Florida Dive Spots

[Scubaguy62]

Type of Diving: Shore Dive

Overview: This dive site is excellent for those who love an easy dive and a not-so-crowded dive site.

Directions to site: I-95 to the Atlantic Blvd. Exit; go east across the intracostal bridge to Ocean Drive (a.k.a. A1A), then head south to SE 12th st. (look for the signs of the Fairfield Condominimum and the Best Western Beach Comber hotel); go east to the end of the street.

Parking: There are four (4) parking meters at the site (quarters only), $1.00 per hr. It's best to, especially on the weekends, be there between 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. as the meteres will be occupied if not there by then. If the meters are occupied, there are two benches on the other side of the meters; you can set up and get into your wetsuit (highly recommended as there are numerous areas of fire coral), and then go and park your car on the grass lot to the south of the shopping strip at the intersection of SE 12th St. and A1A, which is free. DO NOT PARK AT THE SHOPPING STRIP OR ON THE GUEST PARKING SPOTS OF THE CONDOMINIUMS; YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED.

The diving: As in LBTS, this is a two tier reef, only that the first tier is much closer to shore, and a bit more varied in its topography. Do as best of a current assesment as you can and plan the dive accordingly. There is usually a gentle (.5 knot) north current there, but it can revert to a south current. The surface swim is about 75' to the buoy. My suggestion is to swim on your back to about 10 - 20' past the buoy; you should see the first part of the reef underneath you. The reef starts out patchy, but as you head east it opens up into a nice, healthy reef, with lots and lots of marine life. The reef is very nice if you start out going south, but it's even nicer if you start out going north. Keep the current in mind though. Bring your camera as this is a macro paradise with lots of juvenile damsels, blennys, neon gobys, wrasses, etc., as well as lots of fan and christmas tree worms and other criters. On occassion, a turtle might just come up and say hi, and I've seen two blue ring octopusses there (very highly poisonous). Max depth, between 20 - 25' depending on whether you make it east of the second tier. The dive is excellent for newly certified divers, as well as those who love a good shore dive. An excellent spot for night diving.

Amenities: There are two benches where you can sit and set up comfortably, and there is one shower. The beach is not usually crowded, and the walk from the benches to the ocean is no more than the surface swim. There are no restrooms or changing areas though. There are two dive shops within a 5 minute drive from the site; South Florida Diving Headquarters (just east of the bridge and 50' north of Atlantic Blvd.) and Force E, which is about 1/8 of a mile west of the bridge. Both of them can fill nitrox. Also, Fill Express is on Dixie Hwy (about 3 miles west and 1 mile north of Atlantic Blvd.) Plenty of places where to get something to eat, and a Bank of America ATM just south of Atlantic Blvd.

Pros & cons: The reef is healthy, close to shore, the beach is not crowded, and the walk to the shore is short. However, the parking is the biggest drawback, as there are only 4 meters. This is also an unattended beach, but a nice place to make it a day at the beach as well as a day of diving.

Most recently visited: August 26, 2004 (twilight dive)

RECENT UPDATE!!! (AS OF AUGUST 2006)

Hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Wilma have opened up a third tier to the reef, which is approximately 50' east of the 2nd tier. The 2nd and 3rd tier join together into a very nice and complex reef structure on the north side of 12th St., not much further than approximately 100 yrds north of the entry point from 12th St. Now more than ever, the north side of the reef is the nicer side.

I dive this site a minimum of 3 times a month, and everytime I see something different. My last dive there (last day of this year's mini-season), we came accross two playful green moray eels, and three even more playful yellow stingrays, notwithstanding the treat of a Hawksbill turtle that was taking a rest in one of the crevices. One lobster was spotted, and chased, but got away; it was an easy keeper

During the end of May through Mid June this year, the tarpon were running every day, and every time I dove the site, we ran into a school of about 20 - 25 four to six foot tarpon swimming by. But the encounter that IMHO has, hands down, been the most exciting for me was when I swam over a juvenile Manta Ray that was sucking up planckton in about 10 fsw. She wasn't big (about 6' wingspan), but extremely rare for this area, thus a very nice treat. If you're brave enough, and have enough gas supply, you could swimm east all the way to the Pompano Drop-off (about 500 yds from the shore).

The best way to judge the current is to observe the buoy; it will lean in the direction where the current is headed, so you can plan accordingly.

The parking situation on the empty lot south of the shopping strip has not changed; if you park there, you will be towed. As of the last day of this year's mini-season, one of the meters has been removed and has not been replaced. It's still $1.00 per hr., and if the meters are all occupied, the west end of 13th st. is the best alternative ('tis free).



Most recently visited July 27, 2006.

