tarpon springs sponge docks

A great way to spend a day. Lots of souvenir and clothing shops. Good restaurants are abundant. Some historical spots showcase the fishing and sponge-diving part of Tarpon Springs past. Loads of Parking lots are available for a small fee for all day parking. Being local allows me to visit my favorite places in Tarpon whenever I want; and usually visit it at least once a month.

The shopping is mostly cheap shells, tee shirts, and jewelry. The food was good. There are boating tours available in the gulf as well.

We again enjoyed our day at Tarpon Springs. Soaps, sponges, and lots of Greek food. We enjoyed it and you will too.

Wasn't sure what to expect- but this wasn't really it. The Greek connection was certainly interesting, and there was a treasure trove of Greek restaurants and twists in the sponge dock area. Lots of shopping for the souvenir and t-shirt crowd. A good day trip, but it won't be part of our "visiting guest" itinerary. Easy to get around, family friendly, and available parking. Some public restrooms. All in all, a little run-down. Busy, and safe.

We purchased a two hour afternoon tour of the sponge docks. It was a fun trip! Although we booked a shorter trip on-line, (1.5 hour) the tour operator decided the tour was a two hour with a stop to collect shells on an island. We were fortunate to see one dolphin jumping with the waves.However changing the trip meant one had to dress accordingly to walk on the beach! We enjoyed the trip! Wonderful opportunities for photographs and a great family experience!

A little disappointed overall, expected more of a laid back, unique area. More like a circus or county fair, with the barkers and hucksters clamouring for the tourist dollars, claiming their "attraction" or cruise was the best.You can only see so many sponges that all look the same, and are priced the same, before you OD on it. The history of the area is interesting, and there are many choices for eating Greek inspired food, but 60 minutes is about all that's needed to see it and be tired of it. Glad I didn't travel there just to see Dodecanese Blvd. We had booked a sunset cruise that made the trip worthwhile.

This is a nice community to visit. It is interesting to learn about the sponge trade an its history. The town is cute, but trending to touristy gimmicks and merchandise. Definitely worth a days visit

I kind of liked visiting and walking around the dock areas. There were a lot of tourists and plenty of shopping. In fact, it appears shopping is the real attraction. You might be annoyed by the people hawking parking spaces, I know I was. Good for a day visit. The city itself is far more appealing.

Four of us enjoyed the shopping of the Sponge Docks area. It was fun to interact with the merchants and experience original Greek made products, and not deal with Made in China merchandise! The setting around the docks is beautiful, and if it's warm enough take a sightseeing trip. Lunch at Yianni's was less enjoyable. The food was fair to good, but the service was not up to par!

Nice scenic stroll along the historic waterfront but there is a decided lack of (real) museums or historic signs telling the story of sponging in Tarpon Springs. Plenty of tour boats (most hawking dolphin watching) and shops selling high-priced sponges but it really lacked any genuine sense of history.

We actually got down to the sponge docks at 9:30 in the morning and there were only a few shops open so we just wondered around,it was nice. We assumed that with it being February it was just the off season. When we came back to go on a dolphin cruise you could barely get down the street there was so many people! I personally do not like crowds so I didn't enjoy it in the afternoon. I will be returning... but only in the morning.

I visited the docks on a quiet winter afternoon. The weather was chilly so that might account for the lack of activity. It was an average experience for me. I will not be returning. The shopping is good. The atmosphere and history were generally interesting, but the few Greek restaurants were all very overpriced so we did not eat there.

You have the boats, the docks, the shops, the restaurants, a museum. What is not to like. Come have fun in an American Greek town. OPA!

Great waterfront area. Shops, restaurants and fabulous small aquarium with come and go privileges so you can see all their shows and shop inbetween:)

This is a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. Lots of unique and fun shops, great food (incredible greek food!) and beautiful scenery.