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Tarpon Springs, Florida
The charming blend of Victorian homes, Floridian-style residences, and the early settlement site at Spring Bayou constitute only a part of what Tarpon Springs, Florida is all about. The entire community revolves around Dodecanese Boulevard, the main street that runs alongside the Anclote River, often referred to as the “Sponge Docks.”
Despite popular belief, the sponge industry began about a decade before the Greeks arrived in the early 1900's. It was European settlers from the impoverished Dodecanese Islands off the Turkish coast who brought the diving experience responsible for the rapid growth of the sponge trade and the expansion of commerce in Tarpon Springs. Until the middle of the last century, the sponge trade was the main source of income to the state of Florida, above even citrus and tourism. Even to this day, sponge harvesting remains a dominant force in the Tarpon Springs community.
Take a stroll (or a volta as the Greeks say) on the pedestrian walkway along the docks and chances are several boats are filled with freshly cut sponges drying in the sun. Many of the local souvenir shops sell these sponges, commonly used as decorative items or as a gentle, natural exfoliator for the skin. A bronze statue of a sponge diver dressed in a diving suit stands by docks, signifying the continuing presence of the still thriving industry.
The rest of the downtown area consists of the gift shops, antique stores, galleries and dining options at several Greek, seafood and pub style restaurants. This area is a convenient place to hop on one of the Tarpon Springs Trolleys. They operate daily except Monday at the very affordable rate of $1 per ride or $3 per day, and are a good way for families to get oriented and organized quickly. Stops on the trolley tour include the Tourism Office and City Marina, Spring Bayou Heritage Center & Craig Park, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Cultural Center. The Downtown Historic and Art District sponsors awarded winning live music, entertainment and food events throughout the year.
Most of the tour companies for boat cruises and deep sea fishing trips are consolidated around the docks, taking the emphasis off planning family excursions far in advance and leaving room for spontaneity.
Hour-long boat rides depart from the sponge docks several times per day. Available through Sunline Cruises (727/944-4468; 776 Dodecanese Boulevard, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689) and Spongeorama’s Cruises (727/943-2164; 510 Dodecanese Boulevard, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689), they are guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable naturalists, each widely educated on all aspects of the wildlife that inhabits the Anclote River area. The tours also include useful information on the small islands and mangroves protected by the Pinellas County Aquatic Reserve. It is especially apparent during breeding season that the mangroves, high treetops and even abandoned ships of this area are ideal nesting places for cormorants, osprey and eagles.
There is opportunity here to see another Florida shorebird in action, the American Oystercatcher, as they catch their meals on the river’s natural “oyster bars” with their distinct long, red beaks. One of the most exciting parts of the boat ride is a visit to the place where the Anclote River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, site of Anclote Key Light House and the perfect playground for dolphins and sea turtles.
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