measure your limit
• cooler of ice or a live well on your boat
• sunscreen, snacks, and drinking water
• camera to show off your successful day of scalloping

Good luck and enjoy!