Blue Heron Bridge is host to an abundance of tropical life in all stages of development. Though it seems like a rather unlikely dive site, situated along the Palm Beach intercoastal waterway and nearly underneath an overpass, this aquatic park routinely makes best of lists for the whole United States. What remains in the ocean floor has become a home for a beautiful variety of sea life. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. With an estimated 10,000 visitors per year, it is by far the most popular underwater preserve in the state. An underwater guide is available for each site on the Shipwreck Trail, providing the shipwreck and mooring buoy positions, history, a site map, and information about marine life divers might encounter. Please help protect the sites on the Shipwreck Trail, and all the sanctuarys maritime heritage resources, so that they may be enjoyed by future generations. With the bow resting on its port side in 85 feet of water and stern (still upright) in 60 feet, the wreck is the Bracs most coveted dive site. Florida Keys Wreck Guide Shipwreck uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores being investigated Those who look into crevices might be rewarded with the occasional octopus. The Thunderbolt was intentionally sunk on March 6, 1986, as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association project. The site is another good opportunity for beginners to get multiple boat dives, and is part of the widely praised Molasses Reef. This artificial reef is joined by a large section of pipe and the remains of a small lighthouse. Best Shipwrecks to Scuba Dive - Top Depths range from 50-65ft (15-20m), so the dive profiles are perfect for beginner divers. The water temperature in Florida can vary seasonally from 69F to 86F. Riviera Beach, just north of the West Palm Beach airport, is home to one of Floridas diving treasures, Blue Heron Bridge. Nearby are a few more sites such as Horseshoe Reef that allow the opportunity to hammer out a couple shallow water dives. Sign up for Scuba Divings weekly email and never miss another story. Shore dives are not really an option in the Florida Keys because the water is too shallow. What if you spent your entire dive in the shallows? This 15-foot site fizzes like a bottle of New Years Eve bubbly, caused by a venting thermal fumarole on the ocean floor. Go Now Dive St. Vincent, divestvincent.com, Dry Tortugas National Park, Gulf of Mexico Bottom times can easily run over an hour, with a maximum depth of 25ft (8m), and visibility at an impressive 200ft (60m). The gorgeous location and variety of activities makes Ginnie Springs one of the top visited freshwater dive sites in Florida. There are over 70 wrecks to dive off the southern coast of Florida, and some are close enough so divers can see multiple wrecks in a single dive. Grouper feasting on the bait balls have also been known to roll through the area. Nearly two decades later, the City of Washington sank when the tug towing her ran aground. Admit it, this has happened to you before: surfacing to a beautiful, shallow reef, but with only enough air for a three-minute safety stop, you spend your time regretting not coming up sooner. 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. On the way to deeper water, a storm struck and broke the ship up. Dry Tortugas National Park is a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Mexico 70 miles from Key West. Florida Dive Sites scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. Key West Spearfishing 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. Depth: 80-95ft The dive was in water considerably more shallow than we are used to operating in, so light and murky conditions posed a unique challenge. The corals are open and healthy, the fish active. Chinchorro Banks, Mexico. This impressive ship sits 6 miles (9.6km) off the shore of Key Largo. Aside from having coastline on both the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic, the Florida Peninsula also supports some impressive chains of sand and coral islands, as well as one of the most productive freshwater aquifers in the world. The Amesbury was an escort for destroyers in World War II. But a few dives are worth it to spend some time to explore every wreck. Florida is an incredibly unique and diverse landmass- between the everglades and the keys Florida is home to over 700 endemic vertebrate species, countless more spineless, and the largest number of endemic plants of anywhere in the States. Ocean depths from the shoreline to the reef rarely reach 20 feet. Discover Flores Underwater - Book Now for Free Nitrox with Arenui Liveaboard! As a good buddy you join him in ascending, reconciled to missing out on the remaining 50 minutes of your dive. The famed Molasses Reef also lies within the sanctuarys boundaries. Visibility and conditions are variable, as is water temperature. She was intentionally sank as an artificial reef on May 17, 2006. Diving In Similan Islands Khao Lak Area, The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, Blackfin Paddle Boards: The Best Paddle boards from Blackfin, The Best