DIVING

Fast Three-Day Weekend of Diving at Blue Heron Bridge // Riviera Beach

On August 22, 2019
By Kimberly

Want to cram in some quick fun diving in Florida? Here’s a Blue Heron Bride Dive Weekend Schedule for an easy, rewarding, fun-for-everyone dive weekend.

There are several reasons to dive at Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach. One reason is that even your non-divers can either have fun on the snorkel trail, sunbathe on the beach, or, even park a chair under the bridge – you’re at the beach, but out of the sun. There are a lot more great reasons!

Why Dive Blue Heron Bridge?

Another great reason to dive the BHB at Phil Foster Park is that it’s one of the few shore dives in Florida. That means easy, inexpensive, and no dive boat necessary.

Along the snorkel trail, there are plenty of moray eels, squid, spotted rays, starfish, crabs, lobster, and a bazillion types of tropical fish. There are even conch and sea horses!

Additionally, it’s a great shallow-depth dive if you have some new dive buddies and want to assess their skills in a low-risk environment.

Under the bridge, there are a couple boat wrecks to explore. There’s also lots of interesting debris.

The opportunities for photography are great; you’re in shallow water, and can use the natural light.

Beyond that, it’s also a great place to enjoy a really long dive on a single tank since you’re never deeper than 25 feet.

On the bridge supports, several types of sea plants are established in all sorts of colors and textures. It’s a great spot to park in one place, watch for a bit, then capture some really great photos without worrying about depth or current.

For testing out new equipment, you can’t beat the sandy bottom, easy entry, convenience of picnic tables and freshwater showers, nearby parking, and the only expense is your tank fill!

Specifics

Diver Down flags are required; so please add these to your check list! If you don’t have one, you can rent one at Force-E Scuba Center in Riviera Beach.

Blue Heron Bridge is a shore dive with depths of 5-20 ft. There is a snorkel trail to the south, and there are three wrecks under the east bridge – enough to see for multiple dives. The west bridge also offers another diving opportunity. The Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation site for Phil Foster Park has all sorts of useful information, as does Force-E.

The outskirts of the area are marked by pilings and bouys. If conditions are poor, a flag is hoisted near the lifeguard shack. You will see divers getting set up and waiting for the tide.

Diving at slack high gives the best results. Divers tend to enter the water about 45 minutes before slack high, and watch the moored boats. When they are all pointing in different directions, it’s because the tide is now slack. Unless the wind is blowing hard – then they will point into the wind.

Parking is free but fills up early when it’s time to dive, and it gets tougher to get a picnic table to stage your gear. Balloons and alcohol are not allowed, and the hours are sunrise to sunset. Lifeguards are at the lifeguard shack during the day.

The Three Day Plan
Day 0: Thursday

This is an idea for a plan for a schedule – however – every time slot depends on when the high slack occurs. All the rest are the fun details – but your entire schedule will be dictated by that high slack.

Drive to Riviera Beach Thursday after work.

After 3:00 p.m. Check in to Portside – we are in Unit 8 on the water upstairs. It’s a really chill, small, quiet and private Airbnb – discount codes below.

Our favorite Airbnb in Riviera Beach; Portside! Right on the inlet, freshwater pool, grill, and lots of waterway action!

Day 1: Friday

Head over to Force-E Scuba Center Riviera Beach visit to hear all the latest local knowledge, see the newest equipment, pick up any last-minute supplies, and take your tanks to be filled.

They are open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 155 East Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404, Phone: (561) 845-2333 , E-mail: riviera@force-e.com

Swing by Blue Heron Bridge visit and survey the dive site – plan out gear station, visual refamiliarization with mooring fields, entry and exit points, parking pattern, showers, observe tides and any changes.

Lunch somewhere by the water! Maybe subs from the two-story Publix! You park upstairs, then take the escalator down. After shopping, your cart goes up the middle section of the escalator, and you beat it to the top. They are open 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (561) 841-3058 in case you want to order ahead, or, use their app.

Where to Go When the Tide is Wrong

MacArthur Beach Nature Center and Manatee Lagoon is North on A1A at 6000 N Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free. It’s an eco-discovery center with exhibits, lectures, tours, and more.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum is South of Jupiter Inlet. It’s located at One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480 (561) 655-2833 They are closed Mondays and major holidays. They offer tours. Flash, tripod, and special occasion photography are not allowed. Exhibits vary periodically, and programs are offered.

