Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Miami-Dade County

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

Flat-topped reef with mooring ball.

4.5 miles east of Key Biscayne Biscayne wreck is also known as Banana Freighter.

The Neptune Memorial Reef project is the largest man made reef ever conceived and provides an extraordinary living resting place for the departed, an environmental and ecological masterpiece, a superb laboratory for marine biologists, students, researchers and ecologists, and an aesthetically exquisite, world-class destination for visitors from all walks of life. 3.25 miles of the east of Key Biscayne, FL.

South Canyon reef site crawling with marine life!

Chances are if you received your certification in Miami, you dived The Belzona Barge on your third dive. This 115 foot steel barge was originally sunk in 72FT of water, just north of the South Seas, in August of 1991. However, in August of 1992, Hurricane Andrew moved her to only about 40 feet of water. Like most of the barges, it inverted when it was blown up by the Miami Bomb Squad, and rests upside down on the bottom. The wreck is extremely dark inside and it is not a good idea to try to penetrate it, but there is a great deal of surface area to explore. The top of the wreck, which is really the bottom of the hull, is fully covered with soft corals and the flowing gorgonians constantly waving in the current, make the wreck look more like a coral reef than a rusty old vessel. Located within fairly easy swimming distance of the Belzona Barge (80 feet to the south) is the Belzona Two, a 90 foot steel tug boat sunk in February of 1991 which sits in about 60 feet of water.

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 Andro was a 165 foot luxury yacht built in Germany in 1910. It was constructed mostly of wood, with the classic high bow and rounded-off tail of cruising yachts. During World War II, the electric motors were converted to diesel, machine guns were added, and the Andro became a patrol boat used to chase submarines. After the war, the Andro served as a freighter up and down the U.S. Atlantic coast. Eventually the Andro was seized by U.S. Customs for transporting illegal drugs. The Department of Environmental Resource Management purchased the Andro to be added to the Haulover Artificial Reef Site. The Miami Bomb squad orchestrated the explosion which sunk the Andro on December 17th, 1985. The Andro is one of the most popular wrecks in the Haulover site. The ship settled upright in the sand at a depth of 103 feet. With a 38 foot profile there is plenty to explore at a range of depths. The ship has twin propellers, two smokestacks and a large wheelhouse still intact. Hurricane Andrew broke the ship into three sections and exposed the engine block. This has actually made the wreck more varied and interesting to explore. Numerous fish inhabit the Andro. This is a great wreck for underwater photographers. The Andro is a popular fishing site also and can be crowded at times. This, along with the jumbled structure of the wreck, make the Andro a dive spot best suited for advanced divers.

The DEMA Trader is a 165-foot freighter. It was deployed October 28th, 2003. Approximately 3.5 miles west of Key Biscane DEMA Trader is also known as GGD Trader.

The Lugano was a 350-foot single screw, iron-hulled British steamer with a 40-foot beam. Built in 1882 by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, she originally sailed under the name Navarro. In 1897, the Navarro underwent a major overhaul and was renamed Lugano. On the afternoon of March 9, 1913, the Lugano ran hard aground on Long Reef while on a routine voyage from Liverpool to Havana. She was ferrying 116 passengers, most of whom were emigrating from Spain to Cuba, and her cargos where filled with wine, silks, and assorted goods. As high winds and heavy seas pounded the grounded ship, a tug was dispatched to the site and all passengers were safely transported from the ship. Wreckers managed to recover most of the cargo over the next several weeks. However, the Lugano herself could not be saved. The damage to the hull caused by the reef, and the heavy seas eventually flooded her holds. She was abandoned early in April, nearly one month after sealing her fate on Long Reef. Today, the superstructure is essentially gone, but large portions of her skeletal hull and ribs remain. The remains are encrusted in beautiful and colorful corals and sponges. The site provides a habitat for large numbers of tropicals, small grouper, and schools of yellowtail. Spotted eels, morays, and lobster can be found under the collapsed hull plates. There are three mooring buoys nearby. Boaters are advised to use caution as the shallow waters near the reef often create strong surge conditions. The Lugano is one of five historic wrecks designated as part of the Biscayne National Park "Shipwreck Trail". The shallow waters and surrounding coral reef make this a fantastic snorkeling location.

