Biscayne National Park 30'

The BNP offers some of South Florida’s most beautiful underwater scenery, with crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, abundant marine life, and shallow areas perfect for exploring. We’re one of the few dive operators licensed to enter the protected waters of Biscayne National Park, giving our guests access to reefs and dive sites that aren’t available to every boat.

Whether you’re an experienced diver or prefer to stay on the surface, Biscayne National Park is a great choice for both scuba divers and snorkelers. Explore colorful coral reefs, encounter tropical marine life, and experience the unique beauty of Miami’s underwater national park.

Before the dumping laws where strictly enforced some old wreckage from a cuban freighter was dropped on this reef. The wreckage is now completely coral encrusted and offers a haven for spiny lobsters. This is a interesting dive, you not only get to visit a wreck but you will be on one of Miami’s beautiful reefs.

Darrel’s ledge is a high profile reef that has two sections. The first section is high profile and the are many different types of coral. The reef then drops off to 40 feet where there are large schools of reef fish for your viewing pleasure.

Deep Trench was cut through the reef line to allow an out haul pipe to discharge waste during the 20’s. Not in use anymore, it’s a great place for night diving. The bottom is 48′ deep with the trench dropping down to 60′. It’s about 15-20′ wide, with lots of tropical’s, eels, lobster and an occasional shark. Runs east and west.

Graceland reef is a section of plate reef that broke and dropped about 4 to 5′ creating an interesting ledge with small caverns underneath (too small for penetration). Located in 18 to 22′ of water, this is a relaxing second dive. Some of the most beautiful tropical fish live here, including some that we don’t see at any other site, like Copper Sweepers. Your likely to find Nurse sharks sleeping under some of the ledges, so bring a light! This site is several hundred yards long, there is a lot to see for the casual diver.

This is Divemaster Jakes’ Rumble on the Beach/Jungle dive. It is a low profile reef dive feature schooling tropical fish, lobsters and more!

A low profile reef with large sand areas with a variety of aquatic delight and many lobsters and shells for the taking!

This is Captain Mike Beach’s dive site. It is a low profile reef with large schoolong tropical fish, lobsters and the occasional nurse shark!

This reef is south of Key Biscayne and it is truly a breath taking reef! It is high profile and has many swim thoughs and thosands of tropical fish everywhere. Keep an eye out for sharks and moray eels!

A low profile shelf reef system located in North Miami 10 minutes North of Haulover Inlet. Another one of our secret reefs that is a have for lobster, grouper and many tropical fish. Spearfishing trips can be organized to this location.

Rock pile artificial reef is a rock covered out haul pipe built, I’d guess, in the 20’s. In 30′ of water with 15′ of relief, this site has a huge variety of tropical fish in residence. We could almost call this our shark dive. It seems we always find a number of nurse sharks sleeping in the crevasses. A no-brainer for navigation, the Rock pile runs east and west, it’s pretty hard to get lost. (yeah, right).

South Deep Trench at about 60′ is real interesting, in that, there are huge amount of tropical’s all over the place. We were evaluating it for a commercial site, but decided, while it’s superb, it’s not large enough to put anyone but students on. Apparently an old dredge cut, it has weathered nicely and looks almost natural. There is a huge green moray living in it.

Suger Bear is one of our long time favorite reefs. it is medium in profile and has a variety of corals and sponges . There are also thousands of schooling fish everywhere!

One of our secret spots between Haulover Inlet and Goverment Cut, The Fish Hole is loaded with many species of fish including grouper, snapper, hogfish, eels, lobster (sounds like a seafood restaurant) It’s relatively shallow depth makes this location a great second dive.

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 Fish Hole is actually a creater in North Miami that no one knows how it was formed. Over the years some of the ledges have collapsed. The top of the hole sits at 36 feet. As you enter into the fish hole and swim though a wall of fish you will find the bottom at 52 feet. On this site you find thousands of tropical fish, moray eels, sharks and lobsters.

A large concrete pipe that runs about 75′ on top of sand and patch reef located in North Miami Beach. Giant green morays and lobsters are almost always found at this site. Just recently we saw a guitar fish at this site, not that common to this area.

The Biscayne is located in the Key Biscayne Artificial Reef Site. She is a 120-foot freighter, that was once used for hauling bananas from Central America. Now she lies in 55 feet of water. The Biscayne’s bow and stern sections have collapsed, but there is a breathtaking concentration of fish. Due to the amount of aquatic delight this wreck is an excellent location for a night dive.

A 45′ steel tug sunk July 1999 in the Sunny Isles Reef Site. The Carmen lays just East of the C-One and there is re-bar staked in the ground leading to each other. The conception is also linked with re-bar and can be seen on the same dive.

