Siesta Key

[Steven Pro]

We are going to be headed down to Siesta Key pretty soon and I was hoping to do a little snorkeling. Is there anywhere any of you could recommend?

 

[myakkareef]

For Snorkeling from the beach I would suggest Point of Rocks. This will be Just South of Crescent Beach, which is SOuth of Siesta Beach. There are 2 bridges onto Siesta, if you take the South Bridge (Stickney Point bridge). You will turn left then almost a immediate right into a small beach access for Crescent Beach. You can always ask someone and they will know both Crescent Beach and Point of Rocks. Water is clear now but that is because there has not beenany rain for run-off. Sometimes the Gulf close to the beaches the water is prety cloudy, but it is always worth a try. Surprisingly you will se quite a few tropicals if the water is clear. There are no reefs or anything close in in shallow water though besides this area. Good Luck, bring your sun screen and enjoy...

 

[Steven Pro]

I think I would be more interested in seagrass beds than reefs, but either way seeing some fish would be great. Thanks for the information!

 

[Agu]

The club went seining off a public beach just past Mote Marine Aquarium. It's on Sarasota bay and might be an interesting place to try. IME the water in the bays tends to have better visibility and greater diversity than the Gulf.

And if the weather doesn't cooperate you can just go to the aquarium .

 

[myakkareef]

AGU, I thought about that, I wonder how many of the critters we caught seining you would actually see ou there. I bet they camoflage themselves very well. Would be cool to try some time.

 

[myakkareef]

Steven, Point of Rocks is not really a reef. It is a outcropping of rocks that runs from the shore down inot the gulf. As long as the water is clear and calm this is a really nice spot.