The Proteus is a 220' freighter sunk in the Key Biscayne Artificial Reef Site on January 24, 1985. This site is one of the shallower wrecks dives in South Florida, resting in only 72' of water with at least 30' of relief (top deck is at 50'). This artificial reef site makes an excellent opportunity for the novice wreck diver and serves as a great introduction to Miami's exceptional collection of artificial reefs. She was once a ferry boat on the Great Lakes before carrying freight and supplies between the Caribbean islands. Most of her superstructure was removed to allow maximum cargo space, but the ship failed to make a profit resulting in bankruptcy in 1980. The freighter sat on the Miami River for 5 years as a derelict vessel behind Bud's Auto Parts on 34th Avenue. During its tenure as Bud's garbage barge, thousands of license plates were thrown into the ship from the auto shop. Although most of the plates have been salvaged by sport divers as souvenirs, if you look close you may still be able to find one laying in the hold to this day. NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) expressed their interest in helping to obtain and sink a ship in late 1984 and discovered the Proteus through Ben Mostkoff, then Director of the Miami-Dade County's Artificial Reef Program. Volunteers cleaned and prepared the ship to made it environmentally safe before sinking. Resting on a sandy bottom, not far from the popular Biscayne wreck, the Proteus was broken into several large pieces by the forces of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Since the structure spread out over a wider area, more marine life seems to have taken up residence in the various twisted metal remains of the wreck. Moray eels, schooling grunts, barracudas, angelfish and the occasional groups can be found within the wreck and around debris field.

Sunk in february 2002 Out of kay Biscane

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

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

This is a great snorkeling site as well as a good dive site. Because of the current leaving Bear Cut it's best to dive this site at high slack tide. The visibility changes dramatically with the tides. The high tide ensures that clear water is coming in rather then the murky water leaving Biscayne bay. There are an abundance of rays, giant puffers and lobster that live there. There is a monument and plaque in the center of the wreck. At Low tide, the top of the Wreck is only 4 feet below the water. There is a lot of boat traffic in this area. The Half Moon is a 154 foot long Steel Racing yacht in about 10 feet of water that sank in 1930. It is located due east of Bear Cut (the channel between Virginia Key and Key Biscayne) about 1 mile. There is a lone red channel marker just to the south of the dive site and there are two mooring buoys at the site. One at the bow and one at the stern. Half Moon Wreck is also known as Half Moon Underwater Preserve.

Northern end of the canyon, crawling with life!

Emerald Reef is a small shallow-water patch reef one mile east of Key Biscayne. It's considered by many to be one of the most beautiful reefs in Miami, rivaling those found further south in the Florida Keys. The reefs are in 10 to 20 feet of water and support living elkhorn and pillar coral, a variety of sponges, and schools of juvenile tropicals. The clarity and color of the water makes this a spectacular snorkel or dive location. Please protect our reefs and dive carefully.

The Mandalay was a 128-foot double-masted steel schooner in the Windjammer Cruises fleet. She ran aground on Long Reef near Elliott Key on New Years Eve 1966 at the end of a 10-day Bahamas cruise. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were rescued, but the Mandalay suffered a watery fate. When the wreck was hard aground, looters quickly stripped her clean. Tug boats arrived shortly thereafter to attempt to pull her off the reef, but they only succeeded in opening the ship's hull further. The Mandalay was pummeled by rough seas and quickly sank. Resting in only 10 feet of water, the Mandalay is now considered to be one of the best wreck dives in Biscayne National Park. Large sections of the ship remain intact and are easily accessible to snorkelers. After almost a half-century under the sea, the schooner Mandalay is covered with hard corals, sea fans, and schools of colorful fish. This is a site not to be missed. The Mandalay is one of five historic wrecks designated as part of the Biscayne National Park "Shipwreck Trail". The shallow waters and surrounding coral reef make this a fantastic snorkeling location.

