The Sarasota,
FL, area is home to some of the best diving in Florida.
This area provides a diversity of diving
options, including natural and artificial reefs and wrecks - making it an
ideal place to for underwater photography, treasure hunting, shell collecting
and fishing - not to mention just relaxing. From the beautiful small purple
and yellow nudibrach's and anemones to an abundance of huge jewfish,
barracuda, and grouper, there are an astounding number of things to see.
One sees more fish in the Gulf of Mexico than
most other diving locations. Depths range from very shallow near the shore and
drop at an average of 10 feet per mile as you head into the Gulf. There are
many excellent dive sites at depths of 30 - 50 feet. Visibility is typically
20-50 feet, but can extend up to over 100 feet.
Current weather conditions including water
temperature and wave height are available at Venice
Pier and offshore
from a weather buoy. Please note these weather stations are often out of
service. Please keep trying.
photo
by Al Franklin © FDU, Inc., 1993
Please chose from the following options for
more detailed information:
Important
Emergency Contacts
in
the Sarasota Area
Florida Marine Patrol (800-342-5367)
Sarasota County Sheriff (941-951-5800 )
Sarasota City Police (941-366-8000 )
US Coast Guard ( 941-896-6187 )
DAN -
Divers Alert Network ( 919-684-8111 - diving emergency hotline number )
photo
by Al Franklin ©, FDU, Inc., 1995
The Gulf's natural dive sites comprise
limestone ledges, hard bottoms and wrecks. Limestone ledges are also
frequented by divers who find a large variety of fish including amberjack,
grouper, hogfish and jewfish. The ledges are also covered with pink, orange
and yellow sponges, equally colorful corals, and a variety of beautiful algae.
Beautiful tropical fish abound. On the hard bottoms it is common to find large
lobster. Beautiful shells such as Cowries and Helmet Shells are often found on
Gulf Dives. Turtles are also commonly seen near the ledges. Large lobsters are
frequently taken.
8
pound lobster taken by Mary Finnegan on the Giant Stride
photo
by Al Franklin © FDU, Inc., 1996
Numerous artificial reefs, formed from concrete culverts and rubble, barges
and boxcars quickly attract much marine life and before long become adorned
with a variety of colorful sponges and corals.. Florida has constructed these
reefs to increase and enhance recreational scuba diving and fishing areas as
well as to create and restore marine mammal habitat lost to development.
The map shows the locations
of Sarasota' artificial reefs. For more information. please contact
Sarasota County's Coastal Zone Development Division at (941) 378-6113.
There are several Vietnam Era US Army Tanks on
two of the artificial reefs. Makes for an interesting photo background. Large
fish are already making the tanks home.
Venice, Florida, ( located just South of
Sarasota ) beaches and shallow water offer some of the best fossil hunting
anywhere. Prehistoric shark teeth to 6 inches can be found there. Shark
Tooth collecting charters are available every day.
Current
weather conditions at the Venice Pier are available.
One of the most exciting dives in the Sarasota
area is the wreck of the Bay Ronto.
A full description of what is considered by many to be the best wreck dive in
Florida is available. There are several other very interesting wrecks in the
Sarasota area. Florida Down Under offers dive
charters to the wrecks in the area.