All-inclusive Resorts in the World, All-Inclusive Resorts in Turks and Caicos, How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? And dont be surprised to find an octopus or two patrolling the sand. The Gulf Stream current often flows close to the shoreline bathing the coral reefs in clear, warm water. Florida Keys has some of the best Shallow Wrecks in Key Largo to enjoy while Scuba Diving. Go Now Salt Cay Divers, saltcaydivers.tc. At this theater, be prepared for a lot of action as the chum and bait box lures the tigers in. Konas stair-step entry guides divers immediately into the rutted undersea lavascape at famous Honaunau Bay, home to some of Hawaiis most extensive shallow-water coral reefs. Collectively, they make up South Floridas largest artificial reef. If youre lucky you might even see a pair of spotted eagle rays floating along with the tide. 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. 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. Make It Happen Bilikiki Cruises (bilikiki.com), with both the Bilikiki and Spirit of the Solomons, regularly visits Mirror Pond. The Amesbury was decommissioned and slated to become an artificial reef. Its hard to say whichFlorida Keyhas thebestdiving. Spanish Anchor is a great place to get close to the coral. Even more impressive than the springs, are the rivers. Shipwreck uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores being investigated One of the final acts that triggered the Spanish-American War was the destruction of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. WebNavy divers were sent from Key West to study and report on the wreck. The Benwood Wreck has excellent day and night diving all year long. 5 Riviera Maya Land of The cenotes. Broward County is a hotspot for healthy, shallow reefs. Spearing Florida Keys fish can be relatively easy or very challenging, depending on what youre going after. With gangs of photogenic stingrays, no wonder this site is called The Worlds Best 12-Foot Dive. Go Now dive365cayman.com/specials, Champagne Reef, Dominica Its relatively calm and shallow waters harbor a wide variety of brightly colored blennies and small crustaceans. WebThe wreck is a short boat ride from The Cayman Salvage Master, and the relatively shallow depth (19 metres/65 feet) make Joes Tug a popular second/afternoon dive. Sites like Dickys Place in Papua New Guinea (10 feet) or Two Steps in Hawaii (20 feet) along with 18 others offer hours of diving pleasure at safety-stop depths. Your boat comes with fresh drinking water and ice. Most Keys reef divers log a maximum depth of 20 to 30 feet. Timed correctly, you can get in 90 to 120 minutes of diving, depending upon conditions and your air consumption (which, at these depths, is likely not an issue). Before sinking, the ships hatches were opened and the holds pumped full of water to sink the ship. Key West Spearfishing The site is radiant with natural light. 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. The calm grassy bottom is a nursery for juvenile reef fish, where octopi, flounder, skates and rays hide in the sand. For those looking for a more unique snorkeling experience, the USS Strength Wreck is a must-visit spot. Sea fans, sponges and soft corals reach almost to the surface. Theres a ton of beachfront rental properties, and a strong shore diving presence in the community. Action continues throughout the day, so its all a matter of enjoying the first two-hour dive, popping up for a water break and tank change, then heading back down again. No Diving signs should be placed around all above ground pools. 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 includes approximately 70 nautical square miles of adjacent Atlantic Ocean waters. As mentioned above, lobsters have been observed gathering in large numbers near the top of the reef. Clear water and abundant marine life make Joes Tug a popular destination for wide-angle photographers. Florida Go slow for encounters with seahorses, plenty of pike blennies, and flying gurnards. Accident Florida One step, two steps youre in. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. WebUSS Spiegel Grove Wreck (LSD-32) A Florida Keys diving trip wouldnt be complete without stopping by the USS Spiegel Grove wreck. Florida There are over 70 wrecks to dive off the southern coast of Florida, and some are close enough so divers can see multiple wrecks in a single dive. Excellent Shallow Shipwreck Diving In Our reefs are all teaming with fish life. Experience the ultimate luxury diving in Flores with Arenui Boutique Liveaboard - Book now for Free Nitrox! The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Duane lies upright on a sandy bottom in 120 feet of water one mile south of Molasses Reef off Key Largo. Scuba Diving Options The eight-day trip, offered in late June, is priced at $1,795 for a standard room. More, The Duane Dive Another great option forshore divingon the Panhandle, the three reefs inside Navarre Beach Sanctuary require a manageable swim to reach, but are certainly worth the effort. Thirty miles beyond is the wreck of the Bay Ronto, which sits upside down in 100 feet of water. WebWreck diving is also available. More, The North America SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu 6. 