Boca Grande dive spots

[Busdiver]

Howdy all,

My wife and I will be heading south for a warm up in a couple of weeks. We will be in Boca Grande for a week. Any suggestions on dive spots that may be in the immediate locale? I know if we drive up to Venice we can do some shore diving. However this is not a dive vacation but a vacation with a dive or two. We stay plenty wet in Michigan during the winter and really just need to lay on a beach with a drink.

I really appreciate any advice. If anyone knows any additional top side attractions I would be most appreciative.

Happy Bubble Blowing,

Bus

 

[ReefGuy]

There's red rock reef, off Sandspur beach on the south end of the island on the gulf side, and the phosphate docks (advanced dive) on the south in the harbor.

I've also heard of a ledge off, I think, 14th street on the gulf side.

If you're really out for adventure, there's always the pass .

 

[Walter]

Don't dive Boca Grande without lots of experience.

 

[ReefGuy]

Walter, what's wrong with Red Rock? As long as there's decent vis.

 

[Walter]

I've only dived the pass and the docks.

 

[ReefGuy]

Aah. Red rock is off Sandspur beach, directly out from the lighthouse, about 100 yards offshore.

 

[Busdiver]

Thank you all for the info. We will be at Boca for a while and will see if anyone is diving at Red Rock and talk to them. Other then viz what are other concerns for this dive? Tricky current, etc?
My wife and I dive on a regular basis in zero to ten feet viz on a tricky river in Michigan. Yesterday's water temp was 33 degrees. So we are both used to some difficult dive conditions.

I appreciate your advice Walter and will not worry about the other dive sites. I may go and sit top side and do a little bubble watching at the docks or on the pass.

Thank you all.

Bus

 

[dkramer]

Red rock is a relatively easy & enjoyable dive provided the viz is decent. The other ledge that reefguy was talking about is on 17th street & it is also a pretty easy dive,again, provided the viz is okay. Walter is right when it comes to the pass & the phosphate docks. I hear that there is everything on the planet under the phosphate docks but the current really rips through that pass. It is an advanced dive & I would not do it unless I was with someone who had major experience diving that area. If you would like to do Red Rocks, give a shout when you get in town. I could possibly be lured out there to give you a tour.

 

[Walter]

The pass has a ripping current even at slack tide.

 

[dkramer]

The pass has a ripping current even at slack tide.

Yes it does & I agree with you that it is a dive for only the most advanced & experienced divers who are familier with the local conditions. Red Rocks on the other hand is not located in the pass but farther down near the Sandspur Range Tower.