If you're a Florida diver and you haven't been to Blue Heron Bridge yet, you're missing out on something special.

Getting There & Parking

Blue Heron Bridge is located at Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, just off Blue Heron Boulevard. The park has a decent-sized parking lot, but here's the thing: on weekends and during peak diving conditions, this place fills up fast.

Plan to arrive at least 1-2 houtr before slack tide to secure parking and get geared up without rushing.

The park does close at sunset, so keep that in mind for afternoon/evening dives. There's restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic areas.

The Dive Site Layout

The site is pretty straightforward.

I like to enter from the beach on the west side of the bridge, and most divers work their way out to the bridge pilings and explore the rubble bottom, seagrass beds, and sandy areas in between. The east side bridge is my favorite part, but is generally darker with more current.

Every little nook and cranny can hold something interesting, so slow down and really look.

Timing Is Everything

You must dive Blue Heron Bridge at slack tide, as the current here can be ripping during tidal flow. Check the tides and timings here.

You want to hit the water about 30 minutes before high or low slack. Most divers prefer high slack because the visibility tends to be better, but I've had incredible dives at low slack too.

What You'll See

This is where Blue Heron Bridge really shines. The biodiversity here is exceptional:

Macro Life: Seahorses, octopus, various species of nudibranchs, pipefish, jawfish, blennies, gobies, shrimp (including the elusive harlequin shrimp if you're lucky), crabs, flatworms—I could go on forever.

Bigger Stuff: Batfish, flounder, stingrays, juvenile drum, filefish, pufferfish, and occasionally eagle rays or manatees cruising through.

Night Diving: If you think the day diving is good, wait until you experience Blue Heron Bridge at night. The nocturnal activity is off the charts—Spanish dancers, basket stars, octopus hunting, and all sorts of critters you won't see during the day.

Safety Considerations

Current is the main safety concern here. If you miss slack tide or misjudge the timing, you can get into trouble quickly. Always dive with a buddy, and if the current picks up during your dive, end it early and surface safely.

The bridge pilings themselves aren't dangerous, but be aware of boat traffic in the area. Stay under the bridge or well clear of the channel when surfacing.

Final Thoughts

Blue Heron Bridge is one of those dive sites that never gets old. I've logged dozens of dives here, and I still see new creatures every time. It's perfect for building your observation skills, practicing buoyancy in shallow water, and experiencing incredible biodiversity without the boat ride.

If you're a Florida diver and you haven't been to Blue Heron Bridge yet, you're missing out on something special. Just remember: slack tide, move slowly, and keep your eyes open. The magic is in the details.

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