easily accessible freediving near boca raton fl?

[The111]

I will be in Boca Raton this weekend. I have never been down there. I have also never dove in salt water or even snorkeled near a real coral reef, despite living on the East Coast of FL my whole life.

Are there any cool spots in or near Boca where I could snorkel/dive a 20-30ft deep reef? Definitely preferable if located in such a manner that I don't need to use a boat or something to get there. I'd prefer to drive up, park, walk down the beach, and swim out to the reef, if that's possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JMD]

I haven't been there personally, but this is one of the places we're looking at heading up too in the next couple weeks.

http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/parks/redreef.cfm

It's called Red Reef park and has coral reef just offshore. Be warned that the seas have been washed out since the storms came through and I don't think they're cleaning up any yet.

 

[The111]

Thanks for the reply.

Originally posted by JMD
Be warned that the seas have been washed out since the storms came through and I don't think they're cleaning up any yet.

What does that mean? The reefs are covered in sand or something?

Also, if you're from Ft. Lauderdale (very close to Boca, right?), feel free to tell me about any other spots near there that you know of. Especially if you know of their "post-storm" status.

 

[JMD]

We just moved here. We're going to the Los Olas beach tommorrow to see if the waves have settled down there. There's supposed to be some rocks you can snorkel on.

By washed out I mean that visisbility is near zero as the sand has been tossed into the water by wave action.

You might also look at taking a snorkel cruise out of just about anywhere I'm not sure what kind of shape the offshore reefs are in, but I suspect they'll be better than those in the surf zone.

I've been looking at the shallow reefs as my 6 year old is an avid diver but isn't real keen on making boat trips yet.

You might look at going to any of the springs as well...

 

[The111]

Yeh I live in Orlando and have dove Central FL springs for years. I just will be in Boca for a show (The Pixies!!!) Saturday night and my friend and I were just gonna get a hotel and explore Boca the next day. Figured I might try to find some diving while we are there.

Let me know what you find out tomorrow.

Also let me know if you ever need a tour of Blue Springs.

 

[JMD]

Thanks, I might take you up on that, I've done ginnie springs a few times, but haven't made it to blue springs yet.