Shore Diving: Indian Rocks Beach

[kelemvor]

My friends and I are tentatively planning a shore dive on the evening (maybe 6 or 8pm) of 5/31 at Indian Rocks Beach. I've been told by a few LDS's that it's divable, but "not that great".

Does anyone have any info to share, or want to meet up with us if we go? Right now I think I have four divers interested (including myself). One is PADI divemaster. Another has an old school NSDS card, took some years off diving and did a refresher and nitrox cert with NAUI. The third got certified with me last fall - she has about 15 logged dives. I've got 31 logged dives since cert last fall - NAUI OW+nitrox. Got a maybe from a fifth diver, but not sure of his experience.


From what I gather, the dive will be 10-20' out past the markers. Might have some boat traffic and/or fishing line to deal with at the site. There will likely be blacktips, spinners, or bulls to see; but I don't believe there's a reef there.

Weather forecast for that day is currently mostly sunny, high of 89f, 0% chance of rain, 13mph winds to the east. The wind is a little concerning; might have to do it another time if the forecast is accurate. I'm still doing the research either way.


I've seen other posts about this dive site on scubaboard:
Here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-tampa-bay-area/257375-indian-rocks-beach-dive.html (2008)
Here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-tampa-bay-area/332652-indian-rocks-beach.html (2010)

On another forum:
Here: http://www.***********************/vb3/showthread.php?t=631

Sounds like there's a 300' swim to the boueys, and vis is not going to be good. That wind might be a bit much too. Any input is appreciated! I'm thinking I might drive by this afternoon to scope the topside myself and get an idea what I'm dealing with. Maybe bring a snorkel.

Edit: I guess offsite links don't work here. Try searching google for "Indian Rocks Beach Shore Dive".

 

[SavageRon]

I don't know if my girl and I can make it that night, but we're definitely interested in a dive report.

 

[kelemvor]

I went and checked out the site. Looks doable to me. Night diving is out because lights are banned due to sea turtle nesting during the summer.

Wind was west at 11mph when I was there so I snapped a couple shots of the waves. Plenty of parking, in fact it looks like there's public access and parking at nearly every street. There's a nice space for staging, with a bench and shower. The walk down to the water won't be too bad at all.

Shower and staging:


Waves:


More waves. You can see the buoy in this shot, I understand you need to get out past that to get any depth at all:


Da rules:


Ample free parking:

 

[John from the burg]

I would at least try to hit a reef module dude, lot better chance of seeing something.

Also dont let anyone bring a speargun, speargun + short vis + may = all the ingredients for a bad bull shark encounter.

Good luck.