[DOlLFACEx]

i have been looking at the Tampa area and Naples area, and i like the Naples area a lot, but i am going to college for marine biology and the schools are to far to commute to, so i was thinking about moving to Tampa instead or in the area, because of the University of Tampa. My only problem is the ocean water safe, or is that where the sharks like to play? i am afraid of shark attacks, cause i heard that tampa bay is where the sharks are around most in florida. is there an area near Tampa that i could drive to every day to go to school but also be able to go to the ocean and scuba dive, this is why i want to know if this is where majority of the sharks come to. please help me and my fiance are trying to decide where to move.

[annerk]

The Tampa Bay is one of the more shark infested areas in the world.

The area off of Indian River County is considered some of the best scuba diving due to the number of shipwrecks in the area over the last four centuries.

[FLBob]

In Venice we have divers walk out from the beach. On a given day you'll see 10 to 20 dive flags just off shore. There are a few small coral out croppings and divers also search for fossilized sharks teeth.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by DOlLFACEx

i have been looking at the Tampa area and Naples area, and i like the Naples area a lot, but i am going to college for marine biology and the schools are to far to commute to, so i was thinking about moving to Tampa instead or in the area, because of the University of Tampa. My only problem is the ocean water safe, or is that where the sharks like to play? i am afraid of shark attacks, cause i heard that tampa bay is where the sharks are around most in florida. is there an area near Tampa that i could drive to every day to go to school but also be able to go to the ocean and scuba dive, this is why i want to know if this is where majority of the sharks come to. please help me and my fiance are trying to decide where to move.

Mote Marine in Sarasota is one of the best marine study centers in the state. Nearby Bradenton Beach has a pretty cool place to to go diving-the old Regina Sugar Barge off Bradenton Beach. As far as the issue with sharks goes, there all up and down the coasts of Florida. I believe sharks are more prevalent on the east coast than west but if you're swimming in the ocean/gulf there's gonna be sharks there.

Out of the 30-40 people attacked by sharks each year about 10% are divers. Heres' some more info about it: Shark attacks

[xlabel]

I'd live in Tampa if I were you, not only can you go dive in the gulf but you'd be a lot closer to some of the best spring-fed rivers in the state, Rainbow River, Ginnie Springs, Weeki Wachee River are great places to dive.

Pinellas County has artificial reefs and they will provide you with map with coordinates and people dive there also. I've lived in FL all my life and although I've seen plenty of sharks I've never heard of any attacks in the bay area.