The Mineral Springs

At Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, the “healing waters flow”™ and mind and body unite in complete harmony, resulting in a state of “well-being.” This state of well-being can be sustained or regained by following the age-old path of “taking the waters”, a practice recognized for its healing properties since ancient times.

The 2,000-year-old Espiritu Santo Springs, meaning “Springs of the Holy Spirit,” are a liquid treasure, located beneath our resort. The Toccobaga and Timucuan tribes knew it in the 1400s, when they fished and bathed in their sparkling waters, and Hernando de Soto realized it in 1539 when he came upon these shores, and thought he had discovered the legendary “The Fountain of Youth.”

Our Espiritu Santo mineral springs produce close to two million gallons of water monthly and serve as the exclusive source providing refreshing spring water to all of our guests. The natural mineral springs is used in our spa treatments, for drinking water, and for relaxation in our many pools. At Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, we take great pride in the purity of our healing waters and we invite you to experience their rejuvenating powers.

The Resort

Over the years, many others have been attracted to the purity of our mineral springs. During the 1850s, Colonel William J. Bailey purchased the springs from the government and in the early 1900s water from all five were springs was bottled, and labeled according to the various properties and “healing powers,” then shipped to eager customers around the world. Lured by those powers, a doctor purchased the springs in 1936 and rebuilt the facilities. Nine years later, the famous Dr. Salem Baranoff bought the property and transformed it into Safety Harbor Spa.

Since that time, the young and old, rich and famous have all came to Safety Harbor to experience the waters, attempting to obtain perpetual youth. Many have been restored and rejuvenated by the purity of Espirito Santo Mineral Springs. In 1964, their impact was recognized and the site was declared an historical landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The State of Florida followed in 1997, recognizing the Espiritu Santo springs as a Florida Heritage Landmark.

Today, we welcome visitors from all over the world to our comprehensive resort, spa and fitness center for relaxation and the allure of the “Fountain of Youth.” The springs serve as the primary source of water for our resort, used in the pools, restaurant, and, of course, the Spa. For over 60 years we have welcomed guests to this tranquil location on Tampa Bay.

We invite you to discover the wellness through the waters - to relax the mind, rejuvenate the body and refresh the spirit at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.