PEPPER PARK
Dive Spot: Fort Pierce, FL
Type of diving Shore dive where larger predatory fish can be seen as well as shootable game fish such as Black, Red, and Gag grouper. Home to some of the largest lobster in the state.
Directions
From the South
I95 to Orange Ave #131 East Do not stop east of 25th street this area for anything it is a medium to high crime area. Continue East to US Hwy 1 turn North. As you crest a small rise there is a Hess Station on the right and Publix on the Left with a traffic light at the intersection of A1A and US1. Take A1A east until it turns North. About two miles ahead you will come to Pepper Park.
From the North
I95 to Indrio Road #138 East to US Hwy 1 South. When you come to SR A1A Follow the instructions from above.
What to expect at the dive sites: The standard worm reef lay out with at least three reef lines. Larger predatory fish swim these reef lines than I have seen in other parts of the state. IF the water is cold and the visibilty in the 6' region there is an excellent chance of seeing Bullsharks swimming the area. I have seen Turtles, Moray, Guitar fish, rays, Grouper of varying size and shape, Hogfish, Porkfish, Snook, Nurse Sharks, 1 million Urchins, 1.5 Million Blennys, 1/2 Million Sea Cucumbers, Barracuda, and Ballast stones from the
1715 Plate Fleet.
Amenities
Pepper Park has new bathrooms and fresh water showers. There is a large pinic pavillion area for groups based on a reservation booking with the county or if not booked on a first come basis. If you bring a yak and have wheels park in the north end of the pavillion area and there is a pathway through the dunes which is how I get the four wheeler onto the beach. West of here is Sharky's who makes submarine sandwichs named after sharks: Mako, Tiger, Greatwhite.
Pros and Cons
Visibility here changes quickly. A great day is 30'. Good day 20". Common 10~17'. When it is 6' and cold water ground wellings is when I run into the Bulls face first. This area is home to GIANT lobster. I personally saw a wiegh in of a 15 3/4# lobster in 2007 which was plucked from this area. Routinely 5 ~ 9 pounders are caught here. It is shallow 12~18' way way out from this beach.
IF YOU find unexploded ordinance.. Don't touch. Mark the area. Call 911. White Phospurus flares will exploded then burn holes THROUGH you. While in the area you can visit the National
US NAVY SEAL UDT Musuem in the same parking lot of Pepper Park the birthplace of the Navy Frogmen.