Diving near Tampa

[hawksbill]

I am an experienced diver looking for suggestions for sites near (70 mile radius) Tampa.
Any reccomendations on sites, shops, or charters would be greatly appreciated. Mostly interested in wildlife viewing and exploring anything new.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Walter]

There are some great wrecks offshore Clearwater.

 

[Firebrand]

There are great wrecks off Egmont Key too. I have a chart that I'm going to be looking up when I get home from work tonight. I'll try to post some interesting wreck coordinates (for a GPS) soon.

 

[hawksbill]

Thanks to Walter and Firebrand,

Are these dives accessible from shore or is a boat necessary? I am wondering what kinds of depths to expect, I have'nt done any diving on the gulf side of Florida but have been to Lauderdale and Keys. Any reccomended shops or dive operators near Tampa?

 

[purduepete007]

Most of the dive boats are out of Clearwater. I've been on a few, tanks-a-lot, reef tours, but I like seafox the best. http://www.seafoxdivecharters.com/

Depths are only going to be around 80 feet max. You have to go out a long ways in the gulf to get any depth. The most famous wrecks that are dove are the Sheridan and the Blackthorn.

The best dive shop in Tampa is Depth Perception. http://www.depthperception.com

 

[hawksbill]

Thanks for the links purduepete.

I checked out the photos and I'm getting excited now.