Florida is a popular destination for divers. Blue Heron Bridge, the state's largest artificial reef, is the best place to dive in Florida. If you really want to get the most out of your Florida diving trip, the USS Spiegel Grove or the USS Oriskany are the best places. You can also dive in the waters around the Blue Heron Bridge, one of the world's most famous bridges.
Blue Heron Bridge makes it easy to dive in Florida.
The Blue Heron Bridge is one of the most well-known scuba diving spots in Florida. You can go diving from this bridge if your boat is available or you are comfortable in a boat. The bridge has a boat ramp on the north side and a beach on the south. The southwestern side of the bridge is where you can access the water the easiest. The best parking spots are first-come first-serve. Please be aware that weekends are busy and holidays are packed.
A must-dive is the USS Spiegel Grove
The USS Spiegel Grove was a Navy supply ship during the Gulf War and sank off Key Largo, Florida. It is now an iconic Florida dive site. The ship was once more than nine thousand tonnes in weight, but it was destroyed by the sinking event and turned into an artificial reef. Fortunately, Hurricane Dennis helped to right it.
The USS Oriskany hosts the world's biggest artificial reef.
The USS Oriskany has the distinction of being the world's largest artificial coral reef and one of the most popular attractions for divers in Florida. The ship was damaged in Hurricane Gustav 2008 and is now located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The ship was salvaged and turned into a reef. The USS Oriskany measures 900 feet in length and 145 feet in width, making it the largest artificial reef for scuba divers. The reef is still relatively new and uninhabited. However, it is becoming a popular spot for scuba divers. Mola molas frequently circle the ship's bow. Octopus have been observed hiding in the crevices.
The diversity of wrecks in the area
Divers from around the world are flocking to the state to experience the varied marine life at these wrecks, including a variety of tropical species. These wrecks are frequently visited by schools and resident Jewfish called Elvis. They are also surrounded in sponges, hard coral, and soft coral. All these elements contribute to diverse marine life on these wrecks. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers this information to assist in public policy and education.
Getting to a dive site
Florida scuba diving is a world-class sport with a long history of diving and a booming tourism industry. If you are not from the state, getting to a dive site is relatively simple. A car is necessary if you are planning to visit the state. Driving is the easiest way to get to Tampa or St. Petersburg from Sarasota/Venice.