Barracuda Reef is a great open water dive for newer divers, and another great shallow site to stop by if you have boat access. WebThis shallow wreck is a popular dive site for divers of all experience levels. scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. WebUSS Spiegel Grove Wreck (LSD-32) A Florida Keys diving trip wouldnt be complete without stopping by the USS Spiegel Grove wreck. Floridas climate and coastal waters have claimed many sea vessels over the centuries. Its relatively calm and shallow waters harbor a wide variety of brightly colored blennies and small crustaceans. Shallow diving offers two immediate benefits. The massive minnow balls are definitely the biggest draw to this area, and are enough in themselves to make the dive worth checking out. Chinchorro Banks, Mexico. When completed, the statue park will have 88 tons of sculptors lying at 45 feet on Coral Lok plugs which foster the growth of corals. Ginnie Springs, less than two hours form St. Augustine, has been ranked as the worlds best shallow fresh water dive. Those who look into crevices might be rewarded with the occasional octopus. WebKey West, Florida is such an amazing place to visit for awesome scuba diving right off the coast. Rumors abound about the person responsible, but nothing has been confirmed. Once you hit the beach, the sun-heated lava will take away any chill. On July 10, 1917, while being towed by a tug, the City of Washington ran aground and was a total loss within minutes. Why? Combining science, art, and tourism, the 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project & Gallery is an art exhibit and research location. Greater Ft. Lauderdale accounts for 23 miles in the middle of the tract and the largest number of dive sites, with over 100 reef and wreck sites. North America Editor Walt Stearns dives into his back catalogue to give us some global destinations to add to our diving bucket list. The 911ft-long vessel now draws marine life and underwater photographers for its photogenic topography. The American Red Cross recommends a minimum of 9 feet of water depth for head first dives including dives from pool decks. And at depths of 12 to 15 feet, with a sandy bottom and visibility that normally ranges from 60 to 200 feet, mild currents and balmy water temperatures, you can explore to your hearts content. Theres a ton of beachfront rental properties, and a strong shore diving presence in the community. Two Steps is next to the Place of Refuge, historically a site where lawbreakers sought sanctuary; today the sanctuary seekers are likely packing picnic lunches, coolers and snorkeling gear. WebThese wrecks combined with our fantastic artificial reefs makes Key Largo the Wreck Diving Capital of the Florida Keys. USS Kittiwake, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7. Often seen floating on the surface, or lazing on an underwater shelf, is the resident saltwater crocodile. All of the dive sites we visit are accessed by boat. Make It Happen CoCo Views (cocoviewresort.com) high-season rate (January through June) for a seven-night stay in an oceanfront room runs $1,349, which includes meals and four boat dives a day. USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia 4. Take a look at all 20 sites to Dive in Florida. The rather straightforward layout of the reef makes it easy to navigate and thus is a good option for novice divers looking to practice moving around a reef without a guide. This tugboat was originally destined to be sunk off Miami. Key Largo Dive Sites WebMarco Island is the perfect final stop for a road trip, where you can hang foot loose and fancy-free. The calm grassy bottom is a nursery for juvenile reef fish, where octopi, flounder, skates and rays hide in the sand. Diving Shore dives are not really an option in the Florida Keys because the water is too shallow. Wandering from dive site to dive site should feel like hopping between aquariums, take your time and enjoy the colors of every self-contained climate. Additionally, you can observe corals that have been outplanted as an effort to restore the Florida Reef Tract. Jellyfish are in the area seasonally, so be sure to cover up and watch beware when relevant. These are some of the best dive sites for beginners in Florida: See more great Dive sites in our FloridaDive Guide. Parrot fish and sergeant major swim circles around coral encrusted passageways. The famed Molasses Reef also lies within the sanctuarys boundaries. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Florida Dry Tortugas is known for the quality of its coral and the abundance of tropical reef life. From shallow coral gardens, to steep wall dives and deep technical wrecks, theres more than a little bit of everything. Florida Keys has some of the best Shallow Wrecks in Key Largo to enjoy while Scuba Diving. Many consider the Duane to be the perfect wreck dive. Max depth of 40 feet makes this a great entry level dive, This end of Molasses Reef gets passing pelagic life, Sharks have been known to frequent the area, Among the best drift dives in the Miami area, Depth and strong current makes this best for advanced divers, Overhangs and crevices contain a great abundance of life, Great site for intermediate and advanced divers, Opportunity to see a wide variety of life, Bonus wreck dive for more advanced divers, Good opportunity to practice navigation and night dives, Abundant small oceanic life and invertebrates, Good beginner site with straightforward navigation, Top of the reef is still visible to snorkelers, Convoluted ledges means theres plenty of room for exploration, Three shallow shore dive sites present the opportunity for an all day adventure, Clear calm water and sites that are relatively close to shore, One of the most famous swim throughs in the Keys, Great dive for beginners looking for something different. On the good side however there is so much marine life around this ship that will not be disappointed. This 15-foot site fizzes like a bottle of New Years Eve bubbly, caused by a venting thermal fumarole on the ocean floor. If youre lucky you might even see a pair of spotted eagle rays floating along with the tide. The Amesbury was an escort for destroyers in World War II. WebSouth Florida Diving 101 N. Riverside Dr. Suite 111 Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Phone: (800) 771-DIVE (3483) (Toll Free in U.S.) Phone: +1 (954) 783-2299 (Outside U.S.) E-mail: info@southfloridadiving.com But the real draw to Crystal River (90 mins north of Tampa) comes in the form of 10ft-long gentle giants. Make It Happen Sams Tours (samstours.com) offers Chandelier Caves as the third dive of the day for $40 extra. The site is another good opportunity for beginners to get multiple boat dives, and is part of the widely praised Molasses Reef. While the bars and the beaches are great, what about watching coral crusted ghost ships rise out of the blue toward you? When you think of Florida, you probably imagine crowded beaches and the routine bustle of Miami nightlife. In the Florida Keys, much reef diving is shallow, easy diving. Make It Happen Arenui the Boutique Live-aboard (thearenui.com) runs trips to Raja Ampat. Keep an eye out for wide varieties of turtles, box turtles, massive snapping turtles. Its one of the most productive sources of freshwater in the world. The out and back nature of diving jetties makes this ideal terrain to practice basicunderwater navigation, and the abundance of smaller organisms here is enough to keep anyones attention. At this theater, be prepared for a lot of action as the chum and bait box lures the tigers in. Dry Tortugas National Park is a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Mexico 70 miles from Key West. The Eagle is also significant because it was split in half by a hurricane, letting divers without any wreck experience get the chance to see inside the vessel without the risk of overhead cover. Before sinking, the ships hatches were opened and the holds pumped full of water to sink the ship. Shallowest Shipwrecks If youre a seasoned wreck diver, the interior of the ship poses a technical challenge worthy of your respect. Many in-ground pools are 10 feet deep in the diving end. Diving Then something strange happens: As you move from the gray of the depths to the shallows and begin your safety stop, you forget the tirade youd been preparing. Finding a sharks tooth is a perk of this site, as are the turtles, otters and bubbling spring beds. Scuba Diving WebThe reefs are mostly shallow (25 to 40 feet), so they are ideal for beginners and all divers that want to enjoy lots of light on the reef and not worry about bottom time or air consumption. Another thing to note is the ease of access to most of these sites. The protected, sunlit canyons feature healthy coral growth and a veritable aquarium of Hawaiian reef fish. Florida has always been known for its bustling tourism industry, and there are no exceptions to this in the dive world. The MV Capt. Chandelier Caves is a minute from the Fish n Fins dock (fishnfins.com), and is also offered as the third dive on top of a two-tank day for $35. On this shallow reef dive, in addition to the abundant fish, you may see spiny lobsters, nurse sharks, groupers, eels, and even sea turtles. Accident (Locals advise being geared up about 30 minutes before high tide.) Wreck Diving Sites Coral structures start anywhere from 35 feet all the way to the bottom at 115 feet of water on the oceanic side of the ledge. WebDive Description. Large patches of sargassum hold an untold number of macro life and the sandy shoals off its shore are a stalking ground for larger reef fish. At two miles in length and ranging in depth from 60 to 90 