This is a great location for snorkelers to visit a wreck. The two-masted 3660-ton steel Schooner was built in Germany in 1908. She sank in her current location in 1930 after a storm broke her moorings. Hurricane Andrew actually improved the site by exposing more of the schooner’s wreckage. This is an underwater preserve so please take only pictures and leave only with the memories of your trip.

Sunk as a promotion during the “Sinko de Mayo festival”, May 2000 right off the beach on second street in South Beach. The 10,000 pound concrete bar was built for Jose Cuervo and then donated to the Artificial Reef program. South Beach Divers in conjunction with many other local dive shops and operators formed a “water sports committee” to raise funds to sink wrecks and to generate more interest in diving in Miami. After the wreck was sunk, we had a “bartender” positioned in the bar who had 100 mini Tequila bottles with a raffle ticket inside each one that he gave to everyone who came to dive or snorkel on the wreck for one hour. We then drew numbers and gave away many prizes and services. Another success story in the history of Miami wreck Diving.

The Lady Frei is a 90′ Sailing Schooner that was sunk in Dec 1986. The wreck has been destroyed to basically nothing left. The only thing that remains is its engine block. It is located on the northwest side of the Belcher Barge.

In 1995, the Dade County Artificial Reef Program sunk a 110-foot Barge in the memory of Matthew Lawrence. Matthew Lawerence was a Miami diving enthusiast. It was originally named the Number 7 and was a salvage vessel. The Mathew Lawrence sits about 100′ from the tanks making it possible to see both wrecks on the one dive.

The Miss Karline, a 85′ steel hull tug was sunk June 1989 in the Miami Anchorage Area Site. This area is where large vessels anchor off shore while waiting for dock space or to clear customs before entering Miami’s Government Cut entrance. A year later, The Patricia, a 65′ steel tug was sunk about 200 feet from the Miss Karline. Since then, numerous storms and hurricanes later, the two ships collided underwater making one mingled wreck dive. With it’s close proximity to both Miami Harbour and Haulover Inlet, this is a popular dive site. There is on any given dive, numerous schools of fish, lobster and a wide array of tropical fish. This site is part of the” Wreck Trek”

Nineteen pyramids of steel and concrete, once the transmission system for Radio Mambi, make up the Radio Antenna site. The site provides habitat for juvenile fish and occasional barracuda. Also a part of the wreck trek, these pyramids attracts large schools of fish all day and night. Not a great spot for photographers but it makes an excellent dive for navigation training. Remember that if your compass seems to not function on a wreck dive, you are probably too close to the wreck and are interfering with Magnetic North. Swim away from the wreck and try navigating again. Still lost? Try taking our underwater navigator class for expert advise of finding your way around underwater.

The tarpoon is a 165′ steel ship the was sunk in memory of Mike Kevorkian, a local diving pioneer. Hurricane Andrew busted the wreck up in to several pieces against a reef. It is an excellent drift dive.

The Conception, a 150′ Honduran steel freighter, was sunk in June, 1991. This wreck, which was severely damaged by hurricane Andrew and sits about 150′ north of the C-One. The cargo area has imploded and the stern broke loose after Hurricane Andrew. The stern is approx. 40′ north of the main section which has collapsed to a 10′ profile. The wreck is a part of the Sunny Isles Reef Site which is north of the Haulover Inlet and still attracts a wide variety of fish, especially early and late in the day.

The Matthew Lawrence was placed in January, 1996 at 50 feet. A 120′ freighter lying east-west offers excellent penetration for novice wreck divers. With relief of approx. 30′, the wreck can, sometimes, be seen from the surface. As part of the Wreck Trek site, it will be tied into the other nearby wrecks with rebar stakes to guide divers from site to site. This wreck is about 200′ east of the Army Tanks dive site. Good place for training divers.

Wreck Trek is an artificial reef area mapped out by local dive boat Captain Rick Smith of Undersea Miami. The site consists of the Miss Patricia, 85′ tug, sunk June, 1990, Miss Karlene, tug severely damaged by hurricane Andrew, 90′ away from the Patricia on a heading of 150 degrees, Ben’s Antenna reef, old radio towers, Billy’s Barge, 75′ steel barge, limestone boulders and more sites being connected. The depth is about 45′ to 60′. This area can be covered by an experienced diver in a big hurry, but is worth a few dives to see everything. This is one of our most popular destinations, not only for training new divers, but because it offers a moderate, relaxed dive for intermediate divers.

This wreck was just sunk and this will be the first time we have dove on it. More details to follow.

The Belzona One, is one of three tug boats sunk in May 1990. She is sunk sitting upright in a sandy area so string rays are very common on this particular site.

The latest addition to Miami’s wreck collection. Sunk in October 2003 after the DEMA dive trade show. Somewhere hiding on this wreck is a key that opens a case here in the shop with an underwater camera inside valued at $349.00. Come dive this wreck with us and see if you can find it.

