Very Local Shore Dive Spots?

[Shouden]

My buddy and I have decided to squeeze in a morning dive tomorrow, but we aren't entirely sure on the dive location. Someone suggested the skyway bridge to us. I guess there is a shore there where divers can get in the water.

We live in the Apollo Beach/Riverview area. Does anyone have any other suggestions for us?

thanks

 

[cavecliff]

Venice Beach:
From the north:

Head to Venice on I 75. Take exit 200 (SR681) and follow it to US 41 where you'll turn left (south). Take US 41 to Business US 41 (Tamiami Trail) where you turn right. After you cross the bridge, you'll turn right on Venice Ave. Turn left at the first light (Harbor - name not marked). Turn right at the 5th street (Alhambra).

Park on the street as close to the dead end as possible. Be careful not to block the driveway to the condo. Keep your dive between the culverts to the south and the three pine trees to the north.

Spanish Rocks here is the info Nice dive
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 intercostal 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. Gear up walk down the beach to the left about 50 yards enter the water swim out about 50 yards and dive max depths 22ft.

 

[hounddog]

the skyway bridge is closed to divers as i used to go over the bridge and at the rest area double back a little and the last time i was there the cop said that we were not to dive there as they were doing construction!
like cliff says venice beach would be better for you!

 

[Brewone0to]

Do a Search for "Mollasses Barge & Spanish Rocks"
These are both right down in Bradenton.

Not much left of the barge, but the ledges at
the other spot are usually pretty good.

Venice is pretty decent, but generally a low Vis dive,
Done by most in pursuit of Megledon Sharks teeth.

If you decide to go there, do a search for
"alhambra" or "Venice Beach Dive".
This will help you zero in on one of the
more popular sites for this activity.

 

[Shouden]

We ended up going to Venice Beach. A very wise choice. Viz was 8-15ft. We did not find any teeth, but it was still an awesome dive.

thanks for the recommendation.

We stopped at the skyway the night before, it smelled & looked bad. We both decided that it did not look like a good spot to dive.

 

[Missdirected]

We ended up going to Venice Beach. A very wise choice. Viz was 8-15ft. We did not find any teeth, but it was still an awesome dive.

thanks for the recommendation.

We stopped at the skyway the night before, it smelled & looked bad. We both decided that it did not look like a good spot to dive.

A friendly bit of advice - the skyway has nets and lines galore. Really, really bad. If you are a new diver, I would not chance it.

 

[Teen Diver]

Idk about the skyway bridge but, try tarpon reef its an awsome dive and theres always somthing new when you dive there

if your interested talk to my dad N@rco$i$ he knows almost everything about florida waters