feet, this is a dive for people with some experience handling deep water and strong currents. Clear water and abundant marine life make Joes Tug a popular destination for wide-angle photographers. WebDives are geared to satisfy both the beginner and the advanced diver. Visibility and conditions are variable, as is water temperature. WebShipwrecks dot the coastline all over the lower keys. Barracuda Reef is one of the better trafficked and more easily accessible boat dives available right off of the shore. Wreck Situated on its starboard side around 80 feet of water, the USS Spiegel Grove is a must-see site for advanced divers who want to explore the coral encrusted exterior of deep wreck. Its in Key Largos Marine Sanctuary and near French reef, just off the coast of Key Largo in the Florida Keys. With a hard bottom of 20 feet, crystal-clear waters and 340 sunny days a year, youre almost guaranteed prime viewing conditions as the vividly striped tiger sharks hit the site. This World War II-era ship was intentionally sunk off the coast of Panama City in 1993 to create an artificial reef. Inshore Dives The water temperature in Florida can vary seasonally from 69F to 86F. Go Now Buddy Dive Dominica, www.buddydivedominica.com, Edithburgh Jetty, Australia Go Now Tufi Dive Resort, tufidive.com, Critter Corner, St. Vincent Advanced Dive, Offshore DIve, Wreck Diving. Anhingas and other diving birds prowl the slow moving water for minnows and other opportunistic treats. A halocline, caused by the mixing of salt and fresh water, produces an eerie underwater effect complemented by the ethereal dancing of light on the ceiling as divers surface into the cavernous air pocket. Ready to begin planning your scuba trip to Florida? Popping from one chamber to the next, divers progress deeper into the cave system to experience the Zen-like tranquility of waters completely cut off from current or sunlight, and filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. When diving, remember to control your buoyancy, since shipwreck structures can be as fragile as the marine life they support. The sanctuary is home to a rotating cast of turtles who float lazily along the pilings munching jellyfish, and stingrays nestled in the shallow, sandy waters. The Spiegel Grove is a top contender among the numerous artificial reefs in Florida. This 180ft barge is an artificial reef that accidentally landed upside down. She lies between French Reef and Dixie Shoals on the bottom of a low profile reef and sand, in depths ranging from 25 to 45 feet. On one head alone, a large colony of Paguritta coral crabs has taken over former wormholes. Spiny lobsters, moray eels, and purple urchins like to live underneath the shelves hovering above the sea floor. Some of the wrecks are in as little as 25 ft of water. More, The Eagle Its hard to tell which part of the Cayman Salvager is more interesting, the 187 feet of artificial reef in a little less than 90 feet of high visibility water, or the story of how it got there. Benwood wreck: Decent shallow wreck dive - See 303 traveler reviews, 37 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. In this guide, weve collected our 20 favorite dive sites from across the Sunshine State and compiled them here. Shallow It is the largest artificial reef in the world and an unmissable experience when scuba diving in Florida. Seasoned wreck divers can penetrate the ships cavernous hold. Cable Crossing The signature wreck of the Lower Keys is a 210-ft (64-m) coastal freighter sunk intentionally on Dec. 5, 1998. Keep a lookout for hawksbill turtles munching on the corals covering the wreck. A slight descent through a shallow tunnel leads to an inner lagoon whose reflective qualities inspired the sites name. Make It Happen Jacks Diving Locker (jacksdivinglocker.com) can give you a map (for a self-guided dive) or include it as part of a multiple-dive boat trip. Key Largo reefs and wrecks along with the cleanest and clearest water of the Florida Keys are a fish watchers Dream dive destination. Shallow The sharks are big, curious and hungry, so close encounters are common (and, need we say, exhilarating). The depth of the wreck and its proximity to Gulf Stream currents can make this a challenging dive, and is best left for divers with some experience. Two thousand years ago, King Herod built the city of Caesarea; today you can dive its ruins. Shallow Dives Depths range from 50-65ft (15-20m), so the dive profiles are perfect for beginner divers. She is the oldest shipwreck on the Shipwreck Trail, with the mystique of a Spanish treasure shipwreck to draw divers and snorkelers alike. