Florida

Miami-Dade County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Sunk December 1986, The African Queen, a 57-foot concrete boat, now rests in 45 feet of water off Key Biscayne.




Miami Beach

African Queen

Shamrock is located 3.5 miles north of Government cut near the southern end of the Anchorage Artificial Reef. This 120-foot steel troop-landing craft was sunk in 1985 to form an artificial reef.

This dive ranges in depth from 16 to 45 feet. Her hull is broken although she suffered little damage during 1992's Hurricane Andrew.



Shamrock

The 110-foot barge was sunk in 1995 as part of the Dade County Artificial Reef Program. This is a fairly shallow wreck making it a good dive for beginners and can be easily penetrated. The wreck can occasionally be seen from the surface and is also a good site for snorkeling. Sites nearby can be accessed via rebar stakes. This is a great site for training new divers.



Mathew Lawrence

There are two M60 Army Tanks placed in 15m deep by the DERM in June of 1994. It is an interesting dive, cos tanks are now an oasis of life...

Off Miami Beach

Army Tanks

Narwall is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Florida, Miami which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Narwall

This wreck is a collapsed steel hull 85 feet in length. It's located just 100 feet southeast of the Patricia in the Anchorage Artificial Reef Site. Also close by are the police barge, Radio Tower Pyramids and Army Tanks. The Karline has been on the bottom since 1989 which has allowed an abundance of coral growth in a once sandy area. Because of the close proximity of the other wrecks there is an abundance of fish and other sea life. With a maximum depth of just 51 feet and a 15-foot profile, divers can have longer bottom times.



Miss Karline

The Patricia is a steel tug that was sunk in 1990. The tug is mostly intact with a profile rising 20 feet from the sandy bottom at 53 feet. This wreck is only 100 feet from the Karline. Also close by are the Radio Tower Pyramids and Army Tanks. The once sandy area now has a great deal of coral and marine life. This is an excellent site for photography.



Patricia Wreck

The Tortuga was sunk in April, 1995 for the movie Fair Game. It is a 165' freighter vessel. This vessel is the best penetration wreck of the area. For advanced diver, of course!

5 miles N of Government Cut (Pflueger Artificial Reef). 

The Tortuga wreck is also known as M/V Tortuga.

The Tortuga wreck

The Deep Freeze -- now one of Miami's most popular advanced dive sites -- was a 210' freighter sunk in 135' of water in October 1976. She had a 33.5' beam and displaced 1,138 gross tons of water. Her top deck can be reached at 110'.

The Deep Freeze was sunk in the artificial reef site known as Pflueger, located north of Government Cut and south of Haulover Islet. Fairly strong currents are the norm here.

The Deep Freeze is a popular spot for local fisherman and spear fisherman. Due to the monofilament lines on this wreck and the heavy buildup of silt, the Deep Freeze is only recommended for advanced divers. Be sure to bring a knife for the monofilament. The wreck offers excellent penetration for the experienced wreck diver.

Hurricane Andrew separated a 35' section of the stern from the hull in 1992, but otherwise caused little damage.



Deep Freeze

Located in the South Beach Artificial Reef Site, approximately 150 yards southeast of the Second Street lifeguard station on Miami Beach, this 22-ton concrete margarita bar was sunk on May 5th, 2000 during Ocean Realm Splash, nicknamed 'Sinko De Mayo.' Designed with a dive flag roof, six bar stools and a protective wall of tetrahedrons (pyramid-shaped concrete forms), the structure was intended to be the first element of the South Beach Underwater Trail.

Access from 2nd St and Ocean Dr. Park on the road and enter from the beach, or by boat.

African Queen

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at African Queen