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Tarpon Springs Attractions and Activities

Tarpon Springs Attractions

Tarpon Springs, Florida is a great place to just walk down the historical streets that make this town what it is. Both sides of the street are lined with small shops that offer all kinds of shells and sponges. Make sure you visit the Tarpon Springs Aquarium at feeding time, it is great little Aquarium.

Tarpon Springs Aquarium: When you are visiting the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks you are surely going to want to visit the Tarpon Springs Aquarium. You will be surprised on what this small aquarium has to offer.

You can expect to see a 120,000 gallon reef tank that is home to more than 30 species of fish, including stingray, tarpon, and a goliath grouper weighing nearly 200 lbs. Their tank is also home to a variety of sharks, such as Nurse Sharks and Bonnethead Sharks (a member of the Hammer Head family).

The aquarium is also home to eels, lobsters, octopus, seahorses, live coral, anemones, clown fish, and a large python. There are additional aquariums and a number of exhibits to explore and learn from at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium.

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks: Tarpon Springs Sponge Dock is full of history. The sponge beds were discovered in the 1880's and spawned a new industry funding the Greek community. In 1905 young sponge divers came from Dodecanese Islands of Greece. It fast became the worlds largest sponge producing community. It still has the title of being the "sponge capital of the world".

The docks are only a few blocks long but lined with shops offering everything from natural sponges harvested by local divers to swimwear and fantastic shells. We are sure that you will find that special gift for your loved ones.

Tarpon Springs Activities

For recreational activities in Tarpon Springs, you can stay in Howard Park, with picnic facilities, playgrounds and its own beach where we enjoy the beautiful Florida sunsets. Tarpon Springs is known for its historic Sponge Docks and the biggest Epiphany celebration in the country, held annually in the month of January. You can enjoy authentic Greek food and pastries in its many restaurants. We enjoy a little restaurant called Plakas where they say they are the "Greek McDonalds". They have wonderful gyros and offer appetizers of Greek specialties such as marinated octopus! The Sponge Dock area also offers shopping, day-trip cruises, casino cruises or fishing trips. You can have a tour aboard a sponge boat and watch divers as they retrieve sponges from the Gulf of Mexico. You can also visit authentic Greek clubs where men spend the afternoon telling stories and playing cards.

Shelling: About a mile out, an aquarium of treasures is at your toes, shells on the sugary white bottom, numerous reefs and giant sand bars are reflected - illuminated - through the crystal-clear waters. Sand Dollar City, a pure white sand bar, is rich with layers of circular "sea money". A ribboning reef of limestone (the pre-Ice Age shoreline) captures thousands of beach bound, large seashells - often up to 20 inches (51cm) in length and perfectly formed. Sunset-hued lion's paws and true tulips to eight-pound (4kg) queen helmets and Florida's signature shell - horse conchs - are discovered along the ledge a mere three miles (5km) out.

Diving & Snorkeling: Exceptional exploring close inshore as the 100 Fathom curve draws closer to Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island than to any other spot on the Gulf. Underwater shelling is world-renowned. Brilliant green finger and four-foot (120cm) basket sponges flourish. Also prevalent are aqua and purple sea whips, and reef clusters of white star and ivory tree coral. Deep water close inshore attracts one of the widest arrays of marine species in Florida, from vibrant yellow angelfish and playful dolphins to six-foot (180cm) manta rays and 350-pound (158kg) loggerhead sea turtles. Lucky divers are often "submerged" amidst schools of migrating mackerel, amberjack and cigar minnows.

Boating: 65-foot (20m), gaff-rigged Tops'1 schooners to simple sunfish are sailboats available for sunset wine cruises, moonlight rendezvous, snorkeling trips, barrier island hopping and dolphin or manatee expeditions.

Saltwater Fishing: Famous fruitful waters are internationally recognized. The offshore shelf dips straight from Destin's East Pass to 100-foot (30m) depths within 10 miles (16km) -- the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf.

Freshwater Fishing: Some of the best fishing is found in Blackwater, Shoal and Yellow rivers -- teeming with bass, bream and catfish. An array of stocked ponds, such as the 350-acre (140ha) Hurricane Lake in Blackwater River State Park, are filled with channel catfish, large-mouth bass, bluegill and shellcracker.

Shopping: Seaside souvenirs prevail at "character" boutiques from The Zoo and the Spunky Monkey to Banana Bart's. Several mini-centers offer collections of specialty shops, antique stores, art galleries discount malls and popular chain stores.

Tarpon Springs Festivals and Events

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