Spanish rock
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Reef_Haven
Contributor
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!
__________________
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!
__________________
Guhr
Registered
I went to find the Spanish rocks on Saturday, went six houses south of the parking lot. Went straight out past the maker bouys, but could not find them. Are they further out away from the beach? It excapes me how we could not find them. Please help with a little more direction on how far out we need to go.
Likes2Cruise
Contributor
Well, I was there on Saturday, and the viz was pretty bad - about 5-7' with some surge. It is possible to overshoot the reeef line and end up on sand again.
Attached is a zipped (because a klm is only allowed 2kb!) KLM (Google Earth) of the path my wife and I took on Saturday. We went in at the typical exit point, as we had seen some things to look at there on a previous dive, but were heading out.
The dive was definitely hampered by the low viz, but I have seen it worse
Attached is a zipped (because a klm is only allowed 2kb!) KLM (Google Earth) of the path my wife and I took on Saturday. We went in at the typical exit point, as we had seen some things to look at there on a previous dive, but were heading out.
The dive was definitely hampered by the low viz, but I have seen it worse
Last edited:
Guhr
Registered
Based on your dive plan we were at the wrong locaiton. The information above makes it seem like it is the beach access immediately before the first curve to the left on Guld Drive. Your map shows Spanish Rocks before the second curve to the left. Is this correct?
Likes2Cruise
Contributor
Yeah, reading back I can see how you thought that.
From Manatee Ave, it is just before the SECOND left hand bend.
There is a (small) sign that says "Beach Parking --> " when you get to it.
the Google link above is correct, though.
My dive was at the northern end of the reef, so for best results head the 50yds south and then follow the reef notrh to the exit across from the parking lot.
Reef
Contributor
The wife and I will be there Sunday morning.
I hope the viz improves, and we can find it.
What's the water temp like?
I hope the viz improves, and we can find it.
What's the water temp like?
Guhr
Registered
Water temp is in the mid to upper 80's. I was very comfortable with only a rash guard.
Thanks for the additional information finding the site - it makes much more sense now.
Thanks for the additional information finding the site - it makes much more sense now.
stangd1909
Contributor
Anyone have any pics?
Reef
Contributor
Well, I was there on Saturday, and the viz was pretty bad - about 5-7' with some surge. It is possible to overshoot the reeef line and end up on sand again.
Attached is a zipped (because a klm is only allowed 2kb!) KLM (Google Earth) of the path my wife and I took on Saturday. We went in at the typical exit point, as we had seen some things to look at there on a previous dive, but were heading out.
The dive was definitely hampered by the low viz, but I have seen it worse
According to your drawing on Google Earth your walking North. The directions posted above say walk South 6 houses. Can someone clarify for me, so my wife doesn't kick my butt.
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