The sugar barge "Regina" is not the dive site it once was. It has become mostly covered over with sand, leaving a chunk of steel about the size of a VW as about all above the sand that remains. There is another very nice dive site nearby called "spanish rocks". Spanish rocks is a pair of ledges that run parellel to the beach, one being about 75 yrds offshore and the other about 125 yrds offshore.
Here are directions:
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Spanish Rocks"Take I-75 south from Tampa to the Bradenton/ State road 64 exit( there is an A and B so take the A exit it will head you toward the beach). You are going to take the exit toward the right. Stay on that road for about 8 miles or so until you get to Gulf Dr.( you will hit Gulf Dr. after you cross the intercoastal waterway)You make a left on Gulf Dr. and take it down about 1/2 mile. Just before the curve to the left there is a beach access and parking. That is where you want to be. It is a small sand lot between some houses and apartments. Just pull in there and park.
Another nice beach dive site is "red rocks"an artificial reef about 200 yrds offshore of the Boca Grande range light.
Here are directions:
Red Rocks:
Red Rocks is a small (~ 1 acre in size) shore diving/kayak diving reef ~ 100 yards offshore of the Boca Grande Range light. There is an abundance of marine life on the reef including raccoon butterfly fish, filefish, juvenile gag grouper, clown triggerfish, snapper & cuda. Water depth off the reef is about 17 feet, on top of the reef about 7 -10 feet. Vizibility can be variable and is best after a long period of easterly winds. On a good viz day, you can see the reef from the beach.
Directions: (from Tampa & areas north)
- Take I-75 south to the North River Road exit. (It’s the one right after Jacaranda) Go south on North River Road.
- Cross over 41 & the Road changes its name to South River Road, follow that until you come to Pine Street.
- Turn left on Pine Street.
- Follow Pine Street to 776
- Cross over 776 & the street name will change to Placida Road.
- Follow Placida for a while until you get to the Boca Grande Causeway. turn right
- Follow the causeway to the toll booth ($4), after you get through the toll booth; just follow the road all the way to the 4 way stop sign (5th St. W.).
- Turn right at the stop sign & then left at the flag pole (Gulf Bvld.).
- Follow the road to the next stop sign (Gulf Bvld. & Sea Breeze Ct.).
Ahead of you will be a white, tower lighthouse (Boca Grande Range Light - 26 44’27.6”N, 82 15’46.8”W). That is the Sandspur Tower. Parking lot is located on your right, just north of that tower($2 to park all day). (Remember, you're heading south, if you pass the tower, you went too far.)
Amenites:
The parking area/beach access has a paved parking area, showers, restrooms and covered picnic tables. It is about100 yards from the parking area to the water. If you kayak dive a cart with beach tires is a must.
Viz at both sites depends mostly on wind speed and direction.....best viz with east winds and worst with west winds.
there are better directions to spanish rocks, as soon as i find them i'll post them...unless someone beats me to it.
