South Florida Wrecks
The Gold Cost of South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale has some of the best wreck diving to be found anywhere. In fact, Fort Lauderdale, Florida was named Top Ten World’s Best Wreck Diving, Marine Life and Value Destination by readers of Scuba Diving Magazine. Broward County has created over 112 offshore artificial reefs including the Wreck of the Jim Atria, a 240′ freighter and the Wreck of the Donald McAllister, a New York Harbor Tug. With so many wrecks to dive here inf Ft. Lauderdale, you can scuba dive a different wreck every day for a month and never dive the same wreck twice! With depths of 20′ to 130′ there is a wreck dive for all dive certification levels and interests. Let the experienced staff at Sea Experience assist you in choosing the wreck dive that best suits your needs.
The Wreck of the Tracy (Ken Vitale) 45ft – 70ft
The Tracy was sunk in 1998 in 70 feet of water and lies upright. This wreck is very popular for wreck diving classes with easy penetration into the wreck. The Tracy is attached to the Jay Scutti by a cable and with a well planned dive it is possible to see both wrecks as the Jay Scutti is about 100′-150′ away. Ken Vitale was a well known instructor and on the wreck there is a plaque honoring this well liked local scuba diver.
The Wreck of the Hog Heaven 55ft – 70ft
A 180′ barge sunk 19 Sept. 1986 along with other debris including the Pacific Reef Lighthouse (which is often referred to as the “Jungle Gym” and 1200′ of concrete dredge pipe. Several pieces of barges lie near the SW and NW corners. Tons of fish are found on the Jungle Gym and often several Goliath Groupers are found inside the barge which as a several holes for penetration (watch your head!).
The Wreck of the Mercedes 75ft – 95ft
The 197′ Mercedes was sunk March 30, 1985 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. As a result of Hurricane Andrew and later storms that have hit South Florida, the bow and stern are nearly detached from the rest of the ship and are twisted as much as 45 degrees to starboard. Her bow is to the North East and is tilted up to seaward. Click here for a video of the wreck and adjoining reef.
The Wreck of the Captain Dan 70ft – 110ft
The Captain Dan wreck is an old U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender originally named the “Hollyhock”. She was built in 1937 and during her career not only was she a buoy tender, she also served as an ice breaker in Lake Michigan and a refueling ship for seaplanes in the Bahamas.
She eventually came to South Florida and became a Mission ship and renamed “Good News”. She was sunk in February 1990, part of the Rodeo Reef and renamed in memory of Captain Dan Garnsey. This is a 175′ wreck with prominent superstructure, her bow facing north. The overall depth is 110 feet with the deck at 90 feet and the wheelhouse at 70 feet.
The Wreck of the Robert Edminster 45ft – 70ft
This wreck, in a previous life was a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter named the “Cape Gull”. Sunk in 1989, she is upright on the sand with a slight list to starboard. There is a cable connecting the stern to another wreck called the “Wendy Rossheim” which is about 100ft away.
The Wreck of the Jim Atria 90ft – 135ft
Jim Atria was a developer, scuba diver, and sport fisherman who lived in Broward County. He assisted in the sinking of this vessel because he wanted to show his appreciation for the surrounding community. The ship, a 240-foot Dutch freighter, was originally named Poinciana and was built in 1961. She was later renamed Jim Atria.
The Wreck of the Jay Scutti 55ft – 70ft Click here for Video!
This is an excellent wreck site in only 70 feet of water. The 100-foot harbor tugboat sits between two sleek sailing hulls. The 45-foot Moonshot lies parallel to the Pride. A 40-foot yacht called the B.H. Lake, is 130 feet northeast of the Jay Scutti. Click here for a video tour of the Jay Scutti, the Pride, and the BH Lake.
The Wreck of the Peter B. McAllister 50ft – 75ft
One of two tugs from the McAllister Towing Co. in New York City. This wreck lies in the sand, upright except for a slight starboard list. The bow is North East and the ship is 85′ long.
The Wreck of the Donal G. McAllister 45ft – 75ft
One of two tugs from the McAllister Towing Co. in New York City. Sunk June 23, 1998 as part of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program, this 101-foot former New York harbor boat now lies in 75 feet of water and rises 30 feet off the sea floor.
The Wreck of the Rebel 70ft – 110ft
The wreck of the Rebel lies bow north, on a sand and coral debris bottom. The wreck, formerly the Norwegian “Andrea” is 135′ long. At a federal auction, she was purchased by an environmentalist attorney who gave her over to the Broward County Artificial Reef Program. She was renamed Rebel after the buyer’s dog and sunk to create an artificial reef in 1985.
The Wreck of Tenneco Towers 65ft – 110ft
Tenneco Towers, the largest artificial reef in South Florida, was created in 1985 when the Tenneco Oil Company sank five large oil production platforms. Click here to see a video.
The Wreck of the Pride 45ft – 70ft
The 95-foot long steel hulled sailboat Pride was sunk in November 21, 1987. The Pride is only 100 feet away from the Jay Scutti. This wreck is is attached by a cable to the wreck of the Jay Scutti, so divers can explore both wrecks while using this cable for navigation.
The Wreck of the Merci Jesus 45ft – 70ft Click here for Video!
The Merci Jesus is 90′ long and 26′ wide, bow pointing south and the hull is upright. The Merci Jesus was seized by U.S. Customs Officials in April of 1998 for possession of drugs. The ship was then sank by the Broward County Artificial Reef Program on August 11, 1998. The vessel sits in 70ft of water and has some really good swim-throughs that are easy enough for a beginner and fun for everyone.
The Wreck of the Houseboat 75ft – 90ft
Originally named Duzaway, this 70-foot wreck known as the Houseboat, was reefed in 90 feet of water in 1987 to create an artificial reef.
The Wreck of the Miss Dania Beach 60ft – 70ft Click here for Video!
The Miss Dania is a 120-foot Canadian Navel Vessel that was donated by the estate of Robert Derecktor and sunk in 2004 . The fish and marine life are abundant with eels, grunts, corals and sponges just among the things you will see.
The Wreck of the Ebenezer II 60ft – 70ft
Deployed May 2002, the Ebenezer II is a 95′ freighter sitting at 70 feet. She is intact with her bow facing south and listing about 45 degrees to starboard. The wreck of the Ebenezer II is a macro haven so bring your camera!
The Wreck of the Copenhagen 20ft – 30ft
This ship was a 325′ long steel cargo ship bound for Cuba when running aground in 1900. It is a State Marine Archaeological Preserve since 1994 and has a nice plaque on the south end. It is located on the eastern side of the Pompano Beach Drop-off.