These dives are suitable for divers with an Open Water certification.
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Fowey Rocks 10-100 ft (3-30 m)
Much of the bottom around the Fowey Rocks is like a soft coral garden, abundant in fish life. This is a good spot for snorkeling as well as diving. |
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Emerald Reef, Cuban Freighter Reef, Starfish Reef, Starfish Reef & Coral Reef 15-30 ft (5-9 m) Considered by Ned DeLoach to be, by far, the most beautiful shallow reef group in Miami. It ranges in depth from 15 to 30 feet where colors in the clear water are breathtaking. Sponges of every color are complimented by patches of living coral, where every coral and sponge teems with juvenile tropical fish in the spring and summer. There are many larger fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, grouper, barracuda, puffer fish, lizard fish and hogfish. Outlying patches of this reef are also known as Starfish Reef, Freighter Reef, Keith's Ledge & Rainbow Reef. |
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Shamrock Landing Craft 15-30-ft (5-9-m)
This 120-foot steel troop-landing craft was sunk in 1985 to form an artificial reef. |
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The Neptune Memorial Reef project is the largest man made reef ever conceived. This environmental and ecological masterpiece, a superb laboratory for marine biologists, students, researchers and ecologists, and an aesthetically exquisite, world-class destination for divers. The most innovative concept in artificial reef design is currently emerging in 50-feet of water, 3.25 miles east of Key Biscayne, Miami. Wrapped in the silence of the clear blue ocean a new reef is evolving. The Neptune Memorial Reef is attracting recreational scuba divers while enhancing the costal environment. |
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Radio Tower Reef 30-50 ft (9-15 m)
Lying in 50-ft of water, 19 pyramids have been formed using sections of radio towers. The pyramids were designed by Ben Mostkoff, a coordinator for DERM's Artificial Reef Program, as an experiment to attract marine life. |
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Police Barge (Koppin Memorial Reef) 35-45-ft (10-14-m)
This site began as a memorial to a Miami motorcycle patrolman when a 75-foot steel barge was sunk. Near the barge lie 32 eight-foot concrete pipes and six, 90-foot concrete girders that were once part of the Rickenbacker Causeway. |
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Rio Miami 35-65 ft (10-20 m)
The105-ft tug Rio Miami was featured on a 1989 episode of 20/20. She is upright and her cabin and ladders are intact rising up to 30 feet from the surface. This is one of the most intact wrecks in the area and is easily penetrated. |
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Army Tanks 40-50 ft (12-15 m)
Two Vietnam War era M-60 Army tanks were placed in 50-ft of water in Miami's Anchorage Artificial Reef Site in June 1994. Nearby are 400 tons of limestone boulders. This site affords many hiding places for lobster and other marine life. |
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Billy's Barge 40-50 ft (12-15 m)
This 110-ft steel barge rests in 50-ft of water surrounded by 360 tons of concrete pipe which are quickly attracting hard & soft corals. |
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Mathew Lawrence Barge 40-50-ft (12-15-m)
Mathew Lawrence, was involved in the development of underwater video housings and was one of the founders of Aqua Video. He died while diving on the Andrea Doria in 1992 and a memorial plaque can be seen at the top of the pilot house of this 110-ft barge. |
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Golden Beach Artificial Reef 40-50-ft (12-15-ft)
The Golden Beach Artificial Reef Site was inaugurated in January 2005 with the deployment of approximately 850 tons of limestone boulders in 45' of water. The boulders are arranged in three distinct "patch" reefs, lying 30-50' apart and ranging in size from 45'Lx35'Wx9'H to 70'Lx35'Wx12'H. |
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The Conception 40-60 ft (12-18 m)
While anchored off Miami Beach in February of 1991, this 165-ft freighter was pummeled by heavy winds and rough seas until it broke anchor and ran aground. The ship was seized by the U.S. government and purchased by the Dade County Artificial Reef Program; the Conception was sunk in June 1991. The cargo area has collapsed and Hurricane Andrew broke off the stern which now lies approximately 40 feet north of the main hull. |
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Biscayne 45-55 ft (13-16 m)
The Biscayne was a 120-ft freighter that sat derelict on the Miami River until she was sunk to form an artificial reef in 1974. This is a popular wreck dive because of the breathtaking concentration of fish life constantly moving about its structure. At times, the baitfish schools are so concentrated and immense that they hide the Biscayne from view. |
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Belcher Barge #27 45-60 ft (13-18 m)
A very popular site for us, this 195-ft steel barge was sunk near Key Biscayne in November 1985 when four explosions opened its corners. The barge turned over on its way to the bottom. Experienced divers can swim inside the entire length, passing through the holes that were cut in the bulkheads; a flash light and safety reel are recommended. The Belzona One, Two & Three are close by and form the wreck trek. Spotted eagle rays, large stingray, goliath groupers and large tarpoon are often residents. |
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Belzone One, Belzone Two & Belzone Three 45-72 ft (13-22 m)
The Belzone One is an 85-ft oceangoing tug that was sunk in May 1990 and sits upright. The Belzone Two lost its roof to a hurricane and lies in 60-ft of water. Belzone Three is a 100-ft tug in 85-ft of water. All three can be visited, along with the Belcher Barge #27, on the 'wreck trek'. |
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Patricia / Miss Karlene 45-55 ft (13-16 m)
The Patricia is a classic tug boat lying in 50-ft of water very close to the hurricane damaged and collapsed Miss Karline.. |
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Fish Hole 45-50 ft (13-17 m)
The Fish Hole is a natural recess in the sea bed that is frequented by many species of fish, including hogfish, grouper, snapper, angel fish, parrot fish & lobster. This is a great dive after one of our wrecks. |
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Deep Trench 45-60 ft (13-18 m)
During the 1920's a Deep Trench was cut through the reef to allowing a pipe carrying waste to discharge into the ocean. The pipe is no longer in use, but the resulting trench which is 15-20 ft wide has created an excellent environment for marine life. |
