Snorkeling Point-of-Rocks, Siesta Key, Florida

I've snorkeled Point-of-Rocks quite a few times. It's located at the south end of Crescent Beach on Siesta Key, just a short distance south of Old Stickney Point Road. There is no provision for parking at all in the Point-of-Rocks neighborhood, so you'll have to park at the public access a few hundred yards north of Point-of-Rocks and walk south to the snorkeling spot.

This location is all about flat, smooth limestone rocks that form an outcrop in the shallow water off the beach. Water depths over the rocks are from 0 to 6 feet. Visibility is often an issue because this beach dive is easily ruined by wave action that stirs up the sandy bottom. However, because the water is shallow you are OK as long as visibility is at least 5 feet or so. Early mornings before the sea breeze kicks in will usually produce the clearest water.

If the gulf coast is experiencing westerly wind flow patterns the water can stay churned up for several weeks. Heavy rains and fertilizer runoff from lawns and golf courses can aggravate algae blooms during the warmer months that can wreak havoc on visibility.

What you'll see here varies. Small to medium sized fish, occasionally large snook, crabs and various crustaceans, red boring sponge (looks like red coral on the rocks), various types of algae growing on the rocks, and shells of all kinds. You'll also see dolphins, and during the summer months you'll see manatees.