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Blue Tilapia

Tilapia are amongst the most popular freshwater fish in the world. Blue tilapia are members of the cichlid family (Cichlidae) and are native to Africa and the Middle East but are now a popular invasive species in the southern , especially in the state of Florida. You can easily recognize blue tilapia by their full-bodied appearance and blue-gray shading.

Divesites
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© Shutterstock-Erman Gunes

Blue tilapia are a hardy fish, growing up to 2.7 kg (6 lbs) and 45 cm (18 inches) long. Besides its native habitat in the lakes and rivers of Africa and the Middle East, you can go diving with blue tilapia in the lakes, springs, and rivers of the southern United States; however, they are the most widespread and abundant in Florida. To find out where you can go diving with blue tilapia, explore the dive site map below.

Dive sites with this animal

Sharkys Scuba Supply, K1Y 3A1 Ottawa

Conestoga Wreck (★4.3)

The largely still intact Conestoga is a 252-ft wreck in Cardinal, Ontario and is an excellent dive for all level, and exceptional night dive site. Easy shore entry leads you to a 25 m-line to the wreck. It is a shallow dive (28 ft approx.) and drift-friendly. Great site to practice a camera.
Christine E. (#3568096)

Centeen Memorial Dive Park (★4.2)

A popular dive site for all levels of divers, you can see the underwater sculpture placed here with six standing human figures looking up, surrounded at an 18-foot radius by benches at each cardinal point. Two sturgeons point north at 35 feet out, a tribute to a species that was once plentiful in the river.
Twin Palms SCUBA, 1609 Edenvale

Miracle Waters (★3.7)

Miracle Waters was an old Chromium mine that sprang a leak & filled with water. It is now used as a training & recreational site for the greater Gauteng area. It has grids that are off the bottom to alleviate the silt and various objects that have been placed inside.
Sharkys Scuba Supply, K1Y 3A1 Ottawa

Galop Island Canal (★4.3)

Entry is a giant stride by the bridge. Coordinate entry to avoid separation. Initial canal depth is 20–25 ft. Prepare to navigate a shallow section (~10 ft) where the Canal connects to the river; it has strong current and boat traffic - stay close to the bottom. Use caution and SMB if appropriate.
GULF COAST SCUBA, 77027 HOUSTON

Mammoth Lake (★4.0)

Located just one hour south from downtown Houston, Texas, this 70 acres dedicated scuba park is a fun destination for scuba divers of all levels. For more information please check their website: https://mammothlaketexas.com/
Neptune Divers, 84106 Salt Lake City

Blue Lake (★3.7)

This is a great year-round diving destination. The geothermal lake provides warm water diving even on the coldest winters. Local dive shops have been using this location to train divers for many years. There’s ample unpaved parking. It is recommended you bring a tarp to keep the mud out of your vehicles.

TODI, The Ultimate Experience (★4.3)

TODI, The Ultimate Diving Experience, is a gigantic indoor diving pool 10 meters deep and 36 meters in diameter, with more than 6,200,000 liters of water and a consistent temperature of 23°.
Scuba Ventures of Alabama, 35216 Birmingham

Blue Water Park (★4.3)

Totaling in at around 26 acres, Blue Water Park is Alabama’s premier dive site. They quarry offers diving at depths ranging from 4 to 140 feet, with an average depth of 100 feet. Visibility ranges from approximately 25 feet in the summer to 50-100 feet in the winter.
Kristen G. (#3319219)

Hudson Grotto (★4.0)

Hudson Grotto is a prehistoric limestone sink, most likely the oldest inland body of water in Pasco County. This unusual water feature is part fresh, part salt water and descends to depths over 100 feet.
Halbert G. (#2644560)

Devils Den (★4.4)

Devil’s Den is a fresh water spring with the temperature being 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. Here you will find ancient rock formations with stalactites, fossil beds, and much more. With swim throughs and platforms it’s a great place to practice buoyancy and skills.
Blue Grotto, LLC, 32696 Williston

The Blue Grotto (★4.4)

Dive the largest clear water cavern in the heart of freshwater spring country in Williston, Florida. The Blue Grotto lets you dive down to a depth of 100 feet in crystal clear water with a consistent temp of 72 degrees F all year round! A popular training dive site.
Dive Masters Of San Antonio, 78216 San Antonio

Aquarena Springs / Spring Lake (★4.3)

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, formerly known as Aquarena Springs, has been a local favorite for outdoor and water recreation. Due to protected and endangered species, water access is limited to those in scuba classes or volunteer divers who have completed the Center’s Volunteer Diving Program.
Sergio C. (#2920008)

Pennyroyal Blue Springs, Hopkinsville, Kentucky (★4.3)

Pennyroyal started with a single attraction back in 1994. Our 1941 Dodge firetruck has been a staple attraction for nearly 25 years. Over the years, several items have been acquired for dive sites. Some of the larger sites such as the Yacht wreck, Motorhome, Scuba Bus are just to name a few.
Dive Masters Of San Antonio, 78216 San Antonio

Upper Comal River (★3.9)

The Comal River, one of the shortest rivers in the US, is spring fed from the Edwards Aquifer and flows 2.5 miles through the City of New Braunfels, eventually merging with the Guadalupe River. Diving on the Comal River begins just down river from the Wurstfest Grounds and continues to just before the Tube Chute.
John R. (#2915428)

Blue Spring State Park (★4.4)

Blue Spring State Park is a state park located west of Orange City, Florida, in the United States. The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming.
Axel B. (#3048243)

Manantial La Media Luna (★4.7)

La Media Luna is a naturally occurring thermal spring located right in the heart of Mexico near San Luis Potosi. The water is fairly clear, always calm, and warm, making this an excellent site for newer divers. Because it is a thermal spring, the water is warm enough that most divers do not wear a wetsuit.
Aqua Trek Sports, 76137 Fort Worth

Meadows Center for Water and Environment, San Marcos, Texas (★4.5)

At the headwaters of the San Marcos River, more than 200 artesian springs bubble up to form Spring Lake. Here, human history stretches back more than 12,000 years to the last ice age and natural history even further. Spring Lake is a jewel for divers.
CALANGOS D’ÁGUA, 70610-480 BRASILIA

Barragem do Paranoa (★4.6)

This dive site entry is normally made via the coast. Thermoclines are present that vary from 26°C, until 9 meters, and 21°C at 18 meters; visibility varies between 2 and 5 meters.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Vista Point (★3.7)

Vista Point is a shore dive that is great for both recreational and technical divers. Visibility is generally best during the cooler times of the year. During the summer, it is a longer walk/hike to the water’s edge. The best time during the day is in the morning.
Mares

Rainbow River at KP Hole Park (★4.4)

Sitting about 100 miles north of Tampa, Rainbow River is a jewel of a dive site in the middle of Florida. Crystal clear, as it’s fed from a natural spring, this river is full of unique freshwater fish, turtles, and alligators.
Scubapro

Vortex Springs (★4.1)

This 500+ acre Resort produces approximately 32 million gallons of crystal “gin“ clear water daily and is a consistent temperature of 68 degrees. Vortex Spring is one of the most dived locations in all of Florida and is popular among technical as well as brand new divers.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Marico Oog (★3.7)

Marico Oog is made up of a variety of interlinking fresh water pools that stretch over a number of boundaries. The main section is between 12-14m deep. The average depth of the other pools is rather shallow at 3-4m, hence good buoyancy control is essential.