At the Florida Springs Institute, we think the best views at the springs are found underwater. Getting under the surface with a mask and snorkel is like being in a giant, crystal clear aquarium full of a startling variety of brilliant and amazing creatures. 

This Springs Field Guide is intended to help visitors to Florida’s springs to identify the turtles that they see swimming through our beautiful waters. We hope you’ll be inspired to go back again and again to find all of the life and beauty within Florida’s springs.

Click the button below to learn more about each of Florida’s 9 most common turtle species, with identification tips for each!

Images and Springs Field Guide design by FSI environmental scientist William Hawthorne.