 

[HarleyDiver_FL]

Type of Dive: Fresh Water Springs, Cavern, Cave

Location: Ginnie Springs, High Springs FL

Cost to Dive: OW = $27.00 US, FULL Cave Cert. = $20.00 US, 10% Military Discount available.

Info on Location with Directions and phone numbers:www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com

Ammenities: Beautiful Lodge type dive shop, WARM bathrooms with pleanty of hot water. Pleanty of parking. Several different dives available for one price. Security onsite near cave entrances. Many tables to set up on, Camping available.

Requirements: Minimum of OW Cert. Lights allowed in the ballroom, No lights allowed in the Cavern/Cave area unless you are a Certified Cavern/Cave diver. UW Scooters allowed with enough manuverabilty room in the Main Cave.

Attitudes: MOST of the staff very friendly. Seems like one was having a bad day or just hated his job.

Pros/Cons: Crystal Clear water Spring, Divers with poor boyancy control will muck up the water, Gets a bit over loaded at times near entrances. Due to high water flow and volume water will clear up faster than most springs. Water temp 72. Rather close to approximately 15 or more other spring locations, all with in 45 minutes to an hour away. Rental Gear and AIR fills available ( NITROX is not available at this location )

Most Recently Visited: January 20, 2007

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

Red Rocks:

Red Rocks is a small (~ 1 acre in size) shore diving/kayak diving reef ~ 100 yards offshore of the Boca Grande Range light. There is an abundance of marine life on the reef including raccoon butterfly fish, filefish, juvenile gag grouper, clown triggerfish, snapper & cuda. Water depth off the reef is about 17 feet, on top of the reef about 7 -10 feet. Vizibility can be variable and is best after a long period of easterly winds. On a good viz day, you can see the reef from the beach.

Directions: (from Tampa & areas north)

• Take I-75 south to the North River Road exit. (It’s the one right after Jacaranda) Go south on North River Road.
• Cross over 41 & the Road changes its name to South River Road, follow that until you come to Pine Street.
• Turn left on Pine Street.
• Follow Pine Street to 776
• Cross over 776 & the street name will change to Placida Road.
• Follow Placida for a while until you get to the Boca Grande Causeway. turn right
• Follow the causeway to the toll booth ($4), after you get through the toll booth; just follow the road all the way to the 4 way stop sign (5th St. W.).
• Turn right at the stop sign & then left at the flag pole (Gulf Bvld.).
• Follow the road to the next stop sign (Gulf Bvld. & Sea Breeze Ct.).

Ahead of you will be a white, tower lighthouse (Boca Grande Range Light - 26 44’27.6”N, 82 15’46.8”W). That is the Sandspur Tower. Parking lot is located on your right, just north of that tower($2 to park all day). (Remember, you're heading south, if you pass the tower, you went too far.)

Amenites:

The parking area/beach access has a paved parking area, showers, restrooms and covered picnic tables. It is about100 yards from the parking area to the water. If you kayak dive a cart with beach tires is a must.

 

[hectorj84]

I know this is posted in many places. I had trouble finding it and I decided to post a little information on it since this seems like the appropriate place to post it. Seems like a lot of divers know this site already though.

Notice: There are 2 seperate directions, 2 different ways to access the site. They are numbered as 1, or 2 below. Just follow one. Sorry for the mixup.

-Name: Eurojacks

-Address:
1. John U. Lloyd State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive
Dania, Florida 33004

2. Can also be accessed by the Dania Pier, go in through Cambridge St. right behind the south side of the A1A overpass.

-Parking:
1. From State Park: $5 per car (less if single occupant). Park in the first parking lot on the right. Try to park closer to the south end of the lot if the little bridge isn't close (there's a bridge to cross over some water, it was closed when i went there it had caution tape).

2. From Pier: Park as close North as possible, $1.25 per hour, pay master meters, display ticket on dashboard. Watch the "Restaurant Only" parking spaces! There's a lot of those. The machines accept dollars and quarters, I would bring both sometimes it doesn't accept quarters, other times it doesn't accept dollars (I think it has to be $1 dollar bills I can't recall exactly if they take $5 dollar bills).


-A line of Eurojacks (concrete star-shaped) that starts at about 100 yards from the shore to about 550 yards from the shore, ending at a small relief.

-Beach dive. Can find other divers (boats) anchored nearby or right over it at the farther end (careful).
-Directions from the Parking:
1. From the Park, cross the bridge to the beach and walk south about a quarter mile (440 yards). In the sand you will see about 2 or 3 concrete Eurojacks, halfway in the sand. They stick up. If you see rangers driving up and down the beach in 4-wheelers you can just ask them. Warning: They check your coolers for alcohol, no alcohol in the state park. Just swim straight out east, you will find the first jacks at about 100 yards from the shore. You can just follow them East as far as they go (watch your air, and watch boats overhead don't tangle your dive flag with parked boats).

