Post by DiveLocker on Jan 19, 2008 12:03:53 GMT -5
Well, I have had a lot of questions lately about the Jetties in St. Andrews, so I thought while it is raining, I would sit down and bang out an orientation for everyone interested to read.
The jetties run mostly North to South, North being the shallow end and South being a bit deeper.
There is a section on the Northern inshore side commonly referred to as the Kiddie Pool for it's shallow depths, about 10 feet at the deepest. There are two access points to dive the Jetties on the North end. The first is all the way North, around the tip of the rocks. The water right on the sand at this end is between 25' and 30' deep. The second entry point is about half way into the kiddie pool. There is a small gap in the rocks that is just deep enough to swim through. It is only about a 10' wide section, but can be seen from shore. The depth of the sand at this point is 45'. Once on the sand, you can turn left or right to follow the rocks. If you turn left, you can loop to the north end of the jetties and back around into the kiddie pool. Usually this is a very easy, shallow dive. If you turn right, You will find depths of around 65 feet, but remember you have to save enough air to get back to the cut at 45' or swim all the way around the South end of the jetties.
On the Gulf side, there is a very easy dive profile with a max depth of about 40'. There are several large shell beds on this side of the rocks. This is a pretty, shallow dive and I have spent untold hours just hanging out down there, but it is a long walk.
If you are interested in a more advanced dive, enter the water on an incoming high tide, close to peak high tide for the best visibility. Get in on the South end of the jetties and swim around the point. Let the current help carry you in toward the bay. Stay along the rocks as they make a great tool for natural navigation. When you reach a depth of 45', you have made it to your exit point. If you swim up the rocks at this point, you will exit close to the gap in the rocks into the kiddie pool. My personal suggestion is if you are thinking about doing this dive, realize that the currents out there can be a bit like a washing machine so be careful. The dive time on this trip is also quite long, so please pay attention to your computer or tables and watch your air closely. If you have any questions about diving this area, please give us a call here at the dive locker.
The jetties run mostly North to South, North being the shallow end and South being a bit deeper.
There is a section on the Northern inshore side commonly referred to as the Kiddie Pool for it's shallow depths, about 10 feet at the deepest. There are two access points to dive the Jetties on the North end. The first is all the way North, around the tip of the rocks. The water right on the sand at this end is between 25' and 30' deep. The second entry point is about half way into the kiddie pool. There is a small gap in the rocks that is just deep enough to swim through. It is only about a 10' wide section, but can be seen from shore. The depth of the sand at this point is 45'. Once on the sand, you can turn left or right to follow the rocks. If you turn left, you can loop to the north end of the jetties and back around into the kiddie pool. Usually this is a very easy, shallow dive. If you turn right, You will find depths of around 65 feet, but remember you have to save enough air to get back to the cut at 45' or swim all the way around the South end of the jetties.
On the Gulf side, there is a very easy dive profile with a max depth of about 40'. There are several large shell beds on this side of the rocks. This is a pretty, shallow dive and I have spent untold hours just hanging out down there, but it is a long walk.
If you are interested in a more advanced dive, enter the water on an incoming high tide, close to peak high tide for the best visibility. Get in on the South end of the jetties and swim around the point. Let the current help carry you in toward the bay. Stay along the rocks as they make a great tool for natural navigation. When you reach a depth of 45', you have made it to your exit point. If you swim up the rocks at this point, you will exit close to the gap in the rocks into the kiddie pool. My personal suggestion is if you are thinking about doing this dive, realize that the currents out there can be a bit like a washing machine so be careful. The dive time on this trip is also quite long, so please pay attention to your computer or tables and watch your air closely. If you have any questions about diving this area, please give us a call here at the dive locker.