Florida's West Coast

[bill]

Does anyone have any experience diving around Tampa-St Pete-Clearwater area? We visit Tarpon Springs north of there and I was wondering if it was worth looking into.

[Larry]

Bill,
I know you posed about where to dive in the Tampa/St Pete area a while back, and here's a limited response. If you visit often then I would suggest "Ned Deloach's Diving Guide to Underwater Florida". It has more info than I can supply. I have never done any boat dives in the Gulf so I am useless there. My main dive place near by is Venice Beach. I have done several dives in Crystal River, and Ginnie Springs, but that has been several years back. Crystal river is about an hour north of St Pete on US 19. You will have to rent a boat. Visibility at Crystal river is hit and miss. The main dive site there is Kings Spring. Three Sisters Spring is crystal clear but very shallow except for two small circular areas that might go to 12-15 feet.Of course you diving in Texas murk would probably be alright at Kings spring. I too, was certified in Texas, while I was stationed there. Did my certification dives in Lake Hawkins. I have snorkel there with the Manatees about 30 times. It's a shame what the dive operators have done there with their Manatee tours. That's another story, and a sad one at that.
Ginnie springs is nice and the water is crystal clear in the springs. It is a kinda small area in Ginnie Spring and has a small sealed off cavern you can go into. Makes a nice first dive, but kind of boring. For a second dive go in at devils ear spring (?) or somewhere on that side, and then go into the river. The river will carry you down to the canal that leads to Ginnie Spring, where you get out. Very nice drift dive, and you will see all kinds of fish and turtles.
Venice Beach and Casperson Beach are about 1 hour south of St Pete and where I go to hunt for prehistoric shark teeth. I like looking for things so I love these 2 places. The visibility ranges from 0-20 feet, and they are easy beach dives. Max depth will probably be 25 feet if that. I would say the average visibility is 6 to 8 feet. Last spring and summer brought a lot of 10-15 feet though, along with huge schools of fish. It was the best diving I have had in 22 years there.
Like I said earlier though, I strongly suggest Ned Deloaches book.