Diving near Bradington Fl

[WEPIV]

Bradenton is my home town and although I have not lived there full time since the 1970s I still have family there and visit fairly frequently.
Other posts covered much of what the area has to offer but I thought I would add some info as well.
The Regina wreck, mentioned above as the sugar barge, is a short swim off the Bradenton Beach shore across the street from Pete and Loraine's Sea Trek dive shop. They worked hard about six years ago to get that wreck recognized as part of Florida's Underwater Archaeological Preserves. It's a fun dive now and then but use a flag and don't expect good vis.
Another dive shop in Bradenton on Manatee Avenue is Scuba Quest, and the guy there (John Falcone) is a tech diver. They either run trips or know of trips that go out south of Bradenton to wrecks like the Bayronto off Sarasota. (In addition to other wrecks off St. Pete to the north.)
There are also fun places to dive or snorkel like Egmont Key. Hudson Grotto is probably closest for fresh water diving but you will only be a little more than three hours from cave country.

[huvr]

Bradenton was my home for 5 years too, DP69! Maybe I can stay in your spare room and show you around town a bit.
P.S. I'll bring my compressor!

[divindoc]

To be honest, I don't dive much in that area these days. My focus is "Cave Country" and I have all my FL gear in a storage locker up there. Perhaps I may restart some diving there as my dad's SO just recently got her OW. In fact, I think she probably did that charter dive off Venice Beach for her OW Quals.

But thanks anyway. Good to keep in mind.

Yep, me too, OW just doesn't have the appeal that the caves do, but FWSS is a good shop to get a cave fill before you head up north, and if you like looking for fossils it can't be beat.