Home » Outdoor & Recreation » Scuba Diving » Florida Keys Wreck Diving

Florida Keys Wreck Diving

© Linda Gettmann

The Keys have something for every diver who likes to explore wrecks and their artificial reef habitats. From the deep and intact Coast Guard Cutters' Duane and Bibb, the newest artificial reef--the Speigel Grove sunk in 2002, to the shallow scattered Benwood, the Keys have an enormous variety of wreck dives for all skill levels.

BENWOOD-Down since 1942, the Benwood lies scattered about in 25-45 feet of water near Elbow Reef at Key Largo. This W.W.II freighter was dodging German U-boats off the Florida coast when she collided with another ship. The Benwood was run aground and later salvaged before being blown apart to eliminate a boating hazard. The bow is the most intact piece, home to large schools of Porkfish and grunts. Resident lobsters, moray eels, and glassy sweepers are found lurking in crevices and crannies throughout the wreckage. Sergeant Majors and Goatfish school nearby and there are dozens of Christmas Tree Worms attached to the fire coral on her hull. This wreck is shallow enough for all skill levels and is a great night dive.

DUANE--The 137 foot US Coast Guard Cutter was intentionally sunk in 1987 along with her sister ship, the Bibb. The Duane sits upright in 120 feet of water a mile south of Molasses Reef. Both of these wrecks are considered advanced dives due to the depth and usual strong current in the Gulf Stream. The crow's nest extends up to about 50 feet, surrounded by schooling barracuda and encrusted with sponges and fire coral. The bridge is at 70 feet, now home to massive schools of grunts. Wide doorways and portholes provide diver access and wonderful photo opportunities. The ship railings are vibrant with encrusting sponges. Large schools of chubbs, jacks, barracuda, and smaller tropicals make the Duane a serene and beautiful artificial reef.

BIBB-Situated about a half mile from the Duane, the Coast Guard Cutter Bibb lies on her starboard side in 130 feet of water. The deck railing is at 90 feet and the water conditions are usually the same as the Duane. Owing to the clear Gulf Stream, the visibility at both wrecks is usually very good, however, the current runs at a pretty good clip, so this is recommended for experienced divers only. The ship's open areas collect a phenomenal fish population. Many dives on these two wrecks are needed to see everything; because of the depth, bottom time is limited.

CAYMAN SALVAGE MASTER--Built in 1936 as a buoy tender, this 187-foot vessel has a colorful history as a freighter and Cuban refugee vessel. After spending several years tied up to a government dock after she was confiscated, the vessel sank in place and was then refloated. In 1985 she was being towed out to sea for burial when she sank in about 90 feet of water resting on her side. Later that year, Hurricane Katrina lifted the vessel upright. The hull is intact with the deck at 70 feet. The hatches are open and their dark interior is home to huge Jewfish and moray eels.