The Blue Heron Bridge is a great place to dive if you're a diver. The depth ranges between 2-6m (5-20ft) and is great for novice and expert divers. There is plenty of marine life to explore including schooling grunts, macro divers' dream, and many other species. Don't touch the sea life, or disturb it. If you do, you could become a target of poachers.
Diving at Blue Heron Bridge
Here are some tips for scuba divers who want to experience the thrill of scuba diving at this amazing site. There is parking under the bridge. If you're not able to secure parking, you can park along the beach. After parking, take inventory of your gear and equipment before entering the water. Leave the car there once you're done.
Macro divers' dream
The Blue Heron Bridge is a macro divers' dream dive, especially for photographers, as it offers an amazing variety of sea life at such a shallow depth. This underwater world is a photographer's dream, offering a multitude of invertebrates as well as octopus and batfish to be admired. Blue Heron Bridge diving can be done best at high tide, when the water clarity at its finest.
Poachers' target
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for seven consecutive years, has refused to make regulations that would protect the blue herons of Lake Worth Lagoon. However, supporters are bringing this issue back to the forefront. Local divers have reported hundreds of species of native fish being taken from the bridge and sold for thousands of dollars each. They now want the restrictions to be enacted by Palm Beach County officials.
Night diving
Blue Heron Bridge night diving is not for the weak-hearted, despite its popular name. The site is stunning and also easy to get to. There is parking available under the bridge. However, you need to be careful not to block the walkway. If you do this, you may be pulled out of the water. You will need to be there early to get a spot in the parking lot. Before getting gear, take stock of your equipment.
Currents
Blue Heron Bridge diving requires a dive flag. The waters around the bridge tend to be shallow and the currents can be strong. You can maximize visibility by planning your dives around low tide or high tide. Also, make sure to bring down a diver down flag when you go underwater. It is important that you don't get in the boat channels. Blue Heron Bridge diving can be quite long so make sure you use thermal protection and dive flags. It is recommended to use a single tank for diving at this site.
Buoyancy
Compared to the coral reefs in Florida, Blue Heron Bridge is a mucky wasteland, so it is essential to practice slow propulsion and proper buoyancy. It is easy to get lost in this muddy environment, so it is essential to maintain a comfortable diving experience. The surface of the water might appear calm, but the bottom can be affected by heavy rainfall or rough weather. Keeping this in mind will help you make the most of your dive.
Tidal range
Blue Heron Bridge is a unique underwater exploration opportunity in Florida. The natural bridge houses a variety of marine life including fish and invertebrates. You can also view seahorses and spotted eagle rays. You should not dive below the bridge without special training.