Silver Springs

Florida's original. She was here first.

Silver Springs is the largest artesian spring formation in the world and has been drawing crowds since the 1870s. Glass bottom boats. Wild rhesus monkeys in the trees. Film location for early Tarzan movies and multiple James Bond scenes. She's had more eras than most people have decades and she's still going.

The main spring boil pumps 550 million gallons per day — number one in Florida, no competition — with visibility so deep and clear that the glass bottom boats became famous before underwater cameras were common. Looking through the glass at 30-foot visibility into a spring teeming with fish, turtles, and manatees is one of those experiences that recalibrates what you thought Florida could be.

The monkeys are a whole conversation. In the 1930s, a tour operator released rhesus macaques on a small island thinking they couldn't swim. Turns out monkeys can swim. They've been reproducing in the Ocala National Forest ever since. You might see them. You might not. They've decided Silver Springs is their spring now.

AT A GLANCE

Location

Silver Springs, FL (Marion County)

Water Temp

72°F year-round

Best For

Glass bottom boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling, wildlife viewing

Entry Fee

$2/person (park); glass bottom boat tours extra

Hours

8am–sunset daily

Vibe Rating

9/10 OG Main Character, Living History


Vintage Florida glamour meets wild nature preserve. Silver Springs has lived through every era of Florida tourism and come out the other side as a state park with wild monkeys and a functioning glass bottom boat fleet. Respect.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Booking for the glass bottom boat tour — do it in advance

  • Binoculars for monkey and bird spotting from the kayak

  • Snorkel gear if you want to get in — swimming is available

  • Camera with zoom lens — the wildlife here is serious

BEST TIME TO VISIT

November through March for manatee season and cooler air temps that make paddling comfortable. The glass bottom boat is worth it in any season — visibility is consistent year-round.

INSIDER TIPS

  • The glass bottom boat is non-negotiable. Do not come to Silver Springs and skip the glass bottom boat.

  • Kayak the Silver River for a wildlife experience that feels nothing like Central Florida — egrets, osprey, otters, and possibly monkeys watching you from the trees.

  • The wild monkeys (rhesus macaques) are most commonly spotted along the river banks. Do not feed them. They are bold and they bite.

  • Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs are about 30 minutes apart — pair them for a full Marion County springs day.

CONSERVATION NOTE

LEAVE HER BETTER THAN YOU FOUND HER  //  Silver Springs has suffered from nutrient pollution for decades — nitrogen from surrounding agricultural runoff causes algae blooms that reduce visibility and choke native plants. The recovery is ongoing and real. Use reef-safe sunscreen, stay on designated trails, and support the state park system that's been working to restore her.


Ready to add her to the list? Download the Florida Springs Bucket List — free, no excuses.