Sunk in July 1987, this 100′ steel freighter sits in 64′ off of Key Biscayne. Many storms have reduced this wreck to a low profile and is consequently infrequently dove on.

The Orion was the first wreck sunk as a part of the artificial reef program in 1981. This steel hulled tug boat had her entire wheelhouse ripped off during Hurricane Andrew and it now lays 50ft beside her. Located just 3 miles off Key Biscayne, The Orion is one of the best dive sites in Miami. Huge schools of fish are always found around The Orion as well as much coral and sponge growth. The west side of the deck has a large patch of gorgonias which make excellent photos for close up photography. Make sure you bring a flashlight to really enjoy the most from this dive.

120 foot Freight sunk 1989 teeming with aquatic life.

The Proteus, a 220 foot steel hulled freighter, sits silently in the Key Biscayne reef site. With 18 feet of relief, the ship provides shelter for a variety of fish and a fascinating background for underwater photographers. With her relatively shallow depth, The Proteus is a great second dive. As this wreck has been down since 1985, there is lots of growth that makes for great close up photography. Look off the wreck from time to time, large fish are often seen in this area.

The Rio Miami is 105 foot tug. She sits upright 67′ beneath the surface.

Schurgar’s and Harry’s Barge are 90 feet long and form a ‘T’ underwater. The wrecks lie 150′ east of Belcher Barge. This is another great dive to do when you are visiting the Belcher.

Sunk in June 1987 just 3 miles off Key Biscayne, the Sheri-Lyn has been a favorite dive for locals and tourists alike for many years. You are guaranteed hundreds of fish from barracuda to Jewfish to an army of arrow crabs and a wide variety of invertebrates and small critters. The 230′ steel freighter is in two sections and has a relief of 15′ to 20′. With so much to see, this is a great dive to do with Nitrox to extend your bottom time. For photographers, it is a hard choice between macro and wide angle. If you camera lets you do both then you are in for some good shots. There is often a slight current on this wreck which keeps the visibility good, even with a lot of divers on the wreck. Always dive with a knife on wrecks in case of entanglement.

A steel hulled freighter sunk in Feb 1983 off the coast of Key Biscayne. This 134′ ship has seen its fair share of storms and is now broken up into many pieces. She is located off of Key Biscayne.

This much publicised wreck was sunk in 82′ off of Key Biscayne in September 1993. There were school projects attached to the top of the fuselage and the entire inside of the plane was stripped out making it a good penetration dive. Unfortunately, the aircraft was made of aluminum and did not stand up to the forces of mother nature. From time to time we hear of sightings of pieces of the plane but not enough interest to plan dives to it.

The St. Anne D’Auray is a 110′ steel ship that was sunk as an artificial reef project put together by RJ Ventures. She is a Russian freighter that was turned by Hurricane Andrew. There are a few resident Goliath grouper on the wreck.

The C-One is a 101′ US Navy steel tug boat was placed at its present site in November, 1990. The vessel is intact with limited penetration and sits in approx. 70′ of water. The wreck lists 45 degrees, giving a spooky dive experience. The C-One sits near a 165′ freighter called The Conception and just 60′ to the east lays the Russian trawler known as The White Ghost. The is a hole under the mid ship that has been made from ocean currents and at the bottom you can reach 82′. The C-One is also a part of the Sunny Isles Reef Site and makes a great dive for novice or advanced divers.

A one-time drug-smuggling ship is now South Florida’s newest artificial reef. U.S. Customs seized the 165-foot Princess Britney during Operation River Walk when they say they found 156 kilograms of cocaine hidden underneath the deck of the engine room. The Princess Britney was sunk around 3.5 miles off the coast of Key Biscayne. The ship came to rest on a sandy bottom about 90 feet below the surface.

The Brandy Wine is 135′ freighter seized by US Customs and was sunk in July of 2001. Due to its depth and size it isn’t a dive that is frequently dove.

One of the most Southern Wrecks we dive from Miami, The Blue fire was sunk Jan 1983. She is 175′ and full of life. Having been underwater for over 20 years, there is incredible life on this wreck. Photographers can expect many large fish including Jacks, snapper, Jewfish, cobia and barracuda for great shots and macro photographers will go crazy with the thousands of critters that have made the Blue Fire their home. Nitrox divers can enjoy bottom times of up to 29 minutes on this dive.

The Deep Freeze is one of our most popular advanced dives. The 210′ freighter lies in 135′ of water. Fairly strong current is the norm here. Relief of about 25′. As one of Miami’s oldest wrecks, she was sunk in October, 1976. Excellent penetration for experienced wreck divers. Popular spot for local spear fishermen. Slight damage from hurricane Andrew.

