Tarpon Springs sponge docks is a blast! While the place can seem a little touristy visiting and taking pictures of the people and boats is such a positive experience. Learning the history is bonus. If you need to get in steps, pay the eight to $10 parking fee for all day, and stroll the shops. Many are if not all, handicapped and disabled accommodating. There are so many choices for lunches and dinners, and a few bakeries for breakfast. Each one of them is perfect in their own right read more

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I will recommend this area every time. Whenever I go here all I can think of was when I was a girl, the sponge docks was my special treat with my father. You can get goat milk soap that smells delish read more

We had a lovely day strolling around, popping into shops, learning about the history and story of spongediving, having yummy lunch and visiting national bakery (delicious pastries and rich history as well!) it really feels as though you've stepped out of Florida and into Greece! You can hear the language being spoken all around, the iconic blue and white color pallette, etc really make this a great getaway visit! read more

Oh this was amazing! This quaint village makes you feel like you are transported some where else! I just wish it had been a sunny day! I definitely want to go back and it's only a 1.5 hr drive from Siesta Keys and Sarasota areas. If you have chance definitely go! read more

A nice spot to get souvenirs although most of the stores sell all of the same things. We got to see a boat pull in with sponges and that was cool. Worth spending a couple of hours and getting some Greek food and souvenirs. read more

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I must visit in Tarpon Springs is the sponge dogs as that's what they are famous for here and you can observe all the little typical boats that goes sponge diving and meanwhile promoters try to sell you their trips read more

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Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks is a charming waterfront area known for its rich Greek heritage, sponge diving history and authentic Greek food. Great for strolling, eating and browsing unique shops, especially if you enjoy culture and coastal vibes. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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A charming lil strip of stores, restaurants, and souvenir shops with a strong Greek community in tow. I loved strolling the area, reading about the history, soaking in the sights, supporting local shops by purchasing sponges, goat milk soap, and other odds and ends. There's a number of ice cream shops and restaurants to appease any picky eater! I love the atmosphere of this spot in Tarpon Springs, reminds you to step back and enjoy the joys of local goods. read more

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Love this little small town "Main Street" type strip in the adorable and quaint little beach town of Tarpon Springs! Lots of waterfront dining shops (especially Greek), souvenir and specialty shops, and boat tours (watch a professional diver go down to harvest a live sponge or take a relaxing sunset cruise almost every day of the week). The town also hosts a few town festival activities throughout the year right on the main road like craft fairs, seafood festival, hippie fest, etc! Gorgeous views on the water, check out all fishing and diving boats that line the docks all the way down that give it such a cool vibe! It's a hidden treasure must see! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Awesome fricking place got cool stuff drink's gift shop's etc etc. Definitely check out if you feel a bit bored read more

Sponge Docks - Whatchu think is here? - Gift Shops Near Me - Tarpon Springs, Florida

My wife's grandparents sold their house in Massapequa NY and moved to the area. They were so excited to take us to the Sponge Docks! Bill, you're 1/2 Greek, you're going to love it! I'm walking around and I see there are hard working Greeks trying to earn a living. From fishing and snorkeling tours to dining and shopping, the area is steeped in Greek traditions. I will tell you I had Greek food BETTER than in my beloved New York City. The shopping is geared for tourism but there are many unique items to be purchased. Lots of sponges! Every time we come, I always leave with a good feeling. If you're in the area, spend a few hours shopping and dining at the famous Sponge Docks. read more

Sponge Docks - Gift Shops Near Me - Tarpon Springs, Florida

I love shopping at the sponge docks every time I'm near Tarpon Springs. The dolphin cruises are fun, too.

What a great place to wander on a pretty day. You can go up and down the street, visiting all the fun shops, and sampling all the amazing fresh treats in the authentic Greek bakeries. There are sponges from local waters everywhere... boat tours of all kinds... history to explore, an aquarium... and so many great restaurants, you should fast for a week before visiting. There are so many cute places, tucked here and there.., some with water views, others with quaint terraces, and all with menus that are so swoon-worthy, you forget your name just studying them. Sometimes it's crowded on a Saturday, but not always. It's a great place to take out-of-town guests or just to stroll and take pictures. You've gotta try it-truly, a Bay Area jewel. read more

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It's very nice to stroll along the sponge docks and take pics. Relaxing way to spend the day. Grab a bit at Hellas or any of the nearby Greeks restaurants. The Greek community has quite a historical significance in this town!! Local businesses are cute & nice. And I also picked up some of that olive oil soap and a bar of goat milk soap! So luxurious!!! I love this place and have for years and will continue to return here with guests! read more

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Tarpon Springs used to have a booming, million-dollar business in sponge harvest, and attracted many immigrants from Greece. But that was many years ago. Can you imagine how expensive a hand-harvested Florida natural sponge may be nowadays? So, for a while, the sponge dock was a depressing little place... a sad shadow of its former glory, with tired little souvenir shops selling cheap knickknacks. However, I am glad to see that in the last few years they have done a good job reviving the Sponge Docks. Yes, it's touristy, but it's more lively, and it still has a small town vibe. There are shops worth exploring. It's cool to stroll along the docks, seeing the seabirds, watching passing boats. There are restaurants, bars, microbreweries that I enjoy visiting. It makes me happy to see families visiting and kids having fun, to see shop owners with smiling faces, chatting with the locals (and it's all Greek to me!) read more

