Blue Heron Bridge

Site Info
Type	{{{type}}}
Coordinates	"N80°02'33.1"W 26°46'58.2"N 80°02'33.1"W
Region	Southeastern US
Access	Shore
Depth range	5-25ft

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The dive site Blue Heron Bridge or Jerry Thomas Memorial Bridge is a shallow, sandy beach located below a bridge in Riviera Beach, Florida. It's part of the inlet system in that area, and is directly connected to the ocean.

Blue Heron Bridge is widely recognized as one of the best shore diving locations in the United States. Beneath the bridge's shadow, divers and snorkelers are treated to a unique and biodiverse underwater ecosystem teeming with marine life. The shallow waters, often no deeper than 20 feet, are home to a mesmerizing array of creatures including seahorses, octopuses, stingrays, and even the occasional manatee. The combination of easy accessibility, calm waters, and an abundant array of marine life makes the Blue Heron Bridge dive site a must-visit for both novice and experienced divers alike.

Details

Location

Blue Heron Bridge is situated in Riviera Beach, Florida, nestled in the Intracoastal Waterway. Positioned within the waters adjacent to Phil Foster Park, the dive site is shadowed by the eponymous Blue Heron Bridge, which connects the city of Riviera Beach to Singer Island.

Navigate to "Phil Foster Park" in your navigation software of choice to get to the site.

Depth

The beach gently slopes to a maximum depth of ~20ft at the outermost portions of the park along the snorkel trail. Under the eastern bridge the maximum depth is around 25ft.

Topography

A good map of the site may be found here:

https://www.puravidadivers.com/dive-blue-heron-bridge-phil-foster-park

Conditions

Due to its proximity to the bridge, the site is protected from strong open ocean currents, though tidal currents can be present. It's recommended to dive during slack high tide for optimal visibility and calmer waters. Visibility can vary but is generally good, especially when diving during the suggested tidal conditions. The site boasts warm waters year-round, with temperatures fluctuating between 70°F in the cooler months to around 85°F in the summer.

Facilities

1. Restrooms and Showers: Clean restrooms are available, along with outdoor showers that are useful for rinsing off after a dive. The showers are located at the beach next to the sidewalk.
2. Information Boards: These boards provide valuable information about the dive site and the marine life one can expect to encounter. Find them on the beach.

Other than that there are limited facilities relevant to divers. Expect to gear up and down at your vehicle.

Nearby dive shops

Nearby shops include:

• Force-E Scuba
• Pura Vida Divers

Access

Accessing the Blue Heron Bridge dive site is relatively straightforward for those interested in its underwater wonders. Parking is available at Phil Foster Park, which is conveniently situated adjacent to the dive site. It's advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a spot due to the site's popularity. If you are diving on a weekend expect the parking lot to be completely full within 1 hour of the park's opening.

Do

Diving BHB is heavily tide dependent. Plan your dive in the 2 hour window centered on high slack tide. Tide tables for the area can be found on NOAA's website.

A typical dive starts at the beach entry under the bridge, goes out to the snorkel trail and travels east along the park boundary. Then it goes under the eastern portion of the bridge, where there are several small wrecks hosting an abundance of marine life. Sharks can be spotted in this area.

Divers can then return to the beach directly by exiting the bridge and swimming west, or they can return to the beach entry area by following the snorkel trail or coming in a bit closer to shore and exploring the flat, sandy area between the swimmer's zone and the snorkel trail.

See

Life

1. Seahorses: One of the site's star attractions, divers can often spot both lined and short-snouted seahorses clinging to submerged vegetation and structures.
2. Octopuses: These intelligent and elusive creatures, particularly the common octopus and the more rare Atlantic longarm octopus, can be found hiding in crevices or actively hunting during night dives.
3. Stingrays: These graceful animals, including the southern stingray and yellow stingray, often bury themselves in the sand, revealing only their eyes.
4. Batfish: The odd-looking batfish is a delight to observe as it waddles along the seafloor using its pectoral fins.
5. Angelfish and Butterflyfish: These colorful and elegant swimmers are frequently seen flitting around the bridge's structures.
6. Nudibranchs: These small, vibrant sea slugs are a macro photographer's dream, showcasing a variety of colors and patterns.
7. Tunicates and Anemones: These invertebrates add a splash of color to the underwater landscape, often hosting small creatures within their structures.
8. Crustaceans: Blue Heron Bridge is a haven for a variety of crustaceans, from arrow crabs and spiny lobsters to banded coral shrimps. Look for these in the artifical reef structures scattered along the snorkel trail especially, as they prefer to hide in the structures.
9. Moray Eels: Divers might spot green and spotted moray eels peeking out from their hideaways or even swimming in open water.
10. Jellyfish: On occasion, divers may encounter jellyfish, such as the moon jellyfish, gracefully pulsating through the water column.
11. Manatees: These gentle giants are infrequent visitors, but divers who are lucky enough to spot them are in for a treat.
12. Pipefish and Blennies: These slender, elongated fish can be found hiding among the seagrass and hard structures, providing excellent macro photography opportunities.

Safety

Hazards

1. Boat Traffic: The area around the bridge can be busy with boat traffic. Divers and snorkelers must always display a dive flag when in the water and stay vigilant to avoid boats.
2. Currents: The site is subjected to tidal currents, which can be strong at times. It's essential to plan dives around slack tide, especially slack high tide, to avoid strong water movements.
3. Limited Visibility: The visibility can vary depending on tidal conditions. It's best to check local conditions before diving, and as mentioned, diving around slack high tide generally provides the best visibility.
4. Shallow Waters: While the shallow nature of the site makes it attractive, it also means divers must be mindful of their buoyancy to avoid disturbing marine life or stirring up the sandy bottom, which can reduce visibility.
5. Marine Life: Though many of the creatures at the site are harmless, there are some that divers should be cautious of, such as stingrays buried in the sand or the occasional jellyfish.
6. Overhead Environment: The pilings and structures of the bridge create an overhead environment in certain areas. Divers should be cautious and avoid getting trapped or disoriented.
7. Night Diving: While night diving can be a magical experience here, it also presents its own set of challenges, such as reduced visibility and orientation. Divers should always carry reliable dive lights and be familiar with night diving protocols.

Equipment

All divers are required to tow a dive flag. This is because there is significant boat traffic just outside the park waters. Though forbidden, boats sometimes enter the park waters.

Carrying a dive flag is not enforced but is still highly advisable.

References

https://www.tdisdi.com/sdi-diver-news/diving-the-blue-heron-bridge/

https://www.puravidadivers.com/dive-blue-heron-bridge-phil-foster-park