Bathtub Reef questions

[cutt]

Did a brief snorkel trip the other day to scope out Bathtub Reef in Stuart. I entered at the first beach access north of Bathtub Beach and from there it was only a 50 yard swim south until I was on the east side of the reef. I figured this route would be better for my wife than trying to cross over the reef. While I was out there I saw several mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper and dare I say a lobster! Question is I figure I can take lobsters without any problems. Can I spear on the east side of the reef? Obviously I wont be doing both at the same time but I wanted to make sure I was far enough out of the swimming zone to be legal. If anyone who has dove there knows I would surely appreciate it.

 

[jimw]

We have not yet been diving there, but have snorkeled some of it. It was suggested to us that we get in at the south end of the Bathtub parking area and around the south end of the reef there. That would put you away from swimmers to a greater degree............

Deep Six on Jensen Beach Blvd should have some info.

 

[OneRestlessNative]

I haven't heard that you cant spearfish there but I'm pretty sure the 100 yard rule is in effect from any public beach for spearfishing. The only places that I know of as no spearfishing/lobstering zones are State Parks and Preserves, as far as I know Bathtub is a public beach and not listed as either.

 

[Shcubasteve]

From FWC's website-

"You may NOT spearfish...
■Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach..."

The lifeguards may complain if you walk into the water in front of them with a speargun

Also, be careful not to scrape or walk on the 'sandcastle worm' live coral that grows there...If you hear it crunch, its now dead.
From an ease-of-access-to-the-outside-reef point of view, parking at The Rocks (1 beach N of Bathtub) is the best bet as you found out. From a see-the-most-stuff point of view, park as far south at BT as possible and walk south 100 yards before swimming out. High tide is also preferred.

I’m sure you have seen my clips of bathtub from last summer but here it is again.
YouTube - BathTub Reef Kayak Diving Summer 2009

Here is the BeachCam. Bookmark it and check for Vis before heading out
Bathtub Beach - Martin County, Florida

Swing by Deep Six for more information, ask for Steve

 

[Dave C]

Scuba Steve,
Very nice video of Bathtub Beach. Interesting tidbit: I have seen worm "reefs" in shallow water around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (in the Pacific) that look virtually identical to those off the east coast of FL. I have been to quite a few places, and the only spots that I have these reefs is Palm Beach and Cabo San Lucas.

 

[OneRestlessNative]

Dave, we have a pretty extensive stretch of this stuff along our coast. It starts around the Sebastian area and continues down into South Florida. That is over a hundred mile stretch in various patches and formations along the beaches. Not very pretty to look at but interesting none the less....

Every time I go to Bathtub I see some yahoo walking on the reef and just cringe.... There should be warnings posted...

 

[danvolker]

From FWC's website-

"You may NOT spearfish...
■Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach..."

The lifeguards may complain if you walk into the water in front of them with a speargun

Also, be careful not to scrape or walk on the 'sandcastle worm' live coral that grows there...If you hear it crunch, its now dead.
From an ease-of-access-to-the-outside-reef point of view, parking at The Rocks (1 beach N of Bathtub) is the best bet as you found out. From a see-the-most-stuff point of view, park as far south at BT as possible and walk south 100 yards before swimming out. High tide is also preferred.

I’m sure you have seen my clips of bathtub from last summer but here it is again.
YouTube - BathTub Reef Kayak Diving Summer 2009

Here is the BeachCam. Bookmark it and check for Vis before heading out
Bathtub Beach - Martin County, Florida

Swing by Deep Six for more information, ask for Steve

Steve, is there any part of Bathtub reef deep enough for a freediver to feel like they are freediving...i.e, any 20 foot or deeper sections? What is the typical depth?
Thanks,
DanV

 

[Shcubasteve]

Steve, is there any part of Bathtub reef deep enough for a freediver to feel like they are freediving...i.e, any 20 foot or deeper sections? What is the typical depth?
Thanks,
DanV

Its really shallow at BT. Locals know this, but at lowtide the reef is actually exposed above the waterline. As you cross over and head east, the reef slopes east to a max depth of 21' out in the sand. The distance from the exposed area to the sand maybe 100-200yards- quite a ways. Average depth is around 15'.

This area is REALLY popular with boaters- the inlet is <1mile. bring a FLAG for sure.

 

[danvolker]

Its really shallow at BT. Locals know this, but at lowtide the reef is actually exposed above the waterline. As you cross over and head east, the reef slopes east to a max depth of 21' out in the sand. The distance from the exposed area to the sand maybe 100-200yards- quite a ways. Average depth is around 15'.

This area is REALLY popular with boaters- the inlet is <1mile. bring a FLAG for sure.

Thanks. Since I have never been there, I may just have to try this soon...freedivng for me, and macro photography for my wife, on scuba.
Thanks,
DanV

 

[muddymc]

What is the best time to snorkel bathtub reef. High tide or low tide?