Blue Heron Bridge Diving and Tides | Force-E Scuba Centers - Force-E Scuba Centers

Blue Heron Bridge at Phil Foster Park

Scuba Diving the Blue Heron Bridge
Location: Blue Heron Bridge: Phil Foster Park, Riviera Beach
Depth Range: 5-20'
Skill Level: Open Water or Snorkeler 
Tide Table: Blue Heron Bridge 2024 High Tide Tables
Blue Heron Bridge High Tide Chart

One of the premiere shore diving locations in all of Florida, the Blue Heron Bridge. It is located on the  Intracoastal Waterway just inside of the Lake Worth Inlet often rated in the top 10 shore dives world!! This site is located inside Phil Foster Park and is just past the Force-E Riviera location. Our staff dives the bridge daily, and our Blue Heron Bridge map is printed up for you to grab for free from the store. Divers should be aware of the tide table to dive this site. The best time to dive the bridge is between an hour before and after high tide. Depths at this site range from about 5 to 20 feet, which makes it ideal for new divers, photographers, and snorkelers.

Rated the #1 Shore Dive in America

Diving the Blue Heron Bridge is a macro photographer’s dream! There are seahorses, octopus, pipefish, frogfish, batfish, nudibranchs and other rare and exotic species of sea life you won’t find out on the reef. With the intercoastal's delicate ecosystem, it is ideal for these species.

But don’t rule out the rare sightings of manatees, spotted eagle rays, manta rays, nurse sharks, green sea turtles, or Goliath Grouper that locals have encountered at the Blue Heron Bridge. These encounters are frequent, so you're pretty much guaranteed to see something amazing. It should be noted that divers and snorkelers should NOT touch or disrupt the marine life. This can be dangerous to the diver as well as the wildlife.


Diving the Blue Heron Bridge
Photographing the Blue Heron Bridge
Blue Heron Bridge Wildlife
Sea Horses at the Blue Heron Bridge
Blue Heron Bridge Octopus

Blue Heron Bridge Map:


Map of the Blue Heron Bridge Water Park

There is a designated snorkel trail, which has rock formations, reef balls, mini wrecks and statues of hammerhead sharks for all to enjoy. You might hear people say to dive the West bridge or the East bridge, both sides are excellent. The West Blue Heron Bridge is the taller bridge and there are columns that have lots of growth on them which attracts tropical fish life, especially angelfish.

Also on the west, is the Red Wall, this wall is the last column before the boat channel and it full of red and pink sponges so be on the look out for critters hiding in this area. Please do not dive in the marked boat channel areas, refer to the map for these locations. On the East Blue Heron Bridge, which heads into Singer Island, divers can enjoy under this bridge the submerged sailboat full of life and the resident school of spadefish.In the park, there are bathrooms and showers, and picnic tables and BBQ areas for public use. Parking is free, be aware of the boat trailing parking area because vehicles will be ticketed if parked in these spaces. Get there early, especially on the weekends, spaces fill up quickly. Lock up personal items and don’t leave anything outside of your vehicle. There is a fishing pier and we advise anyone wanting to fish to get a fishing permit. Please note there is no spearfishing or lobstering allowed at the bridge. We also advise no take of the creatures from this site in order to preserve this wonderful gem. To dive this site, contact Force-E Riviera Beach for more information.


Required Equipment For Diving The Blue Heron Bridge


Anyone in the water diving or snorkeling, must have a dive flag (Divers-down warning device) to mark their location. There are lifeguards on duty and they are watching the swim-only areas, but can be available if needed.


Divers-down warning device:


Must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. It must be rectangular or square red symbol with a white diagonal stripe. If rectangular, the length may not be less than the height or more than 25 percent longer than the height. Has a wire, or other stiffener, or is otherwise constructed to ensure that it remains fully unfurled and extended in the absence of a wind or breeze.


Distance for divers:


Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down warning device on all waters other than rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. A person operating a vessel on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from any divers-down warning device. When divers are out of the water, a dive flag does not have to be displayed. A Reel or rope is also required to keep the diver-down warning device on the surface at all times.


Photographing the Blue Heron Bridge
Photographing the Blue Heron Bridge
Photographing the Blue Heron Bridge
Photographing the Blue Heron Bridge

Night Diving The Blue Heron Bridge

The park is open for diving after sunrise and before sunset. Be aware of the posted times for the public to use the park, anyone in the park past 10 pm may get a ticket. Individuals cannot dive at the park at night without a permit. Force-E's FREE Blue Heron Bridge night dives are held every 2 weeks. Force-E has a permit with the park to allow divers in after posted hours, but you must sign in with Force-E before you go and get a parking permit.



Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive Schedule


All night divers must have their own dive light(s) and their dive flag must be lit with a glow stick or dive beacon.

Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive
Blue Heron Bridge Macro Photography
Sea Horses at the Blue Heron Bridge
Blue Heron Bridge Exotic Species
BHB Rules
Blue Heron Bridge Dive Guide

Blue Heron Bridge Rental Gear