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.

Mooring ball boat access.

This 45ft steel tug is located in Sunny Isles. She was sunk in 1999 to assist in the formation of an artificial reef. She lies 65 feet below the surface.

This is a great reef for the beginner diver. It is located south of Patty's reef and it is another excellent dive. It is a medium in profile but it has tropical fish, hard and soft corals everywhere. Mooring balls lie in a N-S line.

The C-One is a 120 foot steel tug that was sunk in the Sunny Isles Reef Site in November of 1990. She sits in 68 feet of water and is considered an intermediate dive. She is approximately 1.9 nautical miles east northeast of Bakers Haulover Inlet. This area has an abundance of fish and almost immediately after the sinking, despite the low visibility and adverse conditions, fish began to congregate around the wreck, especially barracuda, most commonly seen in the winter in the waters off Miami.

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

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.

The Steane D'Auray, often referred to as the "St. Anne", is a 110 foot North Atlantic trawler, sunk in only 68 feet of water. It has over 28 feet of relief and is basically still intact. There is still a picturesque air vent on the port side, the perfect backdrop for the underwater photographer. Some of the wreck has been torn apart and scattered across the bottom in the sand after Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992. The St. Anne was sunk on March 28, 1986 and has a tremendous amount of growth. The rich nutrients of the Gulfstream have brought an abundance of life to her structure. Brilliant soft corals undulate in the current while the dark passageways beckon you to investigate her inner structure. Steane D'Auray is also known as St. Anne.

The Blue Fire, a 175-ft freighter, was sunk in January 1983 in 110-ft of water. This vessel was seized by the Coast Guard during the Cuban Exodus. This wreck is fairly broken up, though sits fairly upright on a white sandy bottom. It is an easy and safe wreck to penetrate and abounds with sea life which reportedly includes cobia, grouper, amberjack, barracuda and parrotfish. Great dive for photographers! Located in the Dade Sport Fishing Council Site North. The Bluefire is slightly south and east of Fowey Lighthouse. BlueFire Wreck is also known as Bluefire Wreck.

Built in 1883 at a shipyard in Scotland, the Alicia was a 345-foot iron-hulled, three-masted steamer with a 38-foot beam. The vessel had two decks and displaced 2,800 tons. On April 20, 1905, the Alicia slammed onto the north end of Ajax Reef, just south of Long Reef within what is now Biscayne National Park. The ship was en route to Havana, Cuba from Liverpool, her cargo hulls filled with fine silks, furniture, and general merchandise. Salvors from the Keys and the Bahamas worked meticulously to recover most of the precious cargo, but the ship itself could not be refloated. The vessel was abandoned July 25th, then sold for scrap in September that same year. Explosives were used to break up the hull and to recover as much of the iron and machinery as possible. The hull and superstructure have since collapsed, and the surrounding reef has absorbed much of the vessel. The wreck remains visible and largely inline, consisting of the hull and keel of the ship. The site is an impressive scene, alive with schools of colorful reef fish, sponges, and coral. Lobster and eel are often spotted taking refuge under the hull plates. The shallow depth makes it a great spot for snorkelers and novice divers. The Alica is one of five historic wrecks designated as part of the Biscayne National Park "Shipwreck Trail". The shallow waters and surrounding coral reef make this a fantastic snorkeling location. Boaters are advised to use caution as the shallow waters near the reef often create strong surge conditions.

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.

