Where to dive?

[dep1466]

I'm looking for someplace to dive either Thur or Fri. I live in the Pt. Charlotte area and normally head up to venice. However from what I hear and according to Mote Marines site Red Tide is pretty bad there now. On top of that that tropical depression isnt helping any. Any suggestions on a good shore dive thats not going to take all day to get to. Was planning on making a day trip out of it, but the closer the better.

 

[CBulla]

If you want to head south, there is one quiet place thats nice to explore down in Bonita. Its Wiggins Pass State Park, sister park to Lovers Key just up the shoreline, and there is a reef there if you know where to go. I am looking to do a 1 tank dive on it just to see it but am sort of shy of when I dive there due to the amount of boat traffic that runs the swim bouys.

Conversely, on Sunday I was free diving there and found myself greeted by some curious dolphin who came to visit while I was collecting some dead sand dollars... so its not all that scarey.