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Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: Snorkel or Dive the Blue Heron Bridge
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Story Behind the Episode
A few weeks ago, I headed to the world’s largest podcasting conference in Orlando. I knew that summertime has favorable diving conditions in Florida, so I decided to take a detour and gathered up a group of friends to go diving off of West Palm in Riviera Beach. Our plan was to dive the Blue Heron bridge then go out for a night blackwater drift dive, where you drift in the middle of the night looking for amazing creatures from the deep that rise up every night as part of the diurnal vertical migration.
The usual Florida storms rained out our bridge dive. We had all dove the bridge before and loved it, but our night drift dive was still on and it was amazing!
The next day, I hopped inside to Pura Vida Divers, one of my favorite Florida dive shops and interviewed one of their top instructors on the bridge. Even though our bridge dive got rained out, I wanted to share the experience with my fellow experience seekers.
Keep on listening as Julie Blair from Pura Vida Divers shares a daytime snorkel or dive experience of the Blue Heron Bridge, one of the best shore dives in the world. It’s in a place you wouldn’t expect, as many cars drive over this bridge daily in Riviera Beach, Florida and they don’t understand what’s below them.
Where is the Blue Heron Bridge?
It’s a small bridge on Riviera Beach at Phil Foster Park, a few miles from I-95 on the east coast of Florida by West Palm Beach.
How Deep is the Dive and What Can You See?
It’s a very shallow dive at around 20 feet and the area around the bridge is full of life including:
- Frog Fish
- Star Fish
- Seahorses
- Octopus
- Plethora of Fish
- Manatees
- Sting Rays
- and more
Can You Dive the Blue Heron Bridge without a Scuba Certification?
Technically, yes. You can sign up for Discover Scuba with Pura Vida Divers and your first Scuba dives can be at the bridge. The price is (1 person $200, 2 people $179, 3 people $150 each) at the time this episode was recorded. It includes everything you would need: mask, snorkel fins, BCD reg, instructor, tanks and the whole dive itself. Discover Scuba doesn’t give you a Scuba certification but gives you the full experience.
If you do want to become a certified diver, they to have courses available at Pura Vida Divers.
Can You Hire a Dive Guide if you are a Certified Diver to Show you around the Blue Heron Bridge?
If you’re certified and have your own gear but you want to hire a guide, it’s $100 for 1-2 people. For 3-4 people it’s $200. There’s also photography dive guide who can show you where to take photos.
What Time of Year is Best to Dive or Snorkel the Blue Heron Bridge?
Summertime is nice because it’s warm, but you can dive or snorkel the Blue Heron Bridge year-round. Be prepared for the water temperatures based on the time you go.
What time of Day Can You Snorkel or Dive Blue Heron Bridge
You should head out into the water about an hour or half-hour before high tide. You do not want to dive or snorkel the bridge at low tide. Here’s a handy tide chart for the Blue Heron Bridge.
Can You Go on a Night Dive at the Blue Heron Bridge
Yes, but again, be aware of the tides. You can go on your own as a certified diver, but you need to contact Pura Vida Divers to get a permit for the bridge. You must be out of the park area by 10 pm.
What if You Have Limited Mobility, but You Can Swim and Snorkel and/or Dive?
There is a sandy area you need to get through, as it is a shore dive/swim. There are handicap parking spaces at Phil Foster Park where you park.
