The Blackthorn Blue Grotto Devil’s Den Ginnie Springs Gunsmoke Paradise Springs Rube Allyn Reef Sheridan Tug Orange

SCUBA DIVING Sarasota and Florida’s West Coast

Offers many options for diving.

The west coastline of Florida stretches from Bronson, the Crystal River and Gainsville in the north, to Clearwater and St. Petersburg mid-state, and Sarasota, and Venice at the southern tip.

WEST FLORIDA SCUBA DIVING covers some incredibly varied diving. Bronson is world famous for its spring, cave and cavern diving. Technical divers come from all over the world to test their skills here and much of this diving is advanced. Meanwhile, the Crystal River offers incredible opportunities to snorkel, and if you’re lucky, to dive with manatee.

With no natural reefs, the Tampa Bay area is relatively flat undersea but nevertheless has one of the most extensive, well-maintained artificial reef systems in Florida. Reefs have been built of everything from bridge rubble, to shipwrecks like Blackthorn, Gunsmoke and Sheridan – and even army tanks. This region better known for spear-fishing.

If you’re into fossils, then the Venice area offers the sharp-eyed diver the chance to find prehistoric Megalodon teeth in the exposed fossil beds offshore. Many divers venture here for this reason alone. And remember, beach diving is free!

Use Scuba Schedules to reserve you trips with Gulf Coast Divers, Florida Underwater Sports, Unwind Charters.