The US Customs Reef is located four miles east of Key Biscayne and contains four cargo ships. These ships include the Bradywine, Minguana, Etoile de Mer, and Tacoma which were all sunk in 2001. The Tacoma was not one of the initial ships sunk to form an artificial reef but was added after it was seized during a drug smuggling. These ships lie in approximnately 130-145 feet of water and are within 200 feet of each other. In total, 925 pounds of cocaine valued at $7.7 million were seized from these ships. The ships lie near each other and are all upright and intact. Customs Reef is also known as Etoile de Mer.

The Spirit of Miami is a Boeing 727 jet (130' long). It was sunk as an artificial reef September 8, 1993. It is broken in several part, some of them are very damaged. Key Biscayne Artificial Reef 3.5 miles off of Miami

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.

Rio Miami was featured on a 1989 episode of 20/20 where Hugh Downs detonated the ship for sinking and dove the site less than 24 hours later. The remote-controlled detonation with which Downs sunk the ship was the first of this type to be used. The publicity brought some popularity to this location. Today, this 105-foot tug lies in 72 feet of water after being shifted by Hurricane Andrew. She is upright and her cabin and ladders are intact and rise up to 30 feet from the surface. This is one of the most intact wrecks in the area and is easily penetrated. Barracudas, angelfish, jewfish, grunts, yellowtails, colorful sponges, sea fans and many forms of hard and soft corals are just some of the beautiful organisms that can be seen on this dive.

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.

The Arratoon Apcar, named after her original owner, Apcar and Company, was built in 1861 at a shipyard in Scotland. She was a 260-foot iron-hulled screw steamer with a beam of 35 feet. On February 17, 1878 while on a voyage from Liverpool, England to Havana, Cuba, the Arratoon Apcar slammed into Fowey Rocks nearly colliding with the Fowey Lighthouse which was currently under construction. Ironically, the lighthouse was being erected on that very spot to warn vessels of the dangerous reef line which had already claimed more than one ship, including the HMS Fowey in 1748. Heavy seas and strong winds pounded the grounded vessel, pushing her further onto the reef. Heavy swells continuously lifted the ship, and then dropped her back down onto the cutting rocks. She quickly tore apart and was abandoned as a total loss. The Arratoon Apcar is one of five historic wrecks designated as part of the Biscayne National Park "Shipwreck Trail". The shallow waters and surrounding coral reef make this a fantastic snorkeling and dive location. Boaters are advised to use caution as the shallow waters near the reef often create strong surge conditions.

The Pillars reef site at 35' is a good place for training dives. An old pipeline is partially buried and a large structure with 2 large steel I-beams is sitting next to it. Some other unidentifiable objects remind me of the Bimini Road. If you're a spear fisherman, this is a good place for hogfish.

The Ophelia Brian, previously named the Sea Taxi was sunk in December 2009 by the Miami Dade Reef Guard Association with a grant from the Brian and Lavinia Snyder Foundation. The 210 foot freighter, built in 1965 by J.J. Sietas in Hamburg, Germany christened Hoheburg and lastly called Sea Taxi, became the Ophelia Brian when she sunk at a pre-permitted site off Key Biscayne on December 30, 2009. The vessel is a sister ship to two very popular, previously sunk Miami-Dade artificial reefs -- the Ultra Freeze and the Deep Freeze. It's been renamed several times in the past 40 years, most recently called the Sea Taxi as you can see painted on the side of the vessel in the photo taken just before the sinking. Its a really good dive and now has the added interest that a piece of the fuselage from The Spirit of Miami wreck of the Boeing 727 has rolled up alongside at the stern on the starboard side. Ophelia Brian is also known as Sea Taxi.

This is an unnamed fantastic spot on the south end of the patch reefs which are just east of Broad Creek, in the Biscayne National Park. This spot has two mooring buoys, and is sometimes referred to as simply Ball Buoys Reef. Here you'll find shallow waters averaging 25 feet, suitable for both snorkeling and diving. The area has a beautiful white sandy bottom with large coral formations rising up to 10 feet from the sea floor. A few swim-throughs are present along with small caverns and coral overhangs. The reef is alive with large coral formations, sea fans, colorful tropical fish, and an occasional lobster. Ball Buoys Reef is also known as Broad Creek Patch Reef.