2. From the pier, walk east to the beach and then walk North a little over a quarter mile (about 550 yards). If you see rangers driving up and down the beach in 4-wheelers you can just ask them. Warning: They check your coolers for alcohol, no alcohol in the state park. Just swim straight out east, you will find the first jacks at about 100 yards from the shore. You can just follow them East as far as they go (watch your air, and watch boats overhead don't tangle your dive flag with parked boats).

-What to expect at the dive site: it is mostly sandy/rocky (hard sand?), there's alot of hiding spaces so you will see snook, angelfish, I even saw a bristle worm at the end of the jacks near the relief. People have reported nurse sharks (I'm excited to return and hope to see one this time.

-If you park next to the pier, there's a shower right next to it, and a restaurant right on the pier.

-Pros: Nice easy dive for scuba, snorkel, etc. Easy to find, just follow the line out east, and then follow it back west.
Cons: Long walk. Prepare to carry your tank on your back for about a quarter mile.

-I last visited it September 1, 2007.
If you have any questions, or need a divebuddy to go with, I'd be more than glad to go! =) Just send me a PM or contact me at hectorj84@gmail.com.

 

[solensdotter]

I know this is posted in many places. I had trouble finding it and I decided to post a little information on it since this seems like the appropriate place to post it. Seems like a lot of divers know this site already though.

Notice: There are 2 seperate directions, 2 different ways to access the site. They are numbered as 1, or 2 below. Just follow one. Sorry for the mixup.

-Name: Eurojacks

-Address:
1. John U. Lloyd State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive
Dania, Florida 33004

2. Can also be accessed by the Dania Pier, go in through Cambridge St. right behind the south side of the A1A overpass.

-Parking:
1. From State Park: $5 per car (less if single occupant). Park in the first parking lot on the right. Try to park closer to the south end of the lot if the little bridge isn't close (there's a bridge to cross over some water, it was closed when i went there it had caution tape).

2. From Pier: Park as close North as possible, $1.25 per hour, pay master meters, display ticket on dashboard. Watch the "Restaurant Only" parking spaces! There's a lot of those. The machines accept dollars and quarters, I would bring both sometimes it doesn't accept quarters, other times it doesn't accept dollars (I think it has to be $1 dollar bills I can't recall exactly if they take $5 dollar bills).


-A line of Eurojacks (concrete star-shaped) that starts at about 100 yards from the shore to about 550 yards from the shore, ending at a small relief.

-Beach dive. Can find other divers (boats) anchored nearby or right over it at the farther end (careful).
-Directions from the Parking:
1. From the Park, cross the bridge to the beach and walk south about a quarter mile (440 yards). In the sand you will see about 2 or 3 concrete Eurojacks, halfway in the sand. They stick up. If you see rangers driving up and down the beach in 4-wheelers you can just ask them. Warning: They check your coolers for alcohol, no alcohol in the state park. Just swim straight out east, you will find the first jacks at about 100 yards from the shore. You can just follow them East as far as they go (watch your air, and watch boats overhead don't tangle your dive flag with parked boats).

2. From the pier, walk east to the beach and then walk North a little over a quarter mile (about 550 yards). If you see rangers driving up and down the beach in 4-wheelers you can just ask them. Warning: They check your coolers for alcohol, no alcohol in the state park. Just swim straight out east, you will find the first jacks at about 100 yards from the shore. You can just follow them East as far as they go (watch your air, and watch boats overhead don't tangle your dive flag with parked boats).

-What to expect at the dive site: it is mostly sandy/rocky (hard sand?), there's alot of hiding spaces so you will see snook, angelfish, I even saw a bristle worm at the end of the jacks near the relief. People have reported nurse sharks (I'm excited to return and hope to see one this time.

-If you park next to the pier, there's a shower right next to it, and a restaurant right on the pier.

-Pros: Nice easy dive for scuba, snorkel, etc. Easy to find, just follow the line out east, and then follow it back west.
Cons: Long walk. Prepare to carry your tank on your back for about a quarter mile.

-I last visited it September 1, 2007.
If you have any questions, or need a divebuddy to go with, I'd be more than glad to go! =) Just send me a PM or contact me at hectorj84@gmail.com.

Parking is typically easiest at the north end the Dania pier parking lot (by the way, does anyone know if they finally re-opened the south lot in the park? It was closed all summer).

Be sure to pay for the parking and, as mentioned, watch out for all of the spots reserved for the restaurant - they do ticket / tow! The meters do accept bills, including $1s and $5s. If one meter isn't working, some of the others will be...

