Dive today 8/22 - Red Rock Reef (Boca Grande)

[bdrannik]

TailDragger and I decided on very short notice to try out a dive at Red Rock Reef off of Boca Grande today, if anybody would like to join us.. Should be there around 10-10:30am..
Boca Grande is roughly 25 miles south of Venice.

Directions:
Pay the $3.50? toll to get onto Boca Grande and drive until you get to the stopsign at "downtown". Turn right at the stopsign.

After you turn right at the stopsign the road will make a very sharp turn to the left after a block or two and then straighten out. Continue along to the next stop sign.

Once you go thru this stopsign, start looking to the right for the first public beach area. It's a few blocks. If you go past the lighthouse on the right you just missed it. If you get lost ask anybody around how to get to the "first lighthouse".. (There are 2 lighthouses, one at the first public beach area and the other down at the "end" of Boca Grande)

From the beach area / lighthouse, the reef is about 100-150 yards out at about "Eleven-O-Clock" or so.. I've only been there once before so I'm guesstimating on the distance from shore...

 

[bdrannik]

I sure hope nobody decided to come on down to dive... We got there and a State Patrol was at the beach access area keeping everybody out.. He said that the waters around Boca Grande were off-limits until at least Tuesday, as they are waiting for water contamination results due to sewage run-off after the storm.. We drove about 70 miles round trip, plus the toll, to have the beach closed.. argghh...

Anyway, we headed up to Venice and had a good day browsing the small reef off the public beach area..

 

[Trish The Fish]

Hey, glad you posted this anyway.
Initially reading the post, I thought it was a dive site off of Boca Raton (SE Florida).
Yeah, wow.... Boca Grande is a scenic view. Didn't know the diving was any good there. HAVE YOU BEEN BEFORE?
I'm very curious to your answer. PLEASE lemme know.
TTF

I sure hope nobody decided to come on down to dive... We got there and a State Patrol was at the beach access area keeping everybody out.. He said that the waters around Boca Grande were off-limits until at least Tuesday, as they are waiting for water contamination results due to sewage run-off after the storm.. We drove about 70 miles round trip, plus the toll, to have the beach closed.. argghh...

Anyway, we headed up to Venice and had a good day browsing the small reef off the public beach area..

 

[cg156]

I was up at stump pass last weekend and the water was crystal clear, thinking about seeing if I can find Red Rock Reef off Boca.

Is this the first light house you are refering too??

Anyone been there and can confirm the location. I'll be going by boat.

boca grande, fl - Google Maps

PS: Super Old thread bump!!

 

[dkramer]

The reef is located about 100 yds out & a tad south of the white range tower off of Sandspur Beach. I can't imagine viz is gonna be too good & be careful. There are numerous reports of jelly fish. You're right, this is a way old thread. Hurricane Charley old.

 

[cg156]

The reef is located about 100 yds out & a tad south of the white range tower off of Sandspur Beach. I can't imagine viz is gonna be too good & be careful. There are numerous reports of jelly fish. You're right, this is a way old thread. Hurricane Charley old.

So thats the correct light house in the google map?? I'll take a peak and head horth to venice if it doesn't look appealing! I was at cayo costa yesterday and well...didn't get stung!

Thanks for the help!

 

[dkramer]

No Problem. Good Luck!