Whitney Beach, Longboat Key?

[Trigger-F]

I was told by another diver in the past that there's a reef or dive site off of Whitney Beach/Broadway St in Longboat Key. Has anyone dived that site or have any info? Google maps shows a shady area close to the beach (looks similar to Spanish Rocks when viewed from above on Google maps). Also, the owner of Seakat divers on Bradenton Beach claimed there's a dive location at Whitney beach but has not dived there personally.

Looking for an alternative shore dive around Tampa Bay given the beach across from Spanish Rocks is being replenished with new sand (the Seakat owner said it may be 6 months before it becomes diveable again to assess the damage from all the sand that has been dumped there).

Thanks.

 

[diversteve]

Maybe you're referring to "Third Pier" off Bradenton Beach. This may help: http://032393e.netsolhost.com/WordP...1/Florida-Underwater-Sports-Dive-SIte-Map.jpg

We used to summer on Siesta Key decades ago before we relocated out west. But looking at the area on Google Earth recently I doubt it's like I remember.
We should've bought something - probably be a multi-million dollar property now.

 

[Trigger-F]

No, Third Pier would be the area by 13th street, right before the park/beach(need to check that out too). Whitney Beach is on the northern end of Longboat key(right across from the drawbridge/Long Boat pass). Google maps shows a shady area but not sure if it's a reef structure or seagrass. As I said, another diver claimed there's a reef there, so ...

I found this online, so if people snorkel there, there has to be a reef?

""We also enjoyed snorkeling at Whitney Beach on the north end of LBK, the tropical fish were beautiful and the needle fish were very inquisitive. Whitney Beach has on street parking on north shore road, the first right after crossing the Long Boat Pass Bridge.""

Good places to snorkel? - Anna Maria Island Forum - TripAdvisor

Thanks for posting that link. It's still really nice down there..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElnHjWQHNZo

This is the only YouTube video I found on Whitney beach(from the fish in the video it has to be the one we're talking about).