From the north parking lot, it's about a third of a mile to the jacks. Note that the E and NE winds over the past few months have really kicked the sand up onto the beach, and the jacks on the beach are all but buried. On October 25th, there was only 4-6" of one Jack sticking out of the sand. It was slightly better when I was there on November 17th, but they are still tough to find at the moment... If you cannot find the jacks on the beach, you are in about the right spot when you are directly opposite some dead, stripped trees that you can see on the other side of the Intracoastal. We actually used them as a reference point when swimming out last time.

And, yes, there are definitely nurse sharks on the Jacks. The most I've seen on a single dive is 4, 2-3 is usual. I have the feeling that people harass the sharks quite a bit, though, because they do go through phases where they get a bit flighty...

Once you reach the end of the Jacks, you can usually drift south along the reef line towards the pier, saving the long hike through the sand.

Have fun!

 

[alcina]

***MOD POST***
SeaYoda has updated the Destin Jetty information in post #9 today.

 

[Missdirected]

Dive Spot: Spanish Rocks

Location: Bradenton Beach/Anna Maria Island, FL

Type of diving: Shore dive – good for beginners

From Tampa ST/Pete: I-75 south from Tampa to the Bradenton/ State road 64 exit.
Note, there is an A and B – take exit A it will head you toward the beach.
Exit toward the right. Stay on that road for about 8 miles or so, until you get to Gulf Dr. (you will hit Gulf Dr. after you cross the intercoastal waterway).
Turn left on Gulf Dr. and take it down about 1/2 mile
Just before the curve to the left there is beach access and parking. That is where you want to be. It is a small sand lot between some houses and apartments. Just pull in and park. Gear up walk down the beach to the left about 50 yards (6 houses).

From Sarasota/Bradenton:
Take 41 north to Cortez Rd. turn left (west) on Cortez until you cross the intercoastal waterway.
Turn right at Gulf Drive and go north about 2 miles
Follow Gulf Drive to the left at the traffic light
The beach access is on the left after you round the curve
Beach access is a small sand lot between some houses and apartments. That is where you want to be. It is a small sand lot between some houses and apartments. Just pull in and park. Gear up walk down the beach to the left about 50 yards (6 houses).

The address for the house next to the sandlot where one should park is; 33 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, FL.
Some other links:
Google Maps
Google Maps

What to expect at the dive site:
Rock ledges soft, hard small coral croppings, Sea grasses with sea horses. 22ft’ or less. DON'T FORGET YOUR DIVE FLAG!!! Boaters here are known for their careless behavior, so be cautious and again don’t forget your flag.
Amenities: None. Closest dive shop - Seatrek Divers Dive Shop - 105 7th Street North; Bradenton Beach, FL 34217; (941) 779-1506

Pros and Cons: Great dive for newbs, as depths are no greater than 22'. Fairly easy swim from beach to site. Visibility is rarely better than 15' but the price is right!

 

[DiverDave1956]

MoteMan: "Red Rocks is a small (~ 1 acre in size) shore diving/kayak diving reef ~ 100 yards offshore of the Boca Grande Range light. There is an abundance of marine life on the reef including raccoon butterfly fish, filefish, juvenile gag grouper, clown triggerfish, snapper & cuda."

I never dove Red Rocks, but I doubt you saw some of those fish you list. Raccoon butterflyfish & clown triggerfish are Pacific fish.

 

[Divergirl4U]

Type of Diving: Shore Dive

Overview: VISTA VIEW PARK/ Oakland Park Blvd

Directions to site: Oakland Park Blvd this nice little reef site at vista view Park. Take A1A South from Oakland Park blvd until you get to NE 27th St. go East to N. Atlantic Blvd. Then turn North
oakland park blvd & a1a, broward, fl - Google Maps

Parking: metered parking

The diving: The entry is right there and goes out to a patch reef from 9ft to 18ft as you swim East. Lots of soft corals are here and many juvenile species hide from predators here. Park is open from 8am to 8pm. You’ll need your dive flag, no lifeguards. LAT/LONG 26 09.803N 80 05.738W


Amenities: Showers

Pros & cons: First reef is not so good so swim out to the second before you drop.

Most recently visited: April 2008

 

[Divergirl4U]

Type of Diving: Shore Dive

Overview: Perry Street & N Surf Road Dania Beach, fl


Directions to site:
Perry street & n surf road dania beach, fl - Google Maps

Parking: metered parking

The diving: The entry is a good 100 yards from your parking, and the swim is out past the swim buoys. This rock pile runs from Perry Street a bit south but mainly north and offers many nooks and crannies for fish to hide. This is a young dive site with lots of new soft/hard corals and many juvenile species of tropicals as well as game fish. You’ll need your dive flag, no lifeguards.

Amenities: Showers

Pros & cons: Very young site

Most recently visited: April 2008