Spanish Rocks

[Reef_Haven]

I'd rather be 20 minutes from home than pay $6 for toll and parking.

What parking? Have they added meters out there?

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

The public parking area at RED ROCKs (Boca Grande) charges $2 per day.

 

[ScubaSnack]

My buddy and I are thinking about diving spanish rocks next week...(never been there).....wind forecast is west wind at 7 miles an hour all next week....anyone been there under these conditions....is it worth the drive (about 1 1/2 hour drive).....And being as it seems to be the only shore dive around, Are there alot of people there on a weekday?

 

[K Mejean]

It's not too busy on weekends. The vis would be better if the wind was out of the east but it should be good. If it has been calm for a couple of days the vis should be ok.

 

[ScubaSnack]

the forecast says possible thunder storms saturday......but the winds are still only supposed to be 7 miles an hour

 

[K Mejean]

If the chances are 20% or less I would go. I don't know where you are coming from but it is a good dive. If you are wanting to do a couple of dives are is another couple of shore dives just down the road from there so you can hit a couple of spots in the same day to mak it worth the trip. There is also a dive shop down the road for air fills.

 

[ScubaSnack]

Were coming from Tarpon springs....About 15 miles north of Clearwater beach.....Map quest says it's about a 90 minute drive.......I'd be exited to hear of any shore dives worth while.....Boat dives are necessary at times but there has to be some spots that you can Dive "on a whim".......For cheap!!!!! Nothing is cheaper than pulling your truck up, gearing up and jumping in......we tried a couple spots up here....Just pathetic....LOL

 

[K Mejean]

Bradenton has the Spanish Rocks, Regina and The 3rd Pier. You know where the rocks are so when you are down there go south about 2 miles to Sea Trek Divers and they can give you all the details on the other 2 spots. One of them (Regina/Sugar Barge) is directly across the street from Sea Trek. The Sugar Barge is not a great dive. There isn't much left to it but it is worth doing once. The other one is a little further south. There is also Venice Beach for sharks teeth. It is a pretty good dive as well. It is about 45 minutes south of Bradenton but its worth the drive to do once in a while.

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

Bradenton has the Spanish Rocks, Regina and The 3rd Pier.

Don't waste your time with third pier. I dove it two weeks ago. It is better suited to snorkeling than scuba since it is in only 8 fsw. Dispite what Ned Deloach's book says there are no hard or soft corals and no sponges, nor is there any other vegitation, just bare limestone and coquina rock. There were a fair # of fish, but mostly pinfish and sheepshead.

 

[ScubaSnack]

My buddy just bought a 42" inch spear gun......Are there any fish to be had at Spanish rocks??????