The Ultra Freeze ia a steeled hulled, 195' freighter with 45 feet of superstructure still attached. She was placed in the RJ Diving Ventures artificial reef site by the South Florida Spearfishing Council in the summer of 1984. 2 miles north of Fowey Reef Lighthouse (into RJ Diving Ventures Site).

The Doc de Milly is a steel freighter built in 1949. It was sunk in 1987 (military target). Length: 287' Relief: 50' Lies on the Edge of the Gulf stream, so the current can be hit or miss. Also a popular fishing spot, so carry a knife and be aware of lines and hooks. 0.25 mile E of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse. Doc de Milly is also known as Doc de Mille, Nuvio Rio.

While anchored off Miami Beach in February of 1991, this Honduran freighter was pummeled by heavy winds and rough seas until it broke anchor and ran aground just offshore of South Beach. After months of court battles, and rigorous cleaning to the tune of over $300,000, the ship was seized by the U.S. government and offered for sale. Eventually the Dade County Artificial Reef Program purchased the ship and Concepcion was sunk in June 1991 near the center of the Sunny Isles Artificial Reef Site north of Haulover Inlet. The 165-foot ship sits in 68-feet of water. The cargo area has collapsed and Hurricane Andrew broke off the stern which now lies approximately 40 feet north of the main hull. The wreck attracts numerous fish, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Profile ranges form 5-10 feet. The Concepcion is only about 100 feet northeast of C-One, making the two wrecks a great two-tank dive trip.

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.

The vessel Erl King was a 305-foot three-masted, single screw, iron auxiliary steamer with a 34-foot beam. Built in 1865 by A. and J. Inglis Shipbuilders, the steamer displaced 2,180 tons. On December 16, 1891, The Erl King ran aground on Long Reef during a voyage from Swansea, England to New Orleans, Louisiana. Wreckers were able to salvage much of her cargo, but the Erl King was declared a total loss. By early January 1892, the site was abandoned, though later scrap salvage expeditions were reported. Today, the Erl King rests in 20 feet of water off Long Reef within Biscayne National Park. The site is a marine preserve offering both divers and snorkelers spectacular underwater vistas. The outline of the collapsed hull remains framed by metal hull plates and wreckage. Concrete, which was stored in wooden barrels, has solidified and can be found near the wreckage. Boaters are advised to use caution as the shallow waters near the reef often create strong surge conditions. The Erl King is one of five historic wrecks designated as part of the Biscayne National Park "Shipwreck Trail". The shallow waters and surrounding coral reef make this a fantastic snorkeling location.

In 90 feet of water lays Sheri-Lynn, a 235-foot freighter. It took 400 pounds of high-explosives to bring this ship down. Dutch-built, she carried a small crew as she was launched in 1952 and used for shipping. When she had been docked for several years without use, it was assumed that this ship was abandoned and ownership was gained by the Department of Environmental Resource Management. The vessel took a hard hit from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and was spread across a wide area. Her bow lies 60 feet away from the rest of the wreck. This allowed for increased marine life to inhabit the remains. Although prior to this she was intact and upright, she now has a larger variety of sea life. She has many foot holes cut through bulkheads that allow for exploration. South of the bow lies 50 Chevron tanks, each 30 feet long and 8 feet in diameter with the ends cut off. Twenty cement-mixer tanks also lie near by. The variety of wreckage provides home to large amounts of pelagic life.

The Orion was sunk as a part of the artificial reef program in 1981. It is a steel hulled tug boat. The wheel house broke off during hurricane Andrew and lies off to one side. It is often passed over for the larger ships in Key Biscayne, but it is a well established and a very nice for a shorter second dive. 3 miles off Key Biscayne (SW corner of the reef).

The Almirante wreck is a 200' steel freighter. It was sunk in 1974. Off of Elliot Key.