New Port Richey area shore diving?

[parrothead600]

I will be visiting my parents in New Port Richey next month. Is there any decent shore diving to be had in the area? I'm thinking of New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, maybe even Crystal River.
Also, I would like to take my non-diving wife snorkeling with the Manatees.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[I Dive]

Hudson Grotto is right there and that's a good dive. Weeki Wachee is up the road and I think is a good one-time dive (I wouldn't even bother trying a two tanker in there) and you and your wife could make a partial day of it up there, watching the mermaid show and doing other things at the park. Bird's Underwater is who you want to do the Manatees with. Your also not too far of a drive from Devils Den and Blue Grotto, a couple of really popular springs. Enjoy your time down here!

 

[brucetrinity]

I will be visiting my parents in New Port Richey next month. Is there any decent shore diving to be had in the area? I'm thinking of New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, maybe even Crystal River.
Also, I would like to take my non-diving wife snorkeling with the Manatees.
Any info would be appreciated.

No ... I live in the NPR area. Assuming you mean Gulf shore diving, it's pretty much worthless. The bottom has no structure until you get further south. There are quite a few springs (fresh water) in the vicinity as mentioned. Also, Hospital Hole on Weekiwachee River is reachable by small boat, kayak, or canoe from a nearby park with a boat ramp. Rainbow River (further north) is a nice drift dive. There are also dive boats leaving from Tarpon Springs to Clearwater that visit artificial reefs.

If you want to do Hudson Grotto I'm usually available if you need an insta-buddy.

Bruce

 

[parrothead600]

Thanks for the replys. Looks like we just may limit our diving to Epcot Dive Quest & snorkeling with Manatees.

 

[Salmonboy97]

I live in Brooksville, FL which is just north of NPR and there is nothing in the gulf for miles. The general rule of thought is 1' per mile. Ex: 20 miles out to get 20' of water.
I would recommend Blue Grotto for spring dives. Birds in Crystal River for Manatee dives. Hudson Grotto if you just have to get wet. Hospital Hole is nice, small spring in the Weeki Wachee river but you need a boat to get there.

Capt Ty is a great charter captain in Clearwater (just a little south) and if you can get on his boat you will have a nice dive.