Orange Grove Sink At Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park: One Of Florida's Best Dives

Orange Grove Sink is a popular diving spot located in the Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, about 25 minutes south of Live Oak. The park features several cave openings, but Orange Grove Sink is the only one open to recreational divers. It is an excellent place for cavern and cave diving, open-water diving, and swimming.

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A forest of cypress trees surrounds the sinkhole and features a nearly vertical north wall that slopes slightly inward. The north edge of the sink has a fifteen-foot shear drop, with the other half of the basin gradually sloping into the woods. It is common to see a layer of green floating on the surface of Orange Grove Sink, known as duckweed, a small flowering plant that is a nutritious food source.

Dives must be conducted in designated areas only and within the limits of the diver’s certification. Entering or surfacing anywhere but Peacock Springs or Orange Grove Sink is prohibited unless necessary to ensure the safety of the divers. Visitors can also enjoy other activities such as swimming, picnicking, and exploring the park’s other cave openings.

Florida Springs Etiquette – Leave No Trace Behind

It’s everyone’s right to visit Florida Springs. However, we all have a moral duty to leave them as we found them or better for others to enjoy. Here are some simple steps to ensure that our springs are kept pristine:

Plan Ahead & Prepare: Know regulations (like springs protection zones), check the weather, and have appropriate gear.
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to trails; avoid creating new paths.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out everything (trash, food scraps, cigarette butts).
Leave What You Find: Take photos, not plants, rocks, or shells.
Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use designated rings and ensure fires are cold and out.
Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance; do not feed animals.
Be Considerate of Others: Keep noise down and remove all personal items (chairs, toys, kayaks) daily.

Specific Florida Springs Actions

In the Water: Don’t stand on vegetation or kick up silt; use mushroom anchors instead of hooks; trim boat motors in shallow areas; avoid landing boats on banks.
On Shore: Fill holes in the sand; don’t climb trees or use rope swings.
Boating: Turn off propellers when waiting for swimmers to pass to protect vegetation and wildlife.

Go The Extra Mile

Pick up any trash others left
Report any violators
Report any distressed wildlife

History of Orange Grove Sink At Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park

Orange Grove Sink is a large terminal sinkhole located in the Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, Florida. The sinkhole formed millions of years ago when the underlying rock dissolved and the roof collapsed, creating a large pit now filled with water.

The name “Orange Grove” is believed to have originated from the orange groves that once surrounded the sinkhole. The groves were destroyed by a freeze in the early 1900s, but the name has persisted.

Orange Grove Sink has a rich history of exploration and scientific study. In the early 1970s, cave divers began exploring the underwater cave system that lies beneath the sinkhole. The divers penetrated the cave system to depths of over 500 feet, making it one of the world’s deepest underwater cave systems.

Over the years, Orange Grove Sink has been the subject of numerous scientific studies on the sinkhole’s geology, hydrology, and biology, as well as its surrounding area. The sinkhole has also been the site of several important archaeological discoveries, including the remains of a prehistoric person and the bones of extinct animals.

Location of Orange Grove Sink At Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park

Orange Grove Sink is located in Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, approximately 25 minutes southeast of Live Oak.

Geological Features

Orange Grove Sink is a classic example of an offset sink, a type of geological feature in which a cave roof collapses. The sink is roughly circular, with a diameter of approximately 200 feet. The north wall of the sink is nearly vertical and slopes slightly inward, while the south wall is more gradual and slopes outward. A dense hardwood forest, including oak, hickory, and magnolia, surrounds the sink.

Orange Grove Sink is part of the Peacock Springs cave system, one of the world’s most extensive underwater cave systems. The cave system is connected to several other springs, including Peacock Springs I, II, and III, Bonnet Spring, and Catfish Hotel Sink. The water in the Peacock Springs cave system is supplied by the Floridan Aquifer, which is a vast underground reservoir that underlies Florida.

The sink’s location in Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park makes it easily accessible to divers and other visitors, and its natural beauty and geological significance make it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Scuba Diving At Orange Grove Sink

Orange Grove Sink offers a unique scuba diving experience for divers of all skill levels. Open-water divers are permitted in Orange Grove Sink only and must comply with specific rules and regulations to ensure their safety and protect the environment. Dives must be conducted only in designated areas and within the limits of their certification.

Is it not uncommon to see a green layer of duckweed floating on the surface of the Orange Grove Sink. The north wall of the sink is nearly vertical and slopes slightly inward, making it an ideal location for divers to explore.