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. As long as youre cool with that, all thats left is to hang out and enjoy the show. If the season is right, you can even bag a couple spiny lobster on your way back to shore. Make It Happen Dickys Place, on Garove island, is accessible only by live-aboard. The dive itself is great, but what makes this place special is its proximity to other good beginner dive sites. Topping off a dramatic wall, the sun-washed spurs and grooves ripple with light, and temperatures stay comfortably in the 80s. Benwood Wreck- Ultimate Diving Guide 2022. If free parking isnt available, pay to park at the adjacent Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Scuttling crabs, cucumbers, and mindless pink meanies and moon jellyfish arent difficult to find. Today, it attracts a healthy population of marine life from shimmering schools of silversides to massive grouper lurking in its shadows. Go Now Salt Cay Divers, saltcaydivers.tc. Copyright 2023 Scuba Diving. Whether its just a stop along your dive trip, or the focal point of your adventure, the Panhandle is not to be missed. Your boat comes with fresh drinking water and ice. Best shallow shipwreck of Florida Keys Review of Benwood wreck Reviewed August 19, 2014 If you are there mainly for the shipwreck you will not see much because there is not much left of the ship. Florida The structure of the 220-year-old HMS Endymion is long gone, but cannons, ballast stones and a trio of 12-foot anchors remain. The ships range in size from small tugboats, to coal freighters, to the truly massive USS Orinsky aircraft carrier that has its own section later in the guide. Shipwreck uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores being investigated Discovering the Wonders of Mexico's Cenotes for the First Time, Apeks Announces New DSX Technical Dive Computer, How Marine Animals Are Playing a Vital Role in Saving Our Planet. The rippled white-sand bottom of Tiger Beach provides a dramatic stage for one of the premier shark dives in the world. Afternoon 2-tank dive trips cater to our certified divers who want to explore the shallow reefs and wrecks of Key Largo in the Upper Keys National Sanctuary. Surrounded by nearly 30 mooring balls, the reef is at most in 25-30 feet of water. The goal of the project, sponsored by the Ocean Rescue Alliance and run by the 1000 Mermaid Artificial Reef Project is to promote eco-tourism and responsible diving. A merchant freighter, the Benwood was carrying cargo between Tampa, Florida and Norfolk, Virginia. On most dives, you can expect to see barracuda cruising the decks and several large goliath grouper milling about. It boasts a history rich inartifacts and fossils, and even some with connections leading to the Smithsonian Institute. Get 5 two-tank boat dives, but pay for only 3, with every 6-day unlimited tank package. We gave our Dive Team one job: Even more impressive than the springs, are the rivers. Not too far away lies a navy ship known as the USS Alligator. Benwood Wreck- Ultimate Diving Guide This archipelago has a reputation as a great place to get stuck for a while, according to the locals, theres only three things to do in the Keys: fish, drink, and dive. Here you go, now you should be all set for your next dive trip to Florida. Known by many names including, simply, The Passage, this site is a Raja Ampat legend. Within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary lies a trail of historic shipwrecks, scattered along the coral reefs and buried in the sandy shallows a few miles off shore. 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project & Gallery, How to Hold Your Breath Longer Underwater, 5 Easy Ways To Support Marine Life Conservation, Scuba Diving Magazine Editors Recall Why They Learned to Dive, 10 Tips for Traveling Solo on a Scuba Vacation, Make a Statement by Carrying a PADI AWARE Certification Card, 8 Things You Should Never Do Immediately After Diving, 8 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Balloon Releases and Sky Lanterns. It does not make the product pricier for you. The Florida Panhandle refers to the stretch of land along the northwestern most part of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Travel time to the dive sites is normally 30-45 minutes. Sunk in 1990, its down around 90 to 110 feet. Joseph L. Meek Liberty Ship Depth: 80-95ft GPS Location: Latitude 30 16.384 N Longitude 87 09.574 W The Joseph L. Meek, a 480 foot long Liberty ship, was built for the Maritime Commission by the Oregon War Industries Ship Building Company in 1942. Trumpet fish can often be seen hiding amongst the gorgonians, and along the shore facing ledges, blennies and other small reef creatures are present in large numbers. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. In the rest of the guide we provide a cursory overview of the regions we grouped our dives by, and what kind of sites and conditions you can generally expect from them. A nine-night signature itinerary is $3,795. Broward County is a hotspot for healthy, shallow reefs. Chromatic tarpon and eagle rays dart through have also been known to hang out in the area. Key West diving also offers a great rarity for divers: a shallow wreck dive. To Explore Historic Wrecks: Pensacola , Destin and Panama City. The pilings of the inlet allow for a variety of tropical reef fish to congregate, and the sandy eel grass surrounding the area is famed bymacro photographers. And the easy-to-access openings to the barge house schools of snappers, grunts and camera-ready angelfish. SS Copenhagen WebThe iconic Florida Keys wreck dive, the Spiegel Grove, has been a must dive for Advanced Divers, Wreck Divers, and the occasional Open Water diver (if conditions are perfect) since the ship was sank in 2002 as part of an Artificial Reef project in the National Marine Sanctuary. Diveable areas like Rainbow River, even though they completely defy the normal expectations of a dive experience, should be on any serious scuba fanatics list. Hammerhead Reef is often touted as one of the finest places in the Miami area todrift dive. This site also features a 75 foot tugboat wreck that attracts larger ocean life. Sunk in 2002, the 510ft (155m) U.S. Navy Landing Ship Dock landed on its starboard side, and in 2005, Hurricane Dennis placed the wreck upright. While proper dive training is essential to enjoying these wrecks safely, they are all located at depths that novice and experienced divers alike can feel comfortable with. More, The North America Under a bridge may not seem like the ideal place for an abundance of marine life. 4 Cozumel Colorful and Easy to Reach. Yet just a few feet lower, the sponges and corals erupt in colorful reef displays. Diving Optimal diving conditions are June through August. Dive Florida The reef lives in waters as shallow as five feet and as deep as 50 feet. Aside from the tropical fish you would see anywhere else in the Gulf, spotted eagle rays and sharks are frequent visitors to the reef and to the shelf below. A second shipwreck has been uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores after the area suffered severe erosion during both hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Enjoy a shore divers paradise in the best way at Bonaire's #1 dive resort! Another of the artificial reefs of the Keys, The Eagle is another example of how well placed aids can create spectacular reefs that rocks cant. In 20 feet of water, four miles south-southeast of Duck Key, lie the remains of a three-masted iron-rigged and reinforced wooden-hull bark. One step, two steps youre in. Dive These 5 shallow shipwrecks have become homes for numerous sea animals as well as destinations for divers drawn to history. Try not to be too surprised if a half-ton beachmaster sneaks up behind you and lets out a deafening bark just inches from your head. The protected reef boasts at least 189 fish species, according to local surveys. Diving Joseph L. Meek Liberty Ship. Conditions on the Shipwreck Trail sites vary from easy dives in shallow water to deeper dives of l00 feet or more where swift currents may be encountered. WebThe South East Florida Reef Tract extends from Miami northward to Palm Beach. The underwater sculptures are made of sustainable concrete and cast from real people. And while all the elements combine to create a surreal scene, if you time your dive correctly, youll get an added bonus as the seascape is lit by intense shafts of light squeezing through the congestion above. Beat the crowds here and you'll enjoy all of it Spearing Florida Keys fish can be relatively easy or very challenging, depending on what youre going after. The Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys While its hard to live up to the coral quality of the Keys, there are some truly spectacular opportunities for diving around Miami. Its a flourishing patch reef mixed with eelgrasses hosting a healthy assortment of juvenile reef fish, all in under 30 feet. Situated in the triangle of the SE Gulf of Mexico that makes up Marco Island, Everglades City and Key West is the Department of Defense Air Force Relay Tower Reefs. As mentioned above, lobsters have been observed gathering in large numbers near the top of the reef. Moored nearby, the City of Washington was damaged by debris and shrapnel. Cruises begin at $2,849 for a seven-day itinerary. Protected from the brunt of ocean currents by the horseshoe-shaped remains of a volcanic caldera, the sloping profile of this shallow, isolated bay provides varied habitats for an array of critters. The greater Miami area is for those looking for a place where they can have maximum accessibility and the freedom to dive on their own time without compromising on culture and nightlife. In 1985, theRigs to Reefsprogram sank five decommissioned oil platforms off Hallandale Beach (between Fort Lauderdale and Miami).
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