Scuba Diving around St Petersburg, FL
St Petersburg is one of the best places in Florida when it comes to water sports of all kinds, and scuba divers will find plenty to explore in the St Pete Beach area.
General Info
Diving the St Pete reefs
Think you have to go out to the keys for great diving? No way. Pinellas County has an extensive and fascinating collection of artificial reefs, including some wonderfully atmospheric wrecks. These act as magnets for marine life of all kinds and are carefully maintained for the benefit of divers and fishing enthusiasts.
There are 42 reefs to choose from, and because they were deliberately placed with divers in mind, most lie in shallow water and offer a relatively easy, relaxed experience.
The Sheridan: wreck diving at its best
The Sheridan was once an ordinary 180ft tug boat but now it's famous as one of the best dive sites in Florida. It's a great place to spot really huge Grouper, and there is usually plenty of other wildlife to see- Barracuda, Triggerfish, Snapper, and more.
The base of the Sheridan is at about 80ft- easily accessible within normal Open Water diving standards. Some of the compartments are open, so there's something to tempt more advanced divers as well. For a full underwater outing, combine it with a visit to the USCG Blackthorn, another excellent wreck just 100 yards away.
Although the reefs make for great diving, the St Petersburg area also has something a little different to offer. Crystal River is within easy reach (about 90 minutes by car), and its springs provide freshwater diving that can only be described as unique. The perfectly clear waters are home to some of Florida's most spectacular and iconic species, like the strange and wonderful manatee.
Some of the best dive spots around this area are access-restricted and there are no motorized boats allowed, which makes them even better for diving, swimming, and snorkelling. Local operators run excellent SCUBA tours.
Travel Tip
Learning to dive in St Pete
Most local dive shops (and there are plenty of them) offer the standard Open Water SCUBA course, after which you'll be licenced to dive independently and be able to get your tanks filled at any good dive store. Some, like Jim's Dive Shop offer intensive SCUBA camp courses that pack all the necessary learning into a single week and top it off with fantastic boat diving experiences.
Of course, if you don't want to go the whole way, there is great snorkelling around this part of Florida as well. Take a look at our local snorkel guide or just hop on the ferry out to Shell Key.
Palmetto
Located on the ground floor, Palmetto Room has two queen beds, a fully equipped kitchenette, generous-sized shower and breezy patio. This room accommodates up to four people, including children.
Daybreak
The Daybreak is ground floor studio. The room sleeps 2 people with a queen bed, bathroom with large shower and vanity, and a complete kitchenette. The patio has two chairs and some shade to keep you cool as you watch the world go by.
Sea Grape
Sea Grape Suite is located on the top floor of the Inn and features a luxurious queen size bed in the bedroom plus a daybed in the living area. The large kitchen has everything you would expect to find to prepare meals. The balcony is a great place to enjoy your morning coffee. Fill the small cooler with your beach snacks and head for the sand!
Hibiscus
Hibiscus and the Palmetto share a semi-private patio overlooking the gardens. Relax and enjoy the slower pace of Pass-A-Grille at our inn on the beach. The room is cool and comfy and comes with a complete kitchen.