When there is no duckweed, it’s crystal clear:

Diving Regulations At Orange Grove Sink At Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park

Diving is a serious sport that comes with real risk. If you plan to scuba dive here, you must understand all of these requirements:

Certification Requirements

Open water diving (non-overhead) is permitted only in the basin.
Cavern diving requires at least a Cavern Diver certification from a recognized agency (NSS-CDS, NACD, TDI, IANTD, etc.).
Cave diving requires a Full Cave Diver certification to enter the cave passages.
All divers must carry proof of certification and present it upon request by park staff.

Buddy System

Solo diving is prohibited.
All dives must be conducted with a dive buddy unless you have an official solo permit issued by the park (rare and only for highly experienced, properly equipped cave divers).

Equipment Rules

Cavern/Cave divers must use proper cave configuration (double tanks or sidemount, guideline reels, backup lights, etc.).
Open-water divers must remain in open water — no lights or penetration into the overhead environment.
All gear must be clean and decontaminated to prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive species.

Environmental Protection

Do not disturb the limestone, clay banks, or vegetation.
No scooters (DPVs) are allowed unless explicitly approved for research or special use.
No overnight or unattended staging or storage of tanks.

Sign-In and Fees

Divers must:

Pay the park entry fee (currently around $4).
Register on the dive log at the entrance station (name, certification level, dive plan, vehicle info).
Sign out after diving.
Dive within posted hours only — typically from 8:00 AM until sundown.

Access and Safety

The basin is used for training; visibility may vary. Use courtesy and do not silt out the basin.
No diving during thunderstorms or after heavy rains (conditions can change rapidly).
Surface marker or float required if training or surfacing outside the basin.

Open Water Divers (No Flashlight Required): Open water divers are allowed in the Orange Grove Sink basin but are not permitted to carry lights. The basin is generally clear with good visibility, allowing for a dive without artificial light.

Cavern/Cave Divers (Flashlight Required): If you are a certified cavern or cave diver exploring the underwater tunnel system, you must have lights.

Snorkeling At Orange Grove Sink

Snorkeling is another popular activity at Orange Grove Sink. The crystal-clear water allows snorkelers to see the sink’s unique underwater environment, including various types of fish, plants, and rock formations. Snorkeling is permitted only in designated areas, and visitors must follow all safety rules and regulations.

Jumping At Orange Grove Sink

This is a very popular place for jumping! Yes, it’s prohibited. Just as jumping off bridges on most bodies of water is. Regardless, people will and do jump at their own risk. It’s clearly signposted that jumping off the rocks at Orange Grove is not allowed, yet there is a well-trodden trail leading to them. Right or wrong, people jump into Orange Grove. You’ll see it for yourself if you visit.

Visitors who violate park regulations may be subject to fines or other penalties, so bear this in mind if you decide to “break” the rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the diving requirements for Orange Grove Sink?

To dive in Orange Grove Sink, visitors must be certified divers with at least an open-water certification. All divers must sign in using the diver sign-in form, and dive parties must consist of at least two divers. Solo diving is not permitted. Cavern and cave diving are available to certified dive teams in Orange Grove Sink and Peacock Springs.

Is Orange Grove Sink accessible to the public for swimming and recreational activities?

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park One Of Florida's Best State Parks (3)

Orange Grove Sink is open to the public for swimming and recreational activities. However, open-water divers are permitted to dive only in Orange Grove Sink and are not allowed to conduct cave or cavern diving.

What types of aquatic life can be observed at Orange Grove Sink?

Orange Grove Sink is home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including fish, turtles, and various species of freshwater plants. Visitors may also see an occasional alligator or river otter.

How do Orange Grove Sink and Peacock Springs connect?

Orange Grove Sink and Peacock Springs are connected through underwater passageways and tunnels. These passageways are accessible only to certified cave divers trained to navigate them safely.

What are the safety guidelines for exploring caves at Peacock Springs?

Visitors are encouraged to follow all safety guidelines when exploring the caves at Peacock Springs. This includes only diving with certified dive teams, never diving alone, and ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained and functioning before entering the water.

Closing Thoughts

Orange Grove Sink is an amazing swimming and diving spot within the Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. Everyone enjoys it, even if spectating alone.

Looking for more Florida Springs? Start Here:

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Orange Grove Sink At Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park: One Of Florida’s Best Dives