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. Fujikawa Maru, Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon 5. Key Largo Reefs Spearing Florida Keys fish can be relatively easy or very challenging, depending on what youre going after. And the easy-to-access openings to the barge house schools of snappers, grunts and camera-ready angelfish. WebKey West, Florida is such an amazing place to visit for awesome scuba diving right off the coast. Ninety-seven percent of South Floridas 200-square-mile With more than 20 statues since 2020, watching this dive site grow will be uplifting and beautiful as it lies in waters that attract larger fish like barracuda and rays. The Trek includes Miss Patricia, an 85f (25.9m) tug, Miss Karlene, Bens Antenna reef (old radio towers), Billys Barge, limestone boulders, and more. Many consider the Duane to be the perfect wreck dive. Best Scuba Diving in Florida Then it hits you: This is so much better than it was down deep. More, The Eagle If youre planning on diving in the Keys, expect to be dazzled every time you duck under the water. There are a lot of extraordinary places to dive in Florida. The hypnotic show becomes more apparent as we descend to a shallow dive site just 22 feet deep in Biscayne National Park. After she sank, the Benwood was used as a practice bombing target and salvaged. Enjoy a shore divers paradise in the best way at Bonaire's #1 dive resort! And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! The Spiegel Grove is a top contender among the numerous artificial reefs in Florida. Though encrusted with growth, many of the cannons details remain clear, including knobs on the breeches of several. Keep an eye out for wide varieties of turtles, box turtles, massive snapping turtles. Each wreck has its own history, which sometimes includes being intentionally scuttled to create an artificial reef. Shallow Just a giant stride from the resorts dock, the house reef combines junkyard chic with critter heaven. Feel free to explore the tops of the ledges where lobsters like to congregate, or travel to the bottom to investigate any life that might be hiding underneath. Filter by our search tags, or feel free to view the whole list below. Ninety-seven percent of South Floridas 200-square-mile Fins, hoods and danglies are all fair game for fun-loving sea lions that spin, somersault and playfully attack in the shallow waters at the islands edge. A few minutes ago, your buddy gave the surface signal despite the fact that youre only 10 minutes into your dive. 1 Bahamas Life on the Bahia Mar. 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. If you want a truly unique dive experience that emphasizes a diverse ecosystem in an atypical diving environment, Rainbow River may be the place youre looking for. Shallow Drifting along, youll always be within spitting distance of the surface. In terms of North Florida shore diving, the jetties are among the best for anyone who wants to have a quality dive without the commitment of getting out on a boat. Unlimited shore diving is included in the package. The majority of this wreck is intact and can be entered by a diver with enough skill and courage. Why? Combining science, art, and tourism, the 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project & Gallery is an art exhibit and research location. Today, the wreck is home to a variety of marine life, including schools of fish, octopuses, and even barracudas. Key largo has over 100 dives sites. Though technically a cave, operators routinely bring open-water divers to what is considered an intermediate site. A hurricane destroyed the entire fleet after they left Havana with additional passengers and cargo. 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. Anhingas and other diving birds prowl the slow moving water for minnows and other opportunistic treats. If the season is right, you can even bag a couple spiny lobster on your way back to shore. Or floating across sand dollar and seastar gardens as massive bait balls of glass minnows swirl in the emerald waters. Make It Happen Stuart Coves (stuartcoves.com) offers Tiger Beach dives year-round from Old Bahama Bay Resort (oldbahama bay.com) on Grand Bahamas West End. WebDIVE ONLY Depth Range: 95-130 feet Experience: Advanced Trips: Private Charter. As these wrecks are located in water as shallow as 30 feet they provide for long bottom times. Advanced Dive, Offshore DIve, Wreck Diving. This site 150 miles south of Cozumel isnt your average wreck dive. One prime site is the wreck of the Bayronto, a British freighter sunk in a 1919 hurricane. PADI Instructor Thomas had a most pleasurable time as dive guide to our Key Largo Dive Sites Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Big sponges sway gently from any rocky surface. Its easier to talk about what you wont see at Dry Tortugas than what you will. However, the shallow dives are a special scuba experience in South Florida. The high density and quality of shore