Tarpon Springs, Florida

Tucked on the edge of Tampa Bay is Tarpon Springs. More than just a coastal town, it’s a cultural treasure with deep Greek roots, lively traditions, and a downtown that’s buzzing with flavor and music. 

Sponges and Spanakopita!

Tarpon Springs built its identity on the sea. In the early 1900s, Greek immigrants recognized the region’s clear coastal waters as ideal for sponge harvesting and transformed the town into the center of America’s sponge diving industry. Drawn by waters and weather reminiscent of their homeland, Greeks continued to arrive, shaping a legacy so enduring that Tarpon Springs is still known today as “Florida’s Little Greece.”

The town’s story began earlier, in 1876, when A.W. Ormond and his daughter Mary became the first settlers, building a small cabin near Spring Bayou. According to local legend, Mary gave the town its name after spotting a fish leap from the water and exclaiming, “Look at that tarpon spring!” The fish was later identified as a mullet — but Mullet Springs never quite caught on. Tarpon Springs was officially incorporated in 1887, just as its future industry was taking shape.

By 1890, sponging had become the city’s economic backbone, though early methods were simple and inefficient, relying on hooks to rake the sea floor. Everything changed in 1905 with the arrival of John Corcoris, a Greek immigrant who introduced deep-sea sponge diving techniques perfected in Greece decades earlier. His arrival revolutionized the industry and sparked a new wave of Greek immigration, permanently shaping the town’s culture. Today, that history still lives on — with divers occasionally donning the original 1860s-era gear, weighing more than 170 pounds, to honor the tradition that built Tarpon Springs from the water up.

Signature Stops

• River Wild Kayaking- River Wild Kayaking shows people the beauty of coastal Florida, as well as educates tourists and locals alike about the importance of protecting such beauty so it can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Odyssey Cruises- They have several options from a Dolphin Island and Adventure Cruise to a stunning sunset cruise. ​ After a long day of eating and exploring, you can enjoy the sunset with one of the best views imaginable. 
• St. Nicholas Boat Line – Take a step back in time as you board a historic sponge-diving boat tour and watch divers in original suits plunge to the ocean floor to carry on this remarkable tradition. 
• Spongeorama Sponge Factory and Museum- A one stop shop for sponges, gifts, and history. Founded in 1968, they claim to have the world’s largest selection of natural sea sponges. There is also a free museum that features a film on the history of sponge diving.
• Narcosis Scuba- A family-owned business that has been operating since 1996. This is the ultimate stop for anyone looking to explore the great blue yonder. Captain Joyce offers scuba diving certifications as well as fishing and diving charters, depending on your desire for adventure.
• St. Nicholas Greek Cathedral- A stunning cathedral, featuring traditional Greek architecture and gorgeous stained-glass depictions of the life of Jesus. They offer services in both Greek and English as well as open prayer times during the week.
• Fred Howard Park Beach- Named after the former mayor of Tarpon springs, this peaceful beach is located just West of the sponge docks. You relax and take in the spectacular views, or if you’re looking for a little excitement, give windsurfing a try!

Bragging Rights

Tarpon Springs is known as the Sponge Capital of the World!

Home to the largest community of Greek Americans proportionally, one in ten residents are fluent in Greek and many have dual citizenship.

They hold the largest Epiphany Celebration in the Western Hemisphere which attracts upwards of 25,000 spectators every January.

The 1953 movie “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef” was filmed on location in Tarpon Springs. It centers around a local Greek American father and son sponge diving duo.

Tarpon Springs has four sister cities: Kalymnos, Halki and Symi (Greece) and Larnaca (Cyprus). Keeping their connection to the mediterranean strong. 

Every Season Has a Reason

Spring arrives on a coastal breeze, bringing calm waters and blue skies that make boat tours, sponge dock strolls, and time on the bay feel effortless.

Summer leans fully into its Mediterranean roots. Long, sun-soaked days call for beaches, boat rides, and every kind of water adventure imaginable. A heat that even feels familiar to the Greek traditions woven throughout the town.

Fall offers a gentler pace. Temperatures cool just enough to linger along the Sponge Docks, sip a frothy Greek frappé, and watch the harbor move at its own rhythm while the crowds thin.

Winter brings the town’s most comfortable days. It’s the perfect time to wander, feast on Greek comfort classics like avgolemono, and enjoy the outdoors before the sun reminds you it’s still very much Florida.

Mark Your Calendars

• Epiphany Celebration (January): For over a century, this iconic event has honored the baptism of Christ. Crowds gather as young men dive into the waters of Spring Bayou, racing to retrieve a cross thrown in by a priest. It’s the largest Epiphany celebration in America! 
• Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou (March): Thousands of artists exhibit their work at the oak-shaded park in Tarpon Springs. Not only can you enjoy and buy the incredible art that is featured, but you can also enjoy the craft food, beer, and live entertainment.
• Taste of Tarpon (April and October): Taste your way through downtown Tarpon Springs with many local vendors offering samples of their most popular food and drink.
• Sponge Docks Craft-Art Festival (September): Local and visiting artists come together to show off their work. The family and pet friendly event offers great food and shopping opportunities for everyone.
• Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival (November): Music, crafts, and most importantly, Seafood! Also featured is a chef competition, where you can watch incredible cooks duke it out to see who is the most skilled.

Meet the Locals

Tarpon Springs is rooted in hospitality. Guided by the Greek tradition of philoxenia, a love of strangers, locals lead with warmth, pride, and an open-door spirit that’s been passed down for generations. Shaped by Greek heritage and Southern ease, the sponging community has built a culture where sharing stories, food, and tradition comes naturally.

You’ll feel it along the Sponge Docks, in family kitchens, and at tables where meals are prepared with care and meant to be enjoyed slowly. Whether locals are sipping ouzo with friends, greeting visitors with a smile, or soaking in views of the water that shaped their livelihood, there’s a genuine joy in the way they live here.

The Last Word

Tarpon Springs feels like a place carried by the tide. It’s in the scent of the sea, the rhythm of sponge boats returning, and the way Greek tradition lives effortlessly alongside coastal Florida life. Few places offer the chance to savor a meal pulled fresh from the water, or to experience a culture so deeply rooted in a city far from its origin. Wander the Sponge Docks and be greeted by a cheerful “Yassou” from a shopkeeper opening their doors, and you’ll understand exactly how easy it is to get LOST IN Tarpon Springs, Florida.