Clearwater Reef

Clearwater Reef

Tampa Bay Dive Sites

Clearwater Reef is well known because it is the oldest reef of the Pinellas County Reef program and it is also the most easterly and therefore closest to the shore.

Tampa Bay – Reef Diving

Clearwater Reef was constructed as part of the Pinellas County Reef program and formed using concrete culverts, concrete ovals, concrete rubble, concrete pilings concrete sinkers, concrete vaults and other materials such as steel pipe and fibreglass boat molds.

All of the materials have provided the local marine life with nooks and crannies and a fantastic habitat in which to thrive.

When the program was put together the materials used were deliberately chosen to provide different sizes and shapes to provide marine life with as many diverse habitats as possible and the planning has worked well resulting in some fantastic reefs.

At this reef, if you start your dive at the center you will also discover a sunken barge before you explore the rest of the reef. You will find jacks, groupers, snappers and grunts to name a few of the fish that frequent these reefs.

Tampa Bay Scuba Videos

One of the attractions of Tampa Bay scuba diving is that you will be able to take underwater photographs or underwater videos such as the one below.The Gulf of Mexico waters are warm and clear so you will be able to get some good shots.

This video was taken at the reef in Tampa Bay and gives you an idea of what to expect when scuba diving in Tampa Bay. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)…

Terence’s Log

When scuba diving any of the reefs around Tampa Bay care has to be taken as these reefs were designed and constructed for scuba diving and for Tampa Bay fishing which is very popular so you will see lots of fishing boats around these dive sites.

This is a well established reef with plenty of marine life.