diving in Broward County is one of South Floridas best kept secrets, and aside from the established sites you can reach from boats, theres endless potential for exploration for low commitment shore dives that you can reach from the beach. If you dont get the tigers, gangs of toothy, photogenic lemon sharks maraud the bait box, as well as reef sharks, shy nurse sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, rays, starfish, octopus, and more can be seen in water averaging six to 10 feet deep, with maximum depths of 20 feet. Best of all, many wrecks are in shallow enough water to free dive. These 5 shallow shipwrecks have become homes for numerous sea animals as well as destinations for divers drawn to history. Named for the cargo it was carrying when it sank in Key West, the Tile Wreck is in extremely shallow water, resting only 5-15 feet below the surface so you can reach down and touch it. 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. Wreck Dive: U-2513 Revealed 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. Dive 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. With every 6-day unlimited tank package, enjoy 5 boat dives for the price of 3 - a. If youre a cave diver who wants to explore the networks, check out Ginnie Springs, if youre a new diver and to approximate the cave experience, check out Devils Den. The protected, sunlit canyons feature healthy coral growth and a veritable aquarium of Hawaiian reef fish. Scuba Diving in 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 major features of this ship, locally known as the Conrad and believed to be the Adelaide Baker, are scattered over a square quarter-mile area. 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. The American Red Cross recommends a minimum of 9 feet of water depth for head first dives including dives from pool decks. Or poking your head through a collapsed section of cave wall, and staring into a few million years of prehistory? Key largo has over 100 dives sites. Moored nearby, the City of Washington was damaged by debris and shrapnel. If free parking isnt available, pay to park at the adjacent Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Florida Benwood wreck: Decent shallow wreck dive - See 303 traveler reviews, 37 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. Shallow On most dives, you can expect to see barracuda cruising the decks and several large goliath grouper milling about. While its hard to live up to the coral quality of the Keys, there are some truly spectacular opportunities for diving around Miami. 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. But the real draw to Crystal River (90 mins north of Tampa) comes in the form of 10ft-long gentle giants. Inshore Dives Many in-ground pools are 10 feet deep in the diving end. The Miami area is famous for its high-class restaurants, cultural arts attractions, and being a high-class metropolitan area with some attitude. Go Now Buddy Dive Dominica, www.buddydivedominica.com, Edithburgh Jetty, Australia She now lies intact and upright on a sand bottom in 120 feet of water four miles south of Marathon and Key Colony Beach. 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. Fish, birds, and turtles are as common here as in marine environments, but thats where the familiarity stops. If you find a good deal on DIVEIN, you click to the retailer, and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. Wreck The site takes its name from an amazing swim through that fills nearly completely up with Atlantic Silverside minnows during the summer. When you think of Florida, you probably imagine crowded beaches and the routine bustle of Miami nightlife. WebFlorida Springs are world renown for cave & cavern diving. Browse information and trips on PADI Travel and contact a PADI Dive Shop to start your next adventure. Its not uncommon for sharks and rays to pass through the open waters surrounding the coral heads. Over 50% of diving accidents involve the use of alcohol. Its also a historically significant area, littered with century old shipwrecks and masonry. Key Largo Dry Rocks, the Minnow Caves area in particular is one of the more popular sites in the Keys alongside the nearby Grecian Rocks and Christ of the Abyss. There are three different crystal clear dives sites at Ginnie Springs: The Ginnie Ballroom, The Devils Spring System, and Santa Fe River. Florida This 180ft barge is an artificial reef that accidentally landed upside down. The Amesbury was built for military combat and is better known in Key West as Alexander's Wreck. Its a flourishing patch reef mixed with eelgrasses hosting a healthy assortment of juvenile reef fish, all in under 30 feet. This site also features a 75 foot tugboat wreck that attracts larger ocean life. A second shipwreck has been uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores after the area suffered severe erosion during both hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Whether youre a novice diver who wants to see as much as they can while staying as close to the surface as possible, or a grizzled tech pro looking to explore insides of the largest artificial reef in the world, the Florida peninsula offers ample opportunities for every experience level. On Earth Day, lets celebrate the oceans climate heroes. Though it served many purposes, the former buoy tender is most famous for playing a role in the Mariel boatlift. Theres a solution. