Barracuda Reef is a healthy ecosystem surprisingly close to the crowded beaches near Fort Lauderdale. Spearing Florida Keys fish can be relatively easy or very challenging, depending on what youre going after. Cuarenta Canones (40 Cannons) Devils Den, Blue Grotto, and Ginnie Springs all offer a relatively similar experience diving in caverns filled with water from underground aquifers. 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. Florida Joseph L. Meek Liberty Ship. Diving The Amesbury was decommissioned and slated to become an artificial reef. Its impossible to talk about diving in Florida without mentioning Blue Heron Bridge. In 2012 the Florida State Departments Underwater Archeology Team launched a project that sunk 12 different ships at a variety of depths along the length of the Florida Panhandle. Our reefs are all teaming with fish life. As you enter the successively darker chambers, your light may very well illuminate a dozen or more legs as your buddies float on the surface inside the large air pockets that top off each of the four. Diving 5 Riviera Maya Land of The cenotes. 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. Florida Feel free to charter the boat for your group if these sites appeal to your needs! 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. 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. Shallow Wrecks for Less Experienced Divers The signature wreck of the Lower Keys is a 210-ft (64-m) coastal freighter sunk intentionally on Dec. 5, 1998. WebSHALLOW DIVE SITES Shallow Reef Diving on South Florida Reefs The following sites are used primarily for training dives or for snorkeling siteswe do not regularly visit them. 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. On July 10, 1917, while being towed by a tug, the City of Washington ran aground and was a total loss within minutes. If youre lucky you might even see a pair of spotted eagle rays floating along with the tide. Ninety-seven percent of South Floridas 200-square-mile We see big nurse sharks, reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, goliath groupers, barracudas and uncountable varieties of colourful fish here. As mentioned above, lobsters have been observed gathering in large numbers near the top of the reef. 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. WebUSS Oriskany. Key West Spearfishing 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. SS Copenhagen A merchant freighter, the Benwood was carrying cargo between Tampa, Florida and Norfolk, Virginia. Whether its just a stop along your dive trip, or the focal point of your adventure, the Panhandle is not to be missed. Angelfish and parrotfish cruise through holes in the wreckage, and good sized sponges dot the exterior. Depth: 80-95ft The rubble waller is made up of broken pieces from the fort along with miscellaneous vehicles and machinery, making for a series of eclectic and unlikely habitats for the resident fish. Shipwreck uncovered in Daytona Beach Shores being investigated This tugboat was originally destined to be sunk off Miami. Today, it attracts a healthy population of marine life from shimmering schools of silversides to massive grouper lurking in its shadows. WebShallow Dive Pelagic Drift Dive Blue Heron Bridge Its impossible to talk about diving in Florida without mentioning Blue Heron Bridge. Tank PM Shallow Reef/Wreck Dive Trip Each wreck has its own history, which sometimes includes being intentionally scuttled to create an artificial reef. The Amesbury was built for military combat and is better known in Key West as Alexander's Wreck. Scuba Diving may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The Benwood Wreck has excellent day and night diving all year long. 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. The most traveled passageway leads divers through shallow hard-coral heads alive with critters. Chinchorro Banks, Mexico. SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu 6. Aside from housing the unfinished maritime fortress Fort Jefferson, the park holds 104 acres of preserved tropical savanna and marine sanctuaries. With a constant temp of 72F (22C), a 3mm wetsuit is all thats needed to explore the 50ft (15m) spring and its multiple swim-throughs and air pockets. Blue Heron Bridge is host to an abundance of tropical life in all stages of development. The trip will include the use of air tanks, weights, and weight belts. This World War II-era ship was intentionally sunk off the coast of Panama City in 1993 to create an artificial reef. She is the oldest shipwreck on the Shipwreck Trail, with the mystique of a Spanish treasure shipwreck to draw divers and snorkelers alike. Roatan, Honduras. 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. An experienced and rushed diver can see everything in one dive. The Duane sits upright on the sandy bottom at 120 feet offering nearly 70 feet of relief. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Florida The majority of this wreck is intact and can be entered by a diver with enough skill and courage. Shallowest Shipwrecks What if you spent your entire dive in the shallows? Find the best and most popular Dive Sites in Florida. There are some great shallow wrecks for novice divers to enjoy at top liveaboard destinations around the world. With walls on both sides, these coral hallways twist about, with chance encounters at every turn. We gave our Dive Team one job: Its in Key Largos Marine Sanctuary and near French reef, just off the coast of Key Largo in the Florida Keys. Florida 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. One of the final acts that triggered the Spanish-American War was the destruction of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. Though the area lacks the diversity and the dynamic quality of the coral reefs to the south, Panhandle waters have just as wide an array of different fish and invertebrate species as the rest of the state. Spanish Anchor would also make a great site to try for anight dive, with octopus and spider crabs being common as the sun goes down. SS Yongala, Great Barrier Reef, Australia 2. Devils Den, Floridas only underground prehistoric spring, is located in Williston, Florida. But the only spitting will be the archerfish picking off their prey on the brances above. 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. But one of Floridas most iconic wrecks, the Spiegel Grove, is located off Key Largo in 130ft (39m) of water. Your boat comes with fresh drinking water and ice. But its theChrist of the Abyssdive site that is worth mentioning. The dives in and around this park range from beginner snorkeling on shallow reefs to advanced drift dives on the edge of the Gulf Stream in 100 feet or more of water with currents in excess of two knots. 3 Cuba Gardens of The Queen. There are a lot of extraordinary places to dive in Florida. Thirty miles beyond is the wreck of the Bay Ronto, which sits upside down in 100 feet of water. Get 5 two-tank boat dives, but pay for only 3, with every 6-day unlimited tank package. The calm grassy bottom is a nursery for juvenile reef fish, where octopi, flounder, skates and rays hide in the sand. With over 30 dive sites ranging from 6-90ft (2-27m), this is one of Floridas biggest and best reefs. Keep a lookout for hawksbill turtles munching on the corals covering the wreck. WebHowever, for many visiting scuba divers, the strong appeal of visiting Key West is for its wreck diving. Shallow The San Pedro, a member of the 1733 Spanish treasure fleet caught by a hurricane in the Straits of Florida, sank in 18 feet of water one mile south of Indian Key. From shallow coral gardens, to steep wall dives and deep technical wrecks, theres more than a little bit of everything. 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. With nearly 1,350 miles of coastline making up the state ofFlorida, and an abundance of freshwater springs and lakes to explore, the Sunshine State doesnt skimp when it comes to places to dive. Twin Ledges is another Lauderdale reef with incredibly good health when you consider where its located. Dive sites consist of shallow reefs, deep reefs, drift dives, and wreck dives. By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. Go Now Adelaide Scuba, adelaidescuba.com.au, Endymion Reef, Turks and Caicos The most interesting thing about this site is how quiet and tranquil it can feel in comparison to busier, more traditional reefs. [What You Need to Know], Great dive site for all skill levels, and snorkel accessible, Drive-up parking and easy-entry to the water, Renowned opportunity for macro photography, Opportunity for experienced wreck divers to explore compartments, Coral-covered cable pulley near the front of the boat is locally renowned, Depth and currents make this for divers with some experience, Unique dive opportunity in the middle of Florida, Drift dive through a river in easy currents, Good dive for beginners and experienced divers alike, 12 Ships were scuttled off of the Florida Panhandle specifically for dive-related artificial reefs, Difficulty ranges from shallow novice dives to deep and technical excursions, Created in an effort to increase habitat options and generate tourism following the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, Ancient limestone aquifers provide a truly spectacular diving experience, Great place to do some unique diving for beginners, Uncommonly clear water is accommodating for snorkelers, Good wreck dive for open water divers with a little bit of experience, Artificial reef made up of an interesting variety of objects, Located close to a couple more wrecks for a multi-dive day, One of the best artificial reefs in the Florida area, Good dive for advanced divers who feel comfortable with some depth, Among the highest quality reefs in the gulf of mexico, Wide variety of diving opportunities for all skill levels, Unique opportunity to dive in a historic area, Dramatic coral shelf hosts a wide variety of life, Wreck is at a depth of 70-115 feet, experience is necessary, Awesome coral coverage on the majority of the wreck, Interesting view into the split compartments of the ship, Among the best beginner dive sites in Florida, Close to a number of other good beginner reefs. The Amesbury was an escort for destroyers in World War II. 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. Instead it was accidentally driven beneath the waves where it currently rests. A PADI Worldwide Company. 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. 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. wreck later in the dive in shallower water with a sandy bottom we were definitely on their patch and they were all around us, circling the wreck, crossing above, below and parallel to us, closer now especially when we were stationary doing a stop on the anchor chain. 