Indian Shores Reef

Indian Shores Reef

Tampa Bay Dive Sites

Indian Shores Reef is part of the Pinellas Artificial Reef program and is the most southerly reef of the northern section of reefs which includes Tarpon Springs Reef, Dunedin Reef, Veterans Reef, Clearwater Reef, Rube Allyn Reef and Pinellas #2 Reef.

Tampa Bay – Reef Diving

Indian Shores Reef is easily distinguished by the two Navy Landing Ships from World War II. When developing the reef it was arranged for the U.S. Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team to fill landing craft with scrap cable and sink it with explosives.

The two landing craft are on different parts of the reef with one located near the center of the reef and the second landing at the southern end of the reef approximately 100 foot east of the south buoy. Both craft are in 45 feet of water.

As these two landing craft were establishing themselves a third wreck was added to the site in 1984. A 240 foot sand hopper barge was sunk at the reef and now lies on the seabed turtle up to the southwest of the northern end of the reef.

In addition to the wrecks the reef was developed with concrete culverts, concrete barriers, concrete bumpers, concrete rubble, fibreglass boat molds, tires and fibreglass molds. All these objects have provided a habitat full of nooks and crannies for fish and other marine life to explore.

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 Veterans Reef in Tampa Bay and you can see that there is limited visibilty on some dives so check the conditions before you dive, but the video does give 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.

There is plenty to see at the reef but I have found that you need to check sea conditions first to get the most from your dive as some days visibility can be poor.