Bathtub Reef at Bathtub Beach, Hutchinson Island

Bathtub Reef, Hutchinson Island
Bathtub Beach
1585 SE MacArthur Blvd
Stuart, FL 34996

One of the best snorkeling reefs the entire family can enjoy is Bathtub reef on Hutchinson Island. Just offshore from Bathtub Beach, you can scuba dive and snorkel this exceptional worm reef created by sabellariid worms that cement together sand and bits of shell to form porous rocks and ledges. Because of all the nooks and crannies made by the worms, the reef makes an ideal home to a variety of fish and sea creatures and an ideal place for the whole family to snorkel. The shallow waters that surround Bathtub Reef is protected by the reef itself which means you won't have to worry too much about crashing waves or strong currents. At low tide, the bathtub drains and you'll find you can walk right out to the reef from the beach as the water level isn't more than waist high, making it perfect for the little ones to experience ocean life in it's natural habitat. Bring the family, spend the day at Bathtub Beach and snorkel Bathtub Reef.

Blowing Rocks Preserve, Jupiter Island
574 South Beach Road
Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Blowing Rocks Preserve is an environmental preserve on Jupiter Island in Hobe Sound, Florida and boasts the largest Anastasia limestone rock reef on the state's east coast. With the stunning reef lining the shores and into the water, at high tide with large waves, it's an great place to bring a camera for some dramatic pictures. However, on calm days, Blowing Rocks becomes an excellent snorkeling and diving location.

Coral Cove Park, Jupiter
1600 Beach Road,
Tequesta, Florida 33469

Ideal for snorkeling and diving, Coral Cove Park on Jupiter Island is about a half mile north of the Jupiter Inlet and is home to extensive natural limestone rock formations right at the beach. These rock formations attract an abundance of sea life.  The park is a favorite for local photographers so be sure to bring your camera. The park has 600 feet of lifeguard-watched beach, picnic areas, playgrounds and free parking.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Drive
Fort Pierce, Florida 34949
Southeast Region
(772) 468-3985

Clear waters and close to shore (only 100 yards from the beach), Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is a popular snorkeling diving reef in the Atlantic Ocean that is teaming with beautiful tropical sea life. The inlet, connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, serves as a spawning and nursery ground for many different species of oceanic fish. Chances are you'll spot snook, tarpon, sea turtles, resident reef fish, shark and rays. Plan a day at the beach and bring your snorkeling gear or scuba diving equipment and enjoy Fort Pier Inlet State Park.

Georges Valentine Shipwreck, House of Refuge, Hutchinson Island, Stuart Florida
Resting in shallow waters only a 100 yards from shore, Georges Valentine Shipwreck is a pleasure to dive or snorkel. Visitors can park at the House of Refuge and walk to the entry point, a rocky outcropping 100 yards south. In 2003, Georges Valentine was nominated to become Florida’s eleventh Underwater Archaeological Preserve and in 2006 she was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the Georges Valentine shipwreck. Take a tour of the House of Refuge Museum before you dive.

The wreck of Georges Valentine is situated approximately l00 yards south of the south wall of Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge and 100 yards directly offshore in Stuart, Florida. Coordinates for the wreckage closest to the beach (including the boiler, a 57' section of deck with 8' of broken mast, and a 12' by 12' section of tile floor), are 27° 11.93 ' N and 80° 09.88' W. A 65' section of iron hull, 16' in height, is approximately 80 yards due east of the boiler section at 21° 11.93' N and 80° 09.83' W. Also in this area are two broken sections of steel mast, one 10' in length and the other, on the north side of the hull, 19' in length.

Paddle Wheeler Wreck
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Dr
North Hutchinson Island
Fort Pierce, FL 34949

The boiler and wood ribs are all that remain of The Paddle Wheeler Wreck, a 19th century Civil War era paddle wheel steamship is located just 100 yards offshore of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park Beach in roughly 15-20 feet deep water. On calm, clear days you can easily her remains from shore. A great place to snorkel and dive, this wreck is easily accessible from the beach.

The St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
Port Salerno
On the Intracoastal Waterway
2/3 of a mile south of the St. Lucie inlet.

Accessible by boat or kayak, the St Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is great for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's an  Anastasia rock reef located just offshore of the park extending over 4 miles along the coast and up to 1 mile offshore. Depths range from 5-35 ft. While diving or snorkeling, be sure to check out the northern part of the coral reef where several species of corals found in South Florida can be found on this one reef. You'll see a variety of sea life just a few hundred feet from shore including sea turtles!

Urca De Lima Shipwreck
Pepper Beach Park
3302 North SR A1A
Fort Pierce, Hutchinson Island, Florida 34949

The Urca De Lima, a wooden-hulled sailing ship part of a Spanish fleet sunk by a hurricane off the east coast of Florida in 1715, rests in about 10-15 feet of water less than 200 yards off the beach. The Urca De Lima was rediscovered in 1928 and in the 1980s, the Urca De Lima shipwreck was opened to the public when the shipwreck became Florida's first Underwater Archeological Preserve. Popular among scuba divers and snorkeling because of the easy access via beautiful Pepper Beach Park in Fort Pierce, Florida.

To reach the wreck site, walk north along the beach about 1,000 yards from the park boundary. The wreck site lies on the first offshore reef in 10-15 feet of water, approximately 200 yards from shore at latitude 27° 50.544' N, 80° 29.931' W. A laminated underwater Urca De Lima Shipwreck guide is available from local dive shops to orient divers on a self-guided tour of the preserve.

Deep Six Watersports
2525 NW Federal Highway
Stuart FL 34994
Phone: 772-288-3999 or 772-692-2747
website: www.deepsixintl.com

Deep Six offers a variety of dive trips including night diving, shallow reef dives, deep reef diving, shipwreck diving and spearfishing and lobster diving. Visit Deep Six to see a list of their diving events.

Dive Odyssea
621 N 2nd St.,
Fort Pierce 772-460-1771
website: www.diveodyssea.com

Dive Odyssea is a full service dive shop at the Fort Pierce Inlet. Your guide to the best hunting grounds in south Florida, Spearfish, Hunt Lobster, or come see the Wrecks with us. Sightseeing also available.

Kirk's Dive & Surf
1991 NE Jensen Beach Blvd
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Phone: 772-261-8491
website: www.kirksjensenbeach.com

Kirks Dive and Surf offer diving excursions from day trips to local dive sites to Dive Travel trips. You'll want to check out their website where you'll find a calendar of the their scheduled dives.

Stuart Scuba
3317 SE Federal Hwy
Stuart, FL 34997
Phone: 772-600-8288
website: www.stuartscuba.com

Stuart Scuba offers trips tailored for all skill levels. Scuba Diving excursions include reef diving, wreck diving, springs and cave diving, spearfishing trips and drift diving trips, with several trips a week available and private bookings available any time upon request. Stuart Scuba Dive Calendar

Treasure Coast Dive Charters
8466 US Highway 1
Vero Beach FL 32967
772-571-5987
321-210-3774
website: www.treasurecoastcharters.com  

Treasure Coast Dive Charters offers a variety of scuba diving day trips for all levels of divers and snorkeling adventures, including shallow water dives, offshore reef dives, artificial reef dives, wreck dives, and spear fishing trips. If you Don't have gear, no worries! Treasure Coast Dive Charters does rentals.