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. Fujikawa Maru, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia Depth: 5 35 m Micronesia is one of the most popular liveaboard wreck diving destinations and the Fujikawa in Truk Lagoon is a great place to start. All manner of invertebrates make an appearance here. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The shallow water can be a great opportunity for nitrox divers to get some serious bottom time. 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. Despite this, the crew assisted in rescuing the survivors of the Maine. The 911ft-long vessel now draws marine life and underwater photographers for its photogenic topography. If youre an underwater photographer with interest in using your macro lens, dont miss out on the hordes of shrimp, crabs, and other small examples of reef life. WebHistory. The Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail 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. Fish, birds, and turtles are as common here as in marine environments, but thats where the familiarity stops. It does not make the product pricier for you. Florida Dive Sites Boat diving is available without time restrictions, but the park is closed to night diving. Moonjellies and other invertebrates float in the waters above the ships as starfish and anemones cling to their bodies. Key Largo Reefs 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. In the Florida Keys, much reef diving is shallow, easy diving. Called the Lembeh Strait of Florida by its legions of fans, this site provides a wealth of critters seldom seen in U.S. waters. If youre around be sure to check out Blue Heron Bridge! Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. It includes approximately 70 nautical square miles of adjacent Atlantic Ocean waters. All of the dive sites we visit are accessed by boat. SHALLOW DIVING scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. Some of the wrecks are in as little as 25 ft of water. Typically these are very good places to explore if you are a new diver, or if you have interest in another of Floridas unique diving experiences. 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. 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. The ledge rises from 10 to 15 feet from the bottom. Spiny lobsters, turtles, green moray eels and the usual cast of reef fish are residents of the area. Make It Happen Arenui the Boutique Live-aboard (thearenui.com) runs trips to Raja Ampat. There you can spend a whole dive puttering around searching out hidden treasures. Theres a ton of beachfront rental properties, and a strong shore diving presence in the community. 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. Stay away from the shallow coralline areas when it becomes choppy. Islamorada is hot-spot for diving in and of itself, and the Wreck of the Eagle ranks among the best dive sites accessible from it. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. WebThis shallow wreck is a popular dive site for divers of all experience levels. Its also a historically significant area, littered with century old shipwrecks and masonry. 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. And dont be surprised to find an octopus or two patrolling the sand. Get a first look at the first-ever Apeks dive computer. Hidden tunnels and grottoes await the adventurous diver. More, The Amesbury The exhibit has not reached its 1000 sculptures goal. 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. Yet just a few feet lower, the sponges and corals erupt in colorful reef displays. places to scuba dive in Florida Shallow Wrecks Key Largo Scuba Diving Dry Tortugas is known for the quality of its coral and the abundance of tropical reef life. Sri Lankan conservationists group mobilizes and educates volunteers to address marine environment concerns in his home country. Spiny lobsters, moray eels, and purple urchins like to live underneath the shelves hovering above the sea floor. And while you might be tempted to have a glass of wine and just stay topside listening to expat Dicky Doyles colorful tales of life in PNG, this small site merits multiple tanks. USS Oriskany, Florida, Hidden underneath the wreck youll see spiny lobster poking their antennae inquisitively out toward you. Diving This is how we pay ourselves. Most Keys reef divers log a maximum depth of 20 to 30 feet. 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. Riviera Beach, just north of the West Palm Beach airport, is home to one of Floridas diving treasures, Blue Heron Bridge. A hurricane destroyed the entire fleet after they left Havana with additional passengers and cargo. Its hard to compile a comprehensive list of the best dive sites in Florida, because that depends so much on what youre looking for. Shallow Dives The massive minnow balls are definitely the biggest draw to this area, and are enough in themselves to make the dive worth checking out. Diving The deeper waters are bountiful enough, but several dives can be spent just in the warm, clear shallows particularly the few feet of water bordering a field of sea grass. Optimal diving conditions are June through August. She lies in 14 feet of water in the sand and grass flats north of Delta Shoals, just east of Sombrero Key Light. Chronicled by many, and detailed by David Doubilet in National Geographic in 2007, this is a true bucket-list dive.
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