Need ideas for shore dives please

[joshokelly]

Good morning everyone, I have a buddy that is coming down for Memorial Day weekend and we would love to spend it doing some shore diving. He and I are both certified with PADI, and have been diving in the area but always from a boat. We were looking for some fairly accessible areas to shore dive from that had artificial reefs or just anything with a decent wildlife collection. We are wanted to to a bit of lion fish hunting as well since I have had several people comment on them invading the area. Any suggestions?

 

[kelemvor]

How far are you from Venice Beach? Venice Beach, Fla. | Scuba Diving

Shore diving from the beach just north of the pier there. It's usually low vis, but can be fun to collect fossilized shark teeth there.


If you can get over to the east coast of Florida, I'd recommend Blue Heron Bridge or Lauderdale By-The-Sea.

Blue Heron Bridge is an AWESOME dive that you won't forget. Make sure to check tide info with a local shop before doing the dive. You only want to dive that location during slack tide. You don't have to be with a group or guide or anything. Just drive up to the park and go diving. This site can get pretty crowded.

Lauderdale By-The Sea Has a nice little reef about.. 100' (maybe 200') offshore. The whole town is very diver friendly. Lots of restaurants and night life on the weekends.


All three of these are shallow dives.. I don't think any will take you deeper than 20'. Your gas should last a long time on these dives.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Florida, USA East

 

[diversteve]

Some on the West Coast - can download a .pdf with 13 sites listed. All are shallow. Florida Underwater Sports

 

[JEC11718]

we need a better idea of where in Florida....did you know that there is 1197 miles of coastline....thats a lot of shore dive guessing....ok, Panama City has a great shore dive, Its in a state park, The Jetties at St. Andrews St. park. It is a great dive with tons of life...but no harvesting of fish by spearing. just hook and line. Ive seen hogfish, cowfish, grouper, barracuda, flounder, snapper, octopii, even...Sharks!! HTH jec.
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