Diving in Sarasota area?

[My-way]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please fill me in on the diving in the close Sarasota area (if any available).

Both boat and shore if possible.

Thanks,

 

[ReefGuy]

Venice beach is just south of Sarasota (about 15 minutes away), and is a very popular shore dive around here to search for Sharks' teeth and other marine fossils. There are several artificial reefs in the area. I don't know about boats in Sarasota, the only Gulf boat I've done staged out of Placida, which is about an hour away from Sarasota ($65 for a two tank dive). To the north (within an hour) is Clearwater and St. Petersburg, which also have artifical reefs and such, but again, I don't know about boat dives from there.

 

[CBulla]

The dive shop Scuba Quest (www.scubaquestusa.com) has 2 boats that run out of Sarasota. $65 for 2 tank dives.. they also have themed dives on some days of the month (i.e. palentological dives off Venice, spear diving, etc.).

 

[My-way]

Thanks guys.

 

[ScottyK]

Last time I was down visiting mom and dad. We did a fun beach dive out of Bradenton. It was the debris field of a wreck, and it had some nice fish and colorful sponges. Any of the dive shops in the area should be able to point you in the right direction.

I can't remember the exact location anymore, but you basically park in front of the Dive Shop and take a compass bearing (which they gave me at the shop). Swim out a couple of hundred yards until you start to see the debris, and then tour it in a north/south pattern.

Have fun!

Scott