I love shopping at the sponge docks every time I'm near Tarpon Springs. The dolphin cruises are fun, too.
Ariel W.
The history of the Sponge Docks begins with John Cheyney founded the first sponge business in Tarpon Springs in the 1880s. His success attracted sponge divers from Greece and it provided quite a few jobs for the local economy. The sponges were harvested off the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico using surface boats and long poles to bring up the sponges. In 1905 John Cocoris came to town and introduced sponge diving to the industry. This deep sea diving technique used a special suit and a diving helmet with air pumped in from a compressor on the boat. He brought in divers from Greece and the sponge industry soon became one of the biggest businesses in Florida and required more and more divers. Many of the original divers came from the Dodecanese Islands of Kalymnos, Symi and Halki. The street that runs along the sponge docks on the river is named Dodecanese Boulevard. Many more Greeks came to Tarpon to open restaurants, candy stores, coffee houses, taverns and grocery stores Thousands of Greeks stayed in Tarpon Springs and they helped to build the city. Today the area along the Sponge Docks is an interesting tourist destination with hundreds of shops, bakeries, restaurants and other businesses with mostly Greek themes. There are museums, statues, plaques and other reminders of the area's unique history. The Sponge Docks is still a working waterfront that is home to the remaining sponge boats and a large fleet of shrimpers. If you visit Tarpon Springs, the Sponge Docks are a must!
Paula P.
Fun place to visit. Picturesque views of the waterway and boats unloading its cache of newly harvested sponges. Delicious Greek bakeries and numerous Greek restaurants. Some intriguing shops tucked away from the main thoroughfare.
Chris P.
The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, Fl brings tourists from all around the globe. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US and the sponge docks are where you will take it all in. In the 1880s, John K. Cheyney founded the first local sponge business. A few Greek immigrants also arrived in this city during the 1890s to work in the sponge industry. The sponge docks was one of the first industries to thrive in what is now known as Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks are where you must visit to appreciate this heritage.
Laura D.
I've been coming to the Tarpon Springs area for the majority of my life. One of my favorite things to do has always been going to the Sponge Docks. Highly recommend Hella's Bakery and Restaurant and Mykonos. Both are very good. I've also been to Dimitri's which I thought was pretty good as well. But my favorite is Hella's I have to get baked goods every time I come. It's a very touristy spot. Would also recommend the Cuban coffee.
B T.
parked the rv in the 3 dollar all day parking the young man in the 5 dollar store was awesome. His attitude is what will make us come back. The ladies in the greek pastry shop were wonderful as well and the guy in Lori's sponge/candles shop was wonderful as wel......he gave the young girl a small sponge she wanted...................if you want to spend a great day..........go therenext we will try mama's in there ............Great Time ty to all there keep the friendly attitudes
Karen S.
We usually love the sponge docks. we have been going there for years. However, we had a very bad experience today over parking. we have parked I the same place for years, but today hmmm. we parked in the usual place outside of our favorite store but we're told had to move by parking people that do not even own the store. they were aggressive, verbally abusive and threatening. This was because we dared to park in front of their sign. I told the attendant when he knocked on my window, and preceded to yell at me that I was just sitting here, and to leave me alone, my husband was in the store talking to the merchant. I also told the parking attendant, that I had a heart condition so quit yelling at me. he then cursed at me told me he did not give a fuxx about my condition. when my husband came out I am now so upset so then he gets upset and yells at the attendant of what is wrong with you, yelling at my wife, the attendant then starts threatening us more, gets in my husbands face, starts taking pics, said called police, but all a lie and used to intimidate us. we did call police, and were also told by store owners that this is an on going problem. I am shocked that this is allowed to go on. to make matters worse I dropped my coin purse with lots of money in it and my daughter ID. now I'm worried this guy has my daughter stuff and of course my money. Please do something about this.
Brigitte L.
I enjoyed my day walking around checking out the docks! Lived in Tampa all my life and never been here until now. There are several lots where you pay to park. First lot we came to was $12 fits all day parking. If you want cheaper parking there is a $5 lot however it's packed so I'm sure you'll have to get there early to grab a spot. There are so many shops with souvenirs and soap and sponges. You even pass by boats that have freshly caught sponges hanging out to dry. There are also many eateries such as Hellas, Yiannis, Rusty Bellies to name a few. There is even a small little boutique where you can get henna done. Fun day out with the fam.
Andrea U.
Love walking along the sponge docks watching the boats come in. Lots of sponge shops and sports bars along the way. It was a beautiful afternoon and the docks were very crowded. Previously we've gone out on the boats for tours, it was well done.
Pinky L.
What a charming place to visit. We had a great Greek lunch and enjoyed the afternoon shopping and learning about the sponge industry. Our out of town guests had fun.
The sponge docks at Tarpon Springs are pretty neat! The town is so small and cozy with all of the Greek history and the history of the sponge docks is pretty interesting! Went for a quick 2 day trip and it was perfect. If you're looking for a quick trip to tarpon springs, the sponge docks is a must to see.
Lori N.
What a fun day for a day trip to tarpon springs sponge docks. We happened yo arrive when they pulled in and we're sorting out all the sponges. Very cool!It's a small strip of restaurants and gift shops near the water. They even have some boat excursions We would have but most were 2 hours and seemed like a long time. Enjoyed the day there as usual and will be back soon.
Logan H.
This is a neat area to go to if you are visiting from out of town. Simply all things Greek. This place is so cool because you have lots of food, shopping and sightseeing opportunities all located in a convenient area. Make sure you buy a sponge, because they are truly a game changer in a bathing experience. I will 100% be coming back whenever I have friends or family visiting from out of town.