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. A second shipwreck has been uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores after the area suffered severe erosion during both hurricanes Ian and Nicole. This morning PADI Instructor Mike enjoyed teaching Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty with one student and Advanced Open Water Diver with another diver. Key Largo reefs and wrecks along with the cleanest and clearest water of the Florida Keys are a fish watchers Dream dive destination. We see big nurse sharks, reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, goliath groupers, barracudas and uncountable varieties of colourful fish here. Excellent Shallow Shipwreck Diving In The Florida Keys is one reason why scuba divers flock to Key Largo. Arrow crabs and garden eels like to congregate on the sandy bottom in the breaks in the coral. Benwood Wreck- Ultimate Diving Guide Chronicled by many, and detailed by David Doubilet in National Geographic in 2007, this is a true bucket-list dive. Make It Happen Los Islotes is currently visited as part of an extended Baja Nature itinerary by the Solmar V (solmarv.com). MV FeBrina (walindi.com), out of Walindi Resort, includes the Witu islands and Dickys on its signature itineraries, visiting that region April through June and September through November. Inshore Dives SS Copenhagen, a 19th Century British cargo steamer, struck a reef in 25 feet of water off present-day Lauderdale-By-The-Sea on May 26, 1900. Game fish like wahoo, on the other hand, can be fast-moving targets. SHALLOW DIVING In 2006, the sunken aircraft carrier, nicknamed the Great Carrier Reef, was purposely sunk in 200ft (60m) of water. Additionally, you can observe corals that have been outplanted as an effort to restore the Florida Reef Tract. Florida Dive into the earth to experience an exhilarating adventure. 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. Once youve had your fill of 40 Cannons, set sail for other sites in the area reportedly the western hemispheres largest coral-ringed lagoon, Mexicos Chinchorro Banks Federal Biosphere Reserve contains between 30 and 200 wrecks, many quite shallow as well. The shallow waters of the Dry Tortugas have lured hundreds of ships to their watery graves; now they lure divers keen on experiencing crystal-clear waters and relaxed diving. The overall feel of the area is a little more laid back than southern Florida, geographically its basically part of Georgia so you wont miss out on the southern hospitality. Dive Conditions can be breezy from November through April, and none of these wrecks have protection from the prevailing winds. Benwood wreck: Decent shallow wreck dive - See 303 traveler reviews, 37 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. WebThe Miami Wreck Trek. Its relatively shallow and very easy to access and with the exception of tidal restrictions diving here is as easy as parking the car. The site is a great option for people looking to avoid the crowds, and an awesome novelty dive when the minnows are in full season. There are now approximately ninety artificial reefs, including, ships, concrete modules, offshore oil platforms, and more. The massive minnow balls are definitely the biggest draw to this area, and are enough in themselves to make the dive worth checking out. In addition to the more obvious shrimpfish that bob up and down among the grasses, youll find a bounty of pipefish, ghost pipefish, seahorses, razorfish, anemonefish, eels and crazy crustaceans of great variety, to name just a few. The sanctuary is one of the best Key Largo attractions if you fancy a day trip by boat. Florida has always been known for its bustling tourism industry, and there are no exceptions to this in the dive world. Aside from housing the unfinished maritime fortress Fort Jefferson, the park holds 104 acres of preserved tropical savanna and marine sanctuaries. Places like Kings Spring are must-visit freshwater sites if youre scuba diving in Florida. Among waving gardens of eelgrass and bleached limbs of trees youll find all manner of freshwater fish ranging in size from smallish bluegill to looming and toothed alligator gar. Make It Happen Phil Foster Park provides parking and a convenient entry point for day diving, so call up your buddy and head over (after checking tide tables). The wreck is one of 11 Florida underwater archaeological preserves; it became the state's fifth shipwreck preserve in June 1994 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. While the bars and the beaches are great, what about watching coral crusted ghost ships rise out of the blue toward you? This is how we pay ourselves. The quality of the coral here has been compared to that of more tropical areas, and definitely is at the top of the class for the Lauderdale area.