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. read more

Sponge Docks - The sponge docks gift shop - Gift Shops Near Me - Tarpon Springs, Florida

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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. read more

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. read more

Very nice and distinctive place. I did not know before about these sponges at all, while here they are sold behind every single door. read more

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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. read more

I highly suggest spending the day here. Yes, some of it can be touristy however the food is great, they still do sponge diving and walking around makes for a relaxing day with the family. The community is rich with Greek culture. They even have a Greek school. I bought a small cookbook made by one of the churches during a festival years ago and I treasure it. I recently bought some sponges and they really are better than the synthetic ones. The soaps come in many scents and many of the shops sell all types of Greek items. The restaurants are crowded but you will find good portions and so much more variety on the menus than elsewhere. The bakeries are a nice ending to the day. I often stop for coffee and cookies or a piece of baklava. If you are bold, try the strong Greek coffee. read more

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How have I not reviewed the Sponge Docks? AKA Little Greece. All things Greek- food, souvenirs, baked goods, shop owners. I love hearing them chatter in their native tongue. Add a huge helping of tourist trap + some really cool sponge diving history and you have yourself several hours of exploring. You could spend all day if you go out on one of the boats for fishing, sightseeing, dolphin watching or an excursion to Anclote Key. There is simply so much packed into this tiny corner of Tarpon Springs. Right on the water way leading out to the gulf. My pictures are from the water since my kids store their boat right there. Seeing the sponge docks from the water is a special treat. In the cooler months it can get quite busy- parking is hard to find unless you pay for a lot to park in. And there are treasures at the end of the strip- one of my favorite seafood restaurants is Rusty Bellies. Greek food, Hellas is extremely popular- but there are plenty to choose from. I personally love Hellas for their bakery. The shops are so much fun and be sure to grab yourself a sponge while your there! read more

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Great walk and plenty of little bars, cafes, and restaurants to choose from-- Some places will have outside entertainment- which is nice... It's missing a hotel read more

Fun day! Cruises to see sponge diving areas and others to watch dolphins. Many shops to buy your local memorabilia. Great restaurants and Greek cuisine. Bakery was very tasty. read more

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 there next we will try mama's in there ............Great Time ty to all there keep the friendly attitudes read more

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. read more

Sponge Docks on Dodocanese Street is a mecca reflecting the Sponge community and the amazing Greek Culture that can be found quite prominently in Tarpon Springs, FL. One can see many boats on the water, and the many examples of sponges that are picked up in the surrounding waters. There are a bunch of tours, Greek restaurants, shopping for local goods like the sponges, soaps, Greek goods, etc. can be found here. Often all through out the year, there are festivals for all to enjoy. I love everything about the Sponge Docks including the many picturesque opportunities on the water, the Sponge museum, the Greek restaurants like Parthenon and Hellas, and the countless shops. It is a cool place for a day trip, short getaway, or nice date. They also have Fred Howard Park Beach nearby, a winery, a few small museums, Main Street Dunedin for a complete tour around Tarpon Springs. read more

Sponge Docks - Gift Shops Near Me - Tarpon Springs, Florida

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. read more

The main street is packed with shops, restaurants, sponges and soaps for sale as well as numerous other fun things to see and buy. The water-way that runs adjacent to the main street has boats, more sponges and great photo ops. We took visiting friends from Minnesota, Paul and Patty, to see Tarpon Springs and The Sponge Docks...it was a fun filled day for all of us. read more

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Had a great time at the Sponge Docks! It's touristy, yes, but good family fun, with authentic Greek restaurants and shops to poke around in. We booked a dolphin excursion and loved it. We spent about an hour walking around the shops, then ate at Hellas (Octopus! Hummus! Yum!), took a boat ride for 2 hours, and came back and shopped for sponges and picked up pastries before we left. It was a great time! Parking was $5. We got there at 10am and there was ample parking. I will definitely be going back when friends or family come to visit. I loved there it was so clean there, and family friendly, other than a few smutty souvenirs in a shop. I'm not done exploring there yet! read more

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Every time I visit the Tampa/Clearwater area, I make an effort to stop by here. I love the rich Greek culture and the history behind this area. The Greeks setup shop here back in the day and made a living by diving for sponge! The sponge is a live organism but they once they bring it up to land, they dry it and sanitize it to use as a bathing tool. I've actually went on a boat tour with a sponge diver and man, seeing what they did for a living was thrilling and inspiring. It's not easy work and the diving suit is super heavy with pretty much a hose feeding the suit with oxygen. The bottoms of their boots are lined with weights so they can walk down at the bottom of the sea and collect the sponges. It was a booming industry back in the early 1900's but not so much today since synthetic sponges are made in place of the live sponges. There's quite a few restaurants and shops on Dodecanese Avenue; I've been to a couple of the restaurants and the food was excellent. The shops are pretty neat; I've bought a few souvenirs and soaps made from goat milk from them. Definitely stop by if you're in the area and do one of the tours, it's fun! read more

