One of the World’s Greatest Shore Dives Could Be Destroyed

Protect Blue Heron Bridge & Phil Foster Park

An Internationally Recognized Marine Treasure Is at Risk

A proposal known as Singer Island Gateway would construct a 25- to 28-story luxury condominium developmentimmediately adjacent to Phil Foster Park and the internationally renowned Blue Heron Bridge Dive Site.

Blue Heron Bridge is far more than a local dive site.

It is recognized around the world for its extraordinary marine biodiversity, remarkable accessibility, and unparalleled underwater photography opportunities. Every year, divers, snorkelers, scientists, photographers, students, and families travel from across the globe to experience this extraordinary ecosystem.

Wildlife Voice supports responsible development.

However, when development has the potential to permanently alter an internationally recognized marine ecosystem, every possible environmental impact should be thoroughly and independently evaluated before construction begins.

Some places are simply too valuable to lose.

Blue Heron Bridge is one of them.

Why Blue Heron Bridge Matters

Blue Heron Bridge is widely regarded as one of the finest shore dives anywhere on Earth.

Its international reputation has made Palm Beach County one of the world’s premier destinations for underwater photography, marine education, and ecotourism.

International Recognition

Named the World’s Best Dive Site
Sport Diver Magazine (2013)

Recognized by PADI as one of North America’s premier dive destinations

Ranked by PADI among the World’s Top 10 Muck & Macro Dive Sites

Consistently recognized among America’s finest shore dives

This remarkable ecosystem belongs not only to Florida—but to everyone who values our oceans.

A Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Blue Heron Bridge is extraordinary not simply because of its beauty—but because of the incredible diversity of marine life it supports.

Wildlife records from the site document:

More than 1,400 marine species

including fishes, sharks, rays, sea turtles, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, marine mammals, birds, and countless invertebrates.

Documented wildlife observations exceed:

  • 1,402 recorded species
  • 17,550 documented wildlife sightings

The area also supports numerous species protected by state, federal, and international conservation laws, including:

  • 53 IUCN Red List species
    • 37 Vulnerable
    • 7 Endangered
    • 9 Critically Endangered
  • 4 species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
  • 4 species protected under the Florida Endangered Species Act

Blue Heron Bridge is not simply beautiful.

It is biologically significant.

An Ecosystem Unlike Any Other

Unlike most famous dive sites around the world, Blue Heron Bridge requires no expensive boat trip.

Most of its extraordinary marine life can be explored in only 10–25 feet of water, making it accessible to:

  • Divers
  • Snorkelers
  • Families
  • Students
  • Underwater photographers
  • Marine scientists
  • Conservationists

Visitors regularly encounter:

  • Seahorses
  • Frogfish
  • Batfish
  • Octopus
  • Southern Stingrays
  • Eagle Rays
  • Sea Turtles
  • Pipefish
  • Nudibranchs
  • Flamingo Tongue Snails
  • Juvenile Tropical Reef Fish

Every dive is different.

Every dive reveals something extraordinary.

More Than a Dive Site

Blue Heron Bridge supports an entire economy built around sustainable ecotourism.

It benefits:

  • Dive operators
  • Dive shops
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Charter boats
  • Marine educators
  • Scientific researchers
  • Underwater photographers
  • Local businesses throughout Palm Beach County

Thousands of visitors travel here every year specifically because Blue Heron Bridge exists.

Once that attraction is diminished, those visitors may not return.

The Proposed Development

The proposed Singer Island Gateway project includes:

  • 25–28 story luxury condominium tower
  • Approximately 298 luxury residences
  • Restaurant
  • Retail space
  • Marina
  • Public waterfront amenities

Wildlife Voice believes projects of this magnitude require the highest level of environmental scrutiny when located beside internationally recognized marine ecosystems.

Construction Noise Could Displace Marine Life

One of the most overlooked concerns is the underwater noise generated during years of construction.

Unlike sound in the air, sound travels approximately four times faster and much farther underwater.

Pile driving, foundation installation, barges, cranes, heavy equipment, and continuous construction activity can create underwater noise and vibration that extends well beyond the construction site.

Scientific studies have shown that underwater construction noise can:

  • Cause fish and other marine animals to temporarily abandon important habitat.
  • Interrupt feeding behavior.
  • Disrupt breeding activity.
  • Alter migration and movement patterns.
  • Increase physiological stress.
  • Reduce the quality of important nursery habitat.

Blue Heron Bridge has become world famous because of the abundance of marine life that calls this area home.

Wildlife Voice believes these potential impacts deserve comprehensive, independent scientific evaluation before construction begins.

Wildlife Voice’s Concerns

We respectfully ask decision-makers to fully evaluate:

Shadowing

Could a 25- to 28-story building reduce sunlight reaching shallow marine habitat?

Would reduced sunlight affect marine vegetation, juvenile fish habitat, or the famous snorkeling trail?

Water Quality

Could runoff, sedimentation, or construction activities reduce water quality?

Marina Expansion

Could increased boat traffic increase:

  • Fuel pollution
  • Wildlife disturbance
  • Propeller injuries
  • Wake impacts

Construction Impacts

What effects could years of heavy construction have on the surrounding marine ecosystem?

Long-Term Cumulative Effects

Have all long-term environmental impacts been independently evaluated?

Wildlife Voice Supports

We support:

Responsible development

Independent scientific review

Protection of public access

Science-based decision making

Sustainable ecotourism

Conservation of internationally significant marine ecosystems

Development and conservation are not mutually exclusive.

Responsible planning allows both to succeed.

Our Position

Blue Heron Bridge is not valuable simply because it is beautiful.

It is valuable because it is rare.

Natural places like this are disappearing throughout the world.

Luxury condominiums can be built almost anywhere.

One of the world’s greatest shore dives cannot.

If this remarkable ecosystem is significantly altered, the marine life, biodiversity, and world-renowned diving experience that have taken nature thousands of years to create could be permanently lost.

We have one opportunity to get this right.

Take Action

The future of Blue Heron Bridge depends on people who care enough to speak up.

We respectfully ask local officials to:

  • Require independent environmental review.
  • Fully evaluate potential impacts to marine life.
  • Assess construction noise impacts.
  • Evaluate shadowing effects.
  • Protect water quality.
  • Preserve public access.
  • Ensure that any development is compatible with protecting one of the world’s most celebrated marine ecosystems.

Sign the Petition

Help protect Blue Heron Bridge and Phil Foster Park for future generations.

Sign the petition here.

Why Wildlife Voice Is Speaking Out

Wildlife Voice exists to protect wildlife through science, education, and public engagement.

For more than four decades, our founder, Jim Abernethy, has introduced thousands of divers to Blue Heron Bridge and has spent a lifetime documenting marine wildlife around the world.

Few people have witnessed firsthand the ecological importance of this extraordinary ecosystem as extensively as Jim and the many scientists, photographers, dive professionals, and conservationists who have explored these waters.

Blue Heron Bridge belongs to all of us.

Its future should be determined not only by what can be built beside it, but by what could be lost beneath the surface.