Other ideas that don’t require much traveling: Walk the jetty to the mouth of the inlet, go for a run, go for a bike ride, hang out by the pool; whatever!

Here’s the Lake Worth Inlet Webcam – if you look at the view to the West, toward town, Portside is located on the right, right where you see the tallest palm trees down the walkway. One view is toward the East, and you can see the Easternmost Point in Florida – the bit of rock jetty.

6:00 p.m.-Dinner at Pho & Hot Pot, 826 Lake Park, FL 33404 (561) 842-3443 Tuesday-Friday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. DIVE BRIEFING – after dinner; go over plan, signals, map of site, dive profile, emergency procedures.

Day 2: Saturday

Breakfast early; we make breakfast and coffee for everyone.

Leave Portside by 6:30 a.m. get parked and carry gear by 7:00 a.m., get ready to enter water. Review signals.

DIVE 7:30 AM – 9:30 a.m.: High Tide is at 8:31 a.m., enter water at 7:30 a.m., exit at 9:30 a.m.

Hang wetsuits out to dry by the pool.

Call Rodney’s Crabs at 2755 Old Dixie Hwy Riviera Beach, FL 33404 (561) 889-3697, order takeaways for dinner. They are very popular, and run out on busy weekends.

Lunch early – Jamaican restaurant? RJ’s American Caribbean Cuisine? Place by Portside on the water? How about grilling right by the pool!!

Walk jetty, run, bike ride, hang out by pool, read, sleep, edit video, whatever.

Dinner early – Rodney’s Crabs takeaway, and possibly stage a car at the park.

Swing by ForceE Scuba for parking passes for remaining in the park beyond the usual hours. Head over to Phil Foster Park to get set up for Full Moon Night Dive!

DIVE 8:10 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. High Tide – Full Moon Night Dive: High Tide is at 9:08 p.m., enter at 8:10 p.m., Exit at 9:30. Must be out of park no later than 10:00 p.m. Lights on tanks, lights in hands, extra light, and dive flags ready!

Day 3: Sunday

Breakfast early; we’re bringing a breakfast casserole and coffee for everyone.

Leave Portside by 6:30 a.m. get parked and carry gear by 7:00 a.m., get ready to enter water. Review signals.

DIVE 8:15 AM – 9:18 AM: High Tide at 9:18 a.m., Enter water at 8:15 a.m., Exit at 10:15 a.m.

Swing by Force E to refill all tanks. They do offer a multi-fill discounted card.

Shower either at Portside in rooms before 11:00 a.m. or at their pool outdoor shower, let gear drip dry.

While gear is drying, take advantage of beautiful landscaping at Portside and get some great photos of the bananas, black bamboo, bromeliads, and other succulents.

Lunch and dive recap, then drive home. Maybe swing by Force E Scuba for one last shopping trip!

Accommodations and Other Information:

On Airbnb.com, search for “Palm Beach Inlet” then look for the Portside Unit # listings – it’s a great place to stay. Here’s up to $415 off your first booking. Using my code does not increase your cost – I might receive a small compensation for providing you with information. Or, here’s up to $55 off your first trip at Airbnb.

Here’s an idea of what Portside is like – it’s RIGHT on the inlet, with all the boat traffic parading right in front of you, pool, private parking, kitchens. Just a total 1950’s dream! Full of charm and fully equipped kitchens.

The Singer Island Area

From Portside, there are plenty of places in walking distance for dinner and drinks. However, this last time, when we were ready to leave, there was a torrential downpour…

So, if you’re thinking of staying parked and not driving anywhere… Let someone else do the driving! Today, this one from Uber: http://bit.ly/dwhUber This link currently is for $2 off first 3 rides, however, this also can change – sometimes it’s $5 off your first ride.

Don’t Forget To Bring:

Your Dive Flag with float! Amazon can have one to you tomorrow!
Your Sunscreen! Reef-safe from Stream2Sea.com ok to use my 10% off discount code “KimW”
C-Card, DAN insurance, insurance card, and a bathing costume.