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. read more

We live in Tarpon Springs so we don't go down to the Sponge Docks very often. My sister is in town from Illinois, though, and I wanted to show her the charm of our town. We had lunch (and dessert) at Hellas, got lots of pictures on the Docks (she even asked permission to board a fishing boat and got her pic with the owner), visited so many unique stores and listened to the live musicians playing on the streets. The Sponge Docks are such an important part of Tarpon Springs' economy and a wonderful place to bring visitors. From Lori's Soaps to Hellas and Rusty Bellies, you should take the time to visit the unique life in the Docks! read more

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Cool little area! I visit because I I've having homemade soaps for my sensitive skin. So we take a drive to Lori's Soaps to buy some of her amazing soaps. There made with either goat milk, olive oil or coconut oil as the base. She have tons of different fragrances that is not over powering. It makes my skin feels really soft. You can buy 4 bars for &12 or one one for $3.50. They also sell bath sponges either for body, face and makeup applications. There is other items that you can buy other than soaps. The soap is my favorite and that is what the store is known for. I purchase 6 soap bars and a few sponges and my total was $20. Plus she always through in freebies! Love those!! Very nice owner and great selections and supply. read more

Sponge Docks - My daughter happy to restock her soap! - Gift Shops Near Me - Tarpon Springs, Florida

When the weather cooperates, I enjoy spending a weekend roaming the streets of Tarpon Springs, and learning about the history and culture of this area. Tarpon Springs is a well-known Greek fishing community, poised on the edge of Tarpon Bayou which eventually leads out to the Gulf of Mexico. The town itself is a small municipality located north of Clearwater, along Alternate US 19 in Pinellas County, and filled with a collection of antique shops and small, general businesses. But it is the section of town known as the Sponge Docks, along Dodecanese Boulevard, which is the big draw for tourists. Once you turn in off the main highway, you'll want to find a place to park your car for the day. There are plenty of lots, and the cost is about $5 for the entire day. From there you can stroll up and down Dodecanese Boulevard, enjoying the restaurants and shopping options. Some of the best restaurants and stores can be found on the side streets, so don't be afraid to turn off the main road and go exploring. Most everywhere that you look you'll see the boats of the Tarpon Springs shrimp fleet, along with the sponge divers, and the tour boats for dolphin watching and nature excursions. Many of the restaurants have outdoor patios where you can sit and watch the boats, and I highly recommend that for your first trip to the area. Al fresco dining with a cold beer and a big platter of shrimp is a wonderful thing! As you walk further down the Boulevard, you'll see the tiled murals and the statue featuring the Greek sponge divers, and you'll want to take a moment and learn about the fascinating history of these guys. If you're lucky, one of the sponge diving boats may be pulling up to the docks, and you can watch the crew trimming the sponges and tossing them up onto the dock where they'll be cleaned and sold in the nearby shops. This is a big part of the commercial industry in Tarpon Springs, and it is fascinating. Assuming that you don't mind being a little touristy, you can hop aboard one of the sightseeing boats and ride along as you learn about the history of Greek sponge diving. After the boat cruises out to the sponge beds, the diver will suit up with his leaded boots, heavy canvas diving suit, and hard-hat helmet. Over the side he goes with a basket and a three-pronged hook to snag the live sponges off of the bottom. After a bit, he resurfaces, and you'll watch as the crew starts cleaning the sponges and preparing them for sale back at the docks. You can also find some great cruises which will take you out towards the Gulf, while the on-board naturalist will tell you about the fishies and animals to be found in the area. On many of these trips you'll see tarpon and wild dolphins, and that's always great fun for everyone. Back on shore you'll probably be ready to eat, and this is where Tarpon Springs really shines. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and you'll find some of the best Greek food and pastries in the small restaurants along the way. Lastly, there's the shopping... you'll see a lot of touristy t-shirt and shell shops, but if you look closely, you'll also find stores selling freshly-pressed olive oil which is made into health and beauty products. My Mom used to love to come here and buy handmade lace. Dad and I would leave her chattering away with the Greek ladies while he & I went off in search of a cold one. If you make it all the way down to the end of Dodecanese Boulevard, you'll spy one of my favorite fresh seafood markets (Pelican Point). I keep a cooler in the back of my car so that I can bring back shrimp, smoked fish, and other delicacies from this fishmonger. It's easy to spend an entire day in this area of Tarpon Springs as you duck in and out of the little shops and restaurants. Make sure that you take the time to visit with the locals. They are super friendly people, who are very proud of their Greek heritage. You'll learn a lot about sponge diving and the Greek culture, and it's always a very fun time. read more

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If you a fan of Greek food this is the place for you! We spent the afternoon visiting the Sponge Docks and had an enjoyable afternoon! If you need a Sponge this is your place too. There are a lot of shops to visit with all of the touristy stuff you can imagine! read more