NOTES: South of Venice and northwest of Fort Myers, the snorkeling at Stump Pass Beach State Park is quite popular, especially at the southern end of Manasota Key.
The Stump Pass Beach State Park is located at the south end of Manasota Key.
To reach the Stump Pass Beach snorkeling from US75, use Exit #191. Follow River Road to Pine Street (it is the second light after crossing US41). Turn left on Pine Street. Take Pine Street to CR 776 (McCall Road) and turn right. Stay on McCall Road for approximately 0.5 mile. Turn left on Beach Road. Stay on Beach Road onto Manasota Key. When the road splits, keep to your left. This will become Gulf Blvd. Stay on Gulf Blvd till the road ends; you will be right in front of the park entrance.
Alternately, if coming from the south, take US75 north to Exit #170 (Kings Hwy). Exit I-75 and turn left on Kings Hwy. After you pass under I-75 turn right onto Veteran's Blvd (CR 776). Stay on Veteran's Blvd approx 16 miles through Murdock, El Jobean and into Englewood (It becomes El Jobean Road when it crosses US 41). Look for McDonald's on the left side of the road. Just past McDonald's you will turn left on Beach Road. Stay on Beach Road onto Manasota Key. When the road splits, keep to your left. This will become Gulf Blvd. Stay on Gulf Blvd. till the road ends, you will be right in front of the park entrance. From the main parking area, you will need to hike down the beach or the nature trail heading south about 1.3 miles to the best snorkeling dive site.
Additional printed reading material on Stump Pass Beach snorkeling can be found in Snorkeling Florida by from Brad Bertelli.
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