Any good wreck dives near Clearwater?

SteveDiver

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• Dec 3, 2004

• #1

We are coming to the Clearwater area Dec.24-Jan.3rd looking to set up some dives before we arrive. We want to dive with the Manatee's and get a couple other dives in. Would like to wreck dive if possible. Can any local experts make any suggestions?

 

C

CaveDiverJeff

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• Dec 3, 2004

• #2

Like I said in prior posts the quality of diving in the Gulf varries from day to day, but it can be great. Depth has a lot to do with it. If you're not a tech/wreck diver the follow wrecks are good.

Shallow 30 - 69 feet: Cable Barge, Army Tanks, LCM, "The Sixty Foot Wreck"
Mid Depth 70 - 90 Feet: Gunsmoke, USCG Cutter Blackthorn, Sheridan Tug
Deep 91 - 130: Mexican Pride

Hope this helped

 

C

CBulla

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• Dec 4, 2004

• #3

There is also the shore dive of the Wreck of the Regina in Bradenton.

 

cdiver2

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• Dec 4, 2004

• #4

Ditto Jeff, except the tanks and LCM

 

Far_X

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• Dec 4, 2004

• #5

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this post but there is a possibility of me moving to Clearwater. I was wondering how frequently dives get snowballed because of the weather (other than hurricanes) and what alternatives there are when the sea is a no go. Are the caves to the north easily accessible as this is something that could tempt me from the cold murky waters of Long island

 

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CBulla

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• Dec 4, 2004

• #6

Far_X - the East coast is only a few hours off, the Gulf of Mexico is Clearwater's diving spot mostly and there are a handfull of dive spots south of the CW area. North and inland are the springs, cavers, and caves, and a few places such as Crystal River that are easy to hit as well. FL is definitely the place to be if you want diversity of dives.

 

Far_X

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• Dec 4, 2004

• #7

CBulla, thx. It certainly sounds good. We have beach and wreck diving up here but there were so many boat trips cancelled this summer and if you work M-F that doesn't leave much of an opportunity to dive off-shore. I love the beaches nonetheless but most of the ones near me you have to hope for a long high slack. So lots of alternatives sounds good.

 

OneBrightGator

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• Dec 5, 2004

• #8

Are there any operators that run to those wrecks on a regular basis? Any chance of hitting two of them on one trip? Average cost?

 

cyklon_300

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• Dec 5, 2004

• #9

I've used a boat in Clearwater called the Sandy Cay II...

http://www.ezscuba.com/charter_directions.htm

We did the Sheridan tug, Middle Grounds, and an artificial reef, cost was $75-85 IIRC.

 

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CBulla

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• Dec 5, 2004

• #10

Your most welcome.. our summer was a little hairy to the water is still mucky.

OBG - I wish I could provide some info on that, but I don't really dive up that way. I believe the costs are in the 65-85 range, mostly because of fuel costs. Gulf diving is a little longer boat ride than most people are used to since you have to go a bit off shore to get into any sort of depth. When we go out here in Ft Myers, its 13-15 miles to get into 65' of water.