Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, FL 34609

## Overview Weeki Wachee Springs is one of Florida's most iconic natural attractions — a first-magnitude spring that has captivated visitors since the late 1940s with its crystal-clear, bright greenish-blue water and world-famous live mermaid shows. Located in Spring Hill along the west coast of Florida in Hernando County, the spring discharges from the bottom of a large conical depression, forming a pool that measures approximately 165 feet east-to-west and 210 feet north-to-south, with a depth of about 45 feet above the main vent at the center of the pool. The name "Weeki Wachee" comes from the Seminole Indians and is commonly translated as "Little Spring" or "Winding River." The attraction was created in 1947 by Newt Perry, a stunt swimmer and underwater showman who devised a technique for performers to breathe through submerged air hoses. Perry's original theater seated just 18 people and was embedded in the limerock of the spring itself, with viewing windows set below the water's surface so audiences could watch the "mermaids" perform in the spring's naturally clear water. A larger 50-seat theater was later constructed, and over the decades the park expanded to include Buccaneer Bay — a water park featuring water slides, a lazy river, and a white sandy beach. Weeki Wachee Springs attracted considerable celebrity attention over the years. Notable visitors included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, and Esther Williams. Hollywood used the springs and its mermaids as a filming location for movies such as *Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid* (1948) and *Neptune's Daughter* (1949), among others. The park was owned for a time by ABC Television, which significantly boosted its national visibility. The spring also holds geological significance. From May 22 to August 30, 2007, spring discharge dropped to a level that allowed cave divers from Karst Underwater Research to access the underwater cave system. They explored approximately 6,700 feet of passages at depths around 265 feet of fresh water (ffw), reaching a maximum depth of 407 ffw — making Weeki Wachee the deepest known freshwater cave system in the United States at the time of exploration. On November 1, 2008, the State of Florida officially took over Weeki Wachee Springs, and it became part of the Florida State Park System. The park is owned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The spring vent is surrounded by bare limestone, while the pool edges support native aquatic grasses and thick filamentous algae. The spring is home to both freshwater and saltwater fish species, as well as turtles. A visible boil rises from the center of the pool. The Weeki Wachee River flows approximately 5 miles westward from the spring to the Gulf of Mexico, passing through a swampy, densely wooded low-lying area. The terrain surrounding the spring source consists of gently rolling sand hills that rise about 15 feet above the surrounding ground. The uplands and land bordering the spring are fully developed, with U.S. Route 19 situated roughly 225 feet to the east. In more recent pop culture history, the English band Supergrass filmed their music video for "Low C" at the springs in 2005 and also produced a short documentary about the location. In summer 2006, stand-up comedian Thomas J. Kelly became the park's first-ever male mermaid — dubbed "The Little Merman" — with his adventures documented in a web TV series. Scenes featuring the Weeki Wachee Springs mermaids also appeared in Kelly Clarkson's music video for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." Much of the historical and geological information above was adapted from the Florida Geological Survey Bulletin No. 66. ## Directions 1. Head to the intersection of **U.S. Route 19 (Commercial Way)** and **State Road 50 (Cortez Boulevard)** in Weeki Wachee / Spring Hill, Florida. 2. From that intersection, continue **south on U.S. 19** for approximately **0.2 miles**. 3. Turn into the **Weeki Wachee Springs State Park** parking lot on the **west side** of U.S. 19 (the entrance will be on your right if heading south). 4. The spring vent is located within the large spring pool used for the mermaid shows inside the park. **GPS Coordinates:** 28.516696, -82.573896 **Address:** 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 ## What to Expect Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a fully developed tourist attraction and Florida State Park. Visitors can enjoy the famous live underwater mermaid performances viewed through submerged theater windows, boat rides along the spring-fed Weeki Wachee River, and — seasonally — the Buccaneer Bay water park with its water slides, lazy river, and sandy beach area. The spring pool itself is strikingly beautiful, with bright greenish-blue water and excellent clarity. A visible boil marks the center of the pool above the main vent. Aquatic grasses and algae thrive in the pool, and you may spot freshwater and saltwater fish as well as turtles. Because this is a state park, there are entrance fees, designated operating hours, and seasonal schedules — particularly for Buccaneer Bay, which typically operates during warmer months. Shops, restrooms, and other visitor facilities are located throughout the park grounds. The park can be busy during weekends and holidays, so arriving early is advisable. The surrounding Weeki Wachee River offers kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities through a scenic, swampy, densely wooded corridor that winds about 5 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Wildlife sightings — including manatees, especially during cooler months — are a highlight of river trips. While the spring water has historically been valued for its clarity and quality, the spring pool within the park is managed as a performance and recreation venue rather than a public drinking water source. Visitors should check with park staff regarding any current water-related advisories or access restrictions.