Snorkeling at Phil Foster Park (FREE)

Wednesday, May 6th at 10:00 AM

Event Leader: Ben Smith 561-425-3077 or bbsdob525@aol.com

Join the Gators for a fun snorkeling adventure at Phil Foster Park on the southeast side of the Blue Heron Bridge at 900 East Blue Heron Blvd.  Take Blue Heron Boulevard to the east end of the bridge; there’s a traffic light. Turn north (left) into the parking area and go to the west end. We’ll gather under the bridge. Look for the pirate flag. Bring lunch to picnic afterwards, and the usual stuff: chair, mask, snorkel, fins, snorkel vest and dive flag if you have them, sunblock and water. Local scuba shops are nearby if you need equipment: Force E dive shop is on Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach Scuba Shop - Force-E Scuba Centers are nearby. Bring your good humor too.

This is some of the best snorkeling in the area. High tide is at noon, so come a bit earlier to set up and relax in the sun or shade under the bridge. Look for a pirate flag as we are not allowed to have other signs.  Snorkel the trail along the park island where there are concrete shark statutes or under the bridge.  Bring your own chairs and tables to hang out under the bridge.  Meet at 10:30 AM to set up.  We will snorkel between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.     

The water may be a little cool so you may want to plan on wearing something to minimize the water temperature effects on your body. You only have about an hour to snorkel under the bridge before the tide starts going out but the snorkel trail off the beach should still be okay. Check with the lifeguards. There is a kiosk with the map of the snorkel trail, and it is posted below (there is also a link).

This is a great spot to hang out in the shade of the bridge and enjoy the scenery of the water and Peanut island. Bring a picnic lunch if you want..but no alcohol allowed in this area. There are restrooms and showers nearby. We will have someone watch your car keys/stuff while you are in the water.

You cannot snorkel under the bridge proper without a dive flag, but some of us will have them. Hope you can make it. - Ben

Contact Ben Smith for more information at 561-425-3077 or bbsdob525@aol.com. 

SWIMMING
The park offers a unique, year-round opportunity for swimming in the Intracoastal Waterway. A guarded swimming area provides easy water access for people of all ages. The adjacent beach lies in the shadow of the Blue Heron Boulevard bridge and offers the perfect opportunity to cool off from the hot sun! Swimming is prohibited outside the designated swimming area including from all docks, piers, bulkheads and boat ramps.

UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL
The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!

Snorkeling at Phil Foster Park.pdf. 

Download/print Snorkel Trail Map and Snorkel Safely Tips:

https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/PDF/philfostersnorkeltrail.pdf

SNORKEL SAFELY

Do Your Homework

• Learn about fish, coral reefs and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem.  Knowing what you're looking at will make your snorkeling more enjoyable.

Ask Questions

• If unfamiliar with the area, ask a lifeguard or a local patron about the diving conditions.  

Be Aware of Tides

• The best time to snorkel is within 2 hours before and up to the slack tide. You will need a diver’s flag which can be purchased at any dive shop. The flag is red with a white stripe from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.  Attach the flag to a float.

Sunscreen Safety

• Put sunscreen on at least ½ hour before entering the water so it soaks into your skin instead of being washed away by the water and adhering to sea life.

Choose a Buddy

• Always snorkel with a buddy! It is more fun to share awesome experiences and if something unpredictable happens, you have somebody to help you.

Know Your Limitations

• Know your personal swimming limitations and snorkeling abilities and remain alert to them.

Stay in Control

• Be in control of your fins at all times in order to avoid kicking the coral or kicking up sand and sediment. Underwater, a frog kick is preferable to a flutter kick for this purpose.

Observe

• Observe animals exhibiting their natural behaviors rather than stimulating them to entertain yourself.

Do Not Touch

• Take photos, but don’t touch anything and you are strongly discouraged from taking marine life. Photos are a great way to capture the underwater world without leaving your mark and doing harm to the environment.

Do Not Feed Fish

Do Not Step

• Do not step on coral or any hard bottom surfaces.
• Always make sure that if you step down, you are stepping on sand.
• Be aware of the sand as well. Lots of little creatures use the sandy bottom as their home.

Spear Guns Are Not Permitted

Control Your Buoyancy

• If SCUBA diving, practice proper weight and buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the bottom.