![Point-of-Rocks, Sarasota, FL (060729_por1) [240x180, 24.5K]](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/216538512_a1c04734ba_m.jpg "Point-of-Rocks, Sarasota, FL (060729_por1)")
David McRee (aka, the BeachHunter) has a new write up of the Point-of-Rocks area of Siesta Key, FL. Readers of this blog know my fascination with the place. Like most of Florida, there are a lot of tacky ads to wade through on the BeachHunter site (and an ocean of matted photos). But the information is thorough and can help you navigate through the half-flower hedges to the best public access beaches.
And why would you want to visit Point-of-Rocks? It’s the only area I know of on the SW coast of Florida that has tidepools.
- BeachHunter: Point-of-Rocks
- Previously: Cephalovlog #3: 60 Seconds of Rock-Flipping at POR.
Jason Robertshaw
I thought I’d add this for those interested in visiting the point themselves:
“Point-of-Rocks”
DIRECTIONS: I-75 to Old Exit 37 (Clark Rd., Sarasota). Head West on Clark/Stickney Point Rd all the way to the drawbridge at its end on Siesta Key (you will cross over US 41 just before reaching the drawbridge; hence, US 41 is an alternate route if coming South from the “Regina” site). Turn left just after going over the bridge and immediately start looking to your right for a narrow parking area perpendicular to the road. There will be a small Blue and White “Public Beach Access” sign at the end of the parking area just a few feet from the road. After parking, head Left (South) down the beach to the point.
DESCRIPTION/NOTES: If you do plan to dive here, wear your tank on your back and carry as little gear as possible as the hike southward to the point is quite long and hot.
Visibility here is usually just a tad better than it is at the “Regina” on Bradenton Beach, but not by much.
The best access is to swim directly West out from in front of the White 3-4 Story Condo located just near the point. Then start heading South to Southwest along the rocky bottom as soon as you reach the first large algal and rock substrates or when you are directly across from the end of the point of rocks located to your south. However, if you are using SCUBA, don’t turn southward at this point. Make your descent and continue to follow the geology of the area onward to the West.
It is also possible to park near the white condo and shuttle your gear through beach trails directly to the site, but the management of the condo probably frowns upon this and someone still has to park the vehicle back at the public access site since its really the only convenient and available parking.
Some of the best sites are in the shallower areas under the rocky, table-like ledges where Grey Snapper, Spadefish, and Sergeant Majors will be found.
In addition, the geomorphology of the area provides a unique opportunity to simply go exploring in the tide pools of its rocky intertidal zone which can be found by walking just around the sea wall at the point’s end. Many small inverts and algae can be found in this zone hiding in crevices and under rocks. Remember that if you disturb a rock in order to check for critters living beneath it, please place the rock back exactly as you found it–the animals found living on the underside of the rocks are usually there because they are vulnerable to predation when they are exposed in the open.
Dominant Inshore Species of Point-of-Rocks Beach, Sarasota, FL
List compiled by Stephen M. Barker
(Updated 29 August 1995, 3 visits)
Groups are listed in order of decreasing visibility
and relative abundance. All species within each group are listed likewise.
— Algae —
* Chlorophyta * * Green Algae *
Caulerpa racemosa Green Grape Alga
Caulerpa mexicana Flat Green Feather Alga
Caulerpa seratuloides Green Feather Alga
Caulerpa prolifera Oval-Blade Alga
Codium sp. Finger Alga
* Brown (Phaeophyta) * * Brown Algae *
Sargassum sp. Sargassum Alga
— Fish —
Lutjanus griseus Grey Snapper
Serranus subligarius Belted Sand Fish
Haemulon sp. Unidentified Grunt
Abudefduf saxatilis Sergeant Major
Emmelichthyops atlanticus Bonnetmouth
Epinephelus adscensionis Rock Hind
Diplodus holbrooki Spottail Pinfish
Kyphosus sp. Chub
Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish
Sheepshead
Haemulon plumieri White Grunt
Sparisoma radians Bucktooth Parrotfish
Diplectrum fomosum Sand Perch
Lactophrys quadricornis Scrawled Cowfish
Odontoscion dentex Reef Croaker
Batrachoides gilberti Large-eye Toadfish
Family Blennidae Unidentified Blennies
— Poriferans —
Cliona sp. Red Boring Sponge
— Arthropods —
Menippe mercenaria Stone Crab
Callinectes spp. Blue and/or Ornate Crabs
Pagurus impressus Palmate Hermit Crab
Mysidium spp. Mysid Shrimp
— Echinoderms —
Lytechinus variegatus Short-spined Urchin
Echinometra lacunter Rock-boring Urchin
Melitta quinquiesperforata Sanddollar
Ophiothrix sp. Sponge Brittle Star
— Molluscs —
Strombus alatus Florida Fighting Conch
Dinocardium robustum Giant Heart Cockle Clam
Murex pomum Apple Murex Snail
Fasciolaria sp. Tulip Snail
Crepidula sp. Slipper Limpet
— Cnidarians —
Leptogorgia sp. Colorful Sea Whip
Pterogorgia sp. Bladed Sea Whip
Aglaophenia latecarinata Feather Plume Hydroid
Stephen: Thanks for posting this. I think if we dive this again soon, we will get some one to drop us off at Beach Access #13, like you suggest. Much better than lugging it from #12. Whew!
Agreed! I was also looking to see if anyone was going to comment about some of the taxa which may have changed since this was compiled (1995!).