Beach diving in Jupiter???

[sportxlh]

Yesterday while diving with Jupiter Dive Center, one of the DM's and I got talking and she indicated that there is no beach diving in Jupiter, indicating that the only real beach dive in palm beach county is blue heron bridge, which I have dove a number of times.

I recently picked up Ned DeLoach's 'Diving Guide to Underwater Florida' and the book lists several beach dives and I was wondering if any locals (or anyone else for that matter) can tell me if these are decent dives or not (for comparison purposes, I consider the BHB well worth diving).

The sites listed include:

-Blowing Rocks at the Blowing Rocks Preserve
-Coral Cover Park
-South Jupiter Island Bridge
-Carlin Park (I have snorklers here)

-MacArthur Park (this is not in the book, but the state park's web site indicates that scuba is allowed, though I have only seen snorklers at the park)

thanks

 

[cudachaser]

I think Jupiter is Palm Beach County and beach dives are prohibited there (Stupid Law). I'm also very curious I have heard of "Blowing Rocks" I also sure would like know of this

 

[djtimmy77]

Blowing rocks and coral cove are basically the same reef system, pretty decent snorkeling. Lots of little fish, some bigger fish such as parrotfish, porkfish, sheepshead, snapper, etc, and we've seen nurse sharks and big tarpon there as well. These spots are definately best on a calm summer day after it has been calm for several days in a row. If it is wavy, you can also snorkel on the intracoastal side of Coral Cove, which is more grassy, and have seen small lobsters, small fish, and had a manatee swim right underneath us. I suppose it is possible to scuba dive at or near these parks but there would be a good chance of a lifeguard getting mad.

Another snorkel spot not to be missed is MacArthur Park. There is a fantastic reef there and we've seen all sorts of fish, spotted moray, nurse sharks, guitarfish, corals, etc. Again it is best after it has been calm for several days. Just north of there, there are some additional reef formations, but unfortunately there isn't really any easy access thanks to the rich folks in the Lost Tree neighborhood.

Another spot I plan to check out is Ocean Reef park in Singer island, to see if there are any reef formations there.

My coworkers and I are planning on really investigating the shore diving next summer, stretching north towards vero and south into Ft. Lauderdale, to supplement the boat diving.

 

[sportxlh]

My coworkers and I are planning on really investigating the shore diving next summer, stretching north towards vero and south into Ft. Lauderdale, to supplement the boat diving.

Let me know what you find: I am also trying to find alternatives to boat diving. Boat diving is great, but gets expensive after a while. I was hoping that there would be other beach-dive locations aside from the Blue Heron Bridge

 

[ctx120]

check this one out erojacks
scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-69860.html

Pompano beach it is a swim to the drop off point ,but worth it. I go every Saturday morning .Let me know if your interested

http://meetup.com/southfloridadiving/calendar/9292898/

 

[Reef_Haven]

I think Jupiter is Palm Beach County and beach dives are prohibited there (Stupid Law). I'm also very curious I have heard of "Blowing Rocks" I also sure would like know of this

You have any info on prohibitions?

I've been to Blowing Rocks and Coral Cove. I never found anything that resembled a reef, just large mostly flat rocks with very little relief. Quite a few fish though.

Breakers Shallow can be dove from shore, about 3 miles South of BHB. There are three reef lines starting about 200 yards out. There is usually a light North current. We usually drop our gear with a buddy at Sunset Ave. You can't park here without a permit. Drive North about a quarter mile on N County Rd and park then jog back. When you swim back to shore from your dive you should be fairly in line with your vehicle.

You can see the reef lines here.

West Palm Beach, FL - Google Maps

 

[djtimmy77]

Coral Cove/Blowing Rocks is a rock reef, starting at the shoreline. Not much in the way of living coral. There can be a fair amount of relief, depending on where you are.

 

[mckinness]

I will be in west palm beach area 1/2/09- 1/14/09 Wouldnt mind hooking up with locals for some beach dives. send me a message with contact info. i love to keep the low buck option open as well. Does anyone know who offers the cheapest 10 trip boat pass?

 

[Jupiter31]

I will be in west palm beach area 1/2/09- 1/14/09 Wouldnt mind hooking up with locals for some beach dives. send me a message with contact info. i love to keep the low buck option open as well. Does anyone know who offers the cheapest 10 trip boat pass?

Jupiter Dive Center has a deal if you buy (pre pay) 5 trips, you get 6 included -

I think its $60/per trip, so paying @ $300 for 5 it works out to $50 per trip for 6 (300 divided by 6 = 50) - you do need to add sales tax

Very fair price for the service provided.