RJ Thompson - Tarpon Springs FL

Join DiveBuddy.com

Meet new scuba divers, maintain a virtual dive log, participate in our forum, share underwater photos, research dive sites and more. Members login here.

RJ Thompson is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Tarpon Springs, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 3.00 out of 5 from 1 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 61-70ft/19-21m. The average visibility is 5-10ft/2-3m.

28.18.590N 083.14.687W.

The wreck of the RJ Thompson, a USCG buoy tender that went down in a storm and sits on her roof in 75 feet. It is in the Gulf about 23 miles off of Tarpon Springs.

YouTube; youtube.com/watch?v=bjuf5N3RqA4

Dive Site Map

Click to Load Map

Comments

bvarn1 - 8/10/2014 6:31 PM

I went scuba diving here on 8/9/2014. Average viz: 5-10ft/2-3m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.
Boat Dive at Dusk
It was a two hour boat ride into the Gulf out of Tarpon Springs. I guess the wreck is about 23 miles out or so. The Gulf was flat as a board. There were six Divers and two crew on the boat. The boat was a good dive boat. The Crew was professional and helpful. In the water, there was current, the visibility was poor and the Jellyfish were everywhere. The wreck is showing signs of deterioration, there were some collapsed bulkheads. There were quite a few Goliath Groupers around the wreck and lots of Hogfish. There was plenty to see even though the visibility was poor. Due to the conditions, this dive was more of an adventure in diving than a normal sight seeing tour. I liked this dive.
Boat Dive at Night
This was a night dive. The Moon was bright and almost full after sunset. It was dark down on the wreck and visibility was almost down to three or four feet. The Goliath Grouper were hunting around the wreck and you could hear the concussive sound they use to stun fish nearby. We saw a few decorator crabs on the Barge. The current was strong and the Jellyfish were everywhere. Two of my three dive lights flooded. The ride back to Tarpon Springs was uneventful.