I love shopping at the sponge docks every time I'm near Tarpon Springs. The dolphin cruises are fun, too.
The history of the Sponge Docks begins with John Cheyney founded the first sponge business in Tarpon Springs in the 1880s. His success attracted sponge divers from Greece and it provided quite a few jobs for the local economy. The sponges were harvested off the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico using surface boats and long poles to bring up the sponges. In 1905 John Cocoris came to town and introduced sponge diving to the industry. This deep sea diving technique used a special suit and a diving helmet with air pumped in from a compressor on the boat. He brought in divers from Greece and the sponge industry soon became one of the biggest businesses in Florida and required more and more divers. Many of the original divers came from the Dodecanese Islands of Kalymnos, Symi and Halki. The street that runs along the sponge docks on the river is named Dodecanese Boulevard. Many more Greeks came to Tarpon to open restaurants, candy stores, coffee houses, taverns and grocery stores Thousands of Greeks stayed in Tarpon Springs and they helped to build the city. Today the area along the Sponge Docks is an interesting tourist destination with hundreds of shops, bakeries, restaurants and other businesses with mostly Greek themes. There are museums, statues, plaques and other reminders of the area's unique history. The Sponge Docks is still a working waterfront that is home to the remaining sponge boats and a large fleet of shrimpers. If you visit Tarpon Springs, the Sponge Docks are a must!
Fun place to visit. Picturesque views of the waterway and boats unloading its cache of newly harvested sponges. Delicious Greek bakeries and numerous Greek restaurants. Some intriguing shops tucked away from the main thoroughfare.
The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, Fl brings tourists from all around the globe. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US and the sponge docks are where you will take it all in. In the 1880s, John K. Cheyney founded the first local sponge business. A few Greek immigrants also arrived in this city during the 1890s to work in the sponge industry. The sponge docks was one of the first industries to thrive in what is now known as Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks are where you must visit to appreciate this heritage.
I've been coming to the Tarpon Springs area for the majority of my life. One of my favorite things to do has always been going to the Sponge Docks. Highly recommend Hella's Bakery and Restaurant and Mykonos. Both are very good. I've also been to Dimitri's which I thought was pretty good as well. But my favorite is Hella's I have to get baked goods every time I come. It's a very touristy spot. Would also recommend the Cuban coffee.
parked the rv in the 3 dollar all day parking the young man in the 5 dollar store was awesome. His attitude is what will make us come back. The ladies in the greek pastry shop were wonderful as well and the guy in Lori's sponge/candles shop was wonderful as wel......he gave the young girl a small sponge she wanted...................if you want to spend a great day..........go therenext we will try mama's in there ............Great Time ty to all there keep the friendly attitudes
We usually love the sponge docks. we have been going there for years. However, we had a very bad experience today over parking. we have parked I the same place for years, but today hmmm. we parked in the usual place outside of our favorite store but we're told had to move by parking people that do not even own the store. they were aggressive, verbally abusive and threatening. This was because we dared to park in front of their sign. I told the attendant when he knocked on my window, and preceded to yell at me that I was just sitting here, and to leave me alone, my husband was in the store talking to the merchant. I also told the parking attendant, that I had a heart condition so quit yelling at me. he then cursed at me told me he did not give a fuxx about my condition. when my husband came out I am now so upset so then he gets upset and yells at the attendant of what is wrong with you, yelling at my wife, the attendant then starts threatening us more, gets in my husbands face, starts taking pics, said called police, but all a lie and used to intimidate us. we did call police, and were also told by store owners that this is an on going problem. I am shocked that this is allowed to go on. to make matters worse I dropped my coin purse with lots of money in it and my daughter ID. now I'm worried this guy has my daughter stuff and of course my money. Please do something about this.
I enjoyed my day walking around checking out the docks! Lived in Tampa all my life and never been here until now. There are several lots where you pay to park. First lot we came to was $12 fits all day parking. If you want cheaper parking there is a $5 lot however it's packed so I'm sure you'll have to get there early to grab a spot. There are so many shops with souvenirs and soap and sponges. You even pass by boats that have freshly caught sponges hanging out to dry. There are also many eateries such as Hellas, Yiannis, Rusty Bellies to name a few. There is even a small little boutique where you can get henna done. Fun day out with the fam.
Love walking along the sponge docks watching the boats come in. Lots of sponge shops and sports bars along the way. It was a beautiful afternoon and the docks were very crowded. Previously we've gone out on the boats for tours, it was well done.
What a charming place to visit. We had a great Greek lunch and enjoyed the afternoon shopping and learning about the sponge industry. Our out of town guests had fun.
Restaurantji Recommends
The sponge docks at Tarpon Springs are pretty neat! The town is so small and cozy with all of the Greek history and the history of the sponge docks is pretty interesting! Went for a quick 2 day trip and it was perfect. If you're looking for a quick trip to tarpon springs, the sponge docks is a must to see.
What a fun day for a day trip to tarpon springs sponge docks. We happened yo arrive when they pulled in and we're sorting out all the sponges. Very cool!It's a small strip of restaurants and gift shops near the water. They even have some boat excursions We would have but most were 2 hours and seemed like a long time. Enjoyed the day there as usual and will be back soon.
This is a neat area to go to if you are visiting from out of town. Simply all things Greek. This place is so cool because you have lots of food, shopping and sightseeing opportunities all located in a convenient area. Make sure you buy a sponge, because they are truly a game changer in a bathing experience. I will 100% be coming back whenever I have friends or family visiting from out of town.