An awesome wreck dive! The Doc de Milly is 287′ in length with a 50′ relief. This wreck has many resident fish due to the fact that she is not frequently dove due to her distance from Miami. We dive this wreck on special occasions and sometimes on long weekends we will do an all day trip starting at The Doc’. This is an advanced dive and requires previous deep diving experience. Every time I dive this wreck I wish I had 10 cameras, or a roll of 200 shots. Need I say more?

The Etoile de Mer is 80′ frighter seized by US Customs and sunk in July 2001. Due to its depth and size it isn’t a dive that is frequently dove.

Great Miami Wreck sitting in 155 feet of water.

Located just South East of the Orion, The Lakeland was sunk June 1982. She is a 200′ steel freighter with a 25′ relief. Her depth puts her just beyond the sport diving limits but she is a great wreck to get into technical diving. The last time I dove this wreck there were large Jewfish, a huge green moray eel and lots a large schools of tarpon, a schoolmaster snapper.

The Miguana is a 100′ Frighter Seized by US Customs and sunk in July 2001. Due to its depth and size it isn’t a dive that is frequently dove.

Sooooooo deep I can’t remember much about this one. Stay tuned.

The Narwal is a 137′ steel freighter was sunk in 126′ of water in April, 1986. Hurricane Andrew broke the vessel in half and moved it to water 10′ deeper than it originally was. This is where we usually end up when we can’t get on the Andro as it’s pretty close by. An excellent dive, can be affected by strong current as are most wrecks at the 100′ depth line in this area.

The 210 foot freighter, built in 1965 by J.J. Sietas in Hamburg, Germany christened Hoheburg and lastly called Sea Taxi, has become Ophelia Brian sunk off Key Biscayne on the 30th of December 2009. The artificial reef created by the wreck will provide recreational diving, ecotourism and fishing to the residents of Miami-Dade County and visitors from all over the world. MIRA’s purchase of Ophelia Brian was made possible by a generous donation from long time customers of South Beach Divers, the Brian and Lavinia Snyder Foundation. They have chosen to rename the wreck after their daughter, Ophelia, for her eighteenth birthday this year. The Ophelia Brian artificial reef site will assist in diverting diving and fishing pressure from natural coral reefs in the area. For more information about the Ophelia Brian click here Please take a look at the photos and videos we took during the towing and sinking as well as some of the first shots underwater. click here

The Ultra Freeze is a steeled hulled, 195′ freighter with 45 feet of superstructure still attached. The Ultrafreeze in located in the RJ Diving Ventures Site just a few miles off the shore of Miami Beach. Due to her depth, this is for divers holding advanced certification or higher. On most days you will see amberjack, barracuda, jacks, tarpon, snook and dozens of varieties of tropical fish.

The South Beach Water Tower is a 320 ton Art Deco era water tower, mounted on a hopper barge and ballasted with 500 tons of concrete and limestone can be found east of the Westin Resort in an area known for larger ships and deeper diving. It was placed June 27th, 1997. It is considered an entry level dive for technical deep air divers. The tower fell over on its side east of the barge. The top of the barge is at 153′ and you will reach the tower at 143′. Reports are that these are dangerous dive sites. Recreational divers are urged to avoid these wrecks. Technical divers should exercise extreme caution.

The Tacoma was sunk in Feb 2002 and is a 165′ Steel Freighter with a 20 relief. The wreck is in excellent condition and is fully in tact. As this wreck is not frequented by local dive operators, there is a great chance you will see big game fish on this wreck.

The two deep water sections lie in 190 feet of water and rise to 80 feet. When Hurricane Andrew stuck in August, 1992, it caused the two deep towers to list at close to a 45-degree angle.

Sunk July 1982 and sporting a 32′ relief, this wreck is loaded with big fish and excitement. Her depth makes this a technical dive and we only do this with private technical diver groups.

Known locally as Tenneco Towers. Placed at their current location in October, 1985. Tenneco Towers is considered the northernmost dive site for dive operators located in Miami and the most popular dive site on the Southeast coast. The oil rigs were originally used in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas exploration. Tenneco Oil Co. (at their own expense) brought the towers by barge around the Florida Keys and placed them at their present site. The area consists of 3 sites: West Tenneco at 110′ depth, relief of approx. 35′, Middle Tenneco at 120′ depth, approx. 35′ of relief and Deep Tenneco at a depth of 190′ and 185′, 2 towers separated east to west 100′ with approx. 60′ of relief. The towers are home to several hundred species of fish as well as corals and numerous large fish. The platforms are covered with orange cup coral and are frequented by bull sharks, barracuda and amberjack.

The Andro, a 165′ vessel, was originally built as a luxury yacht in 1910. Sunk in 105′ of water in December, 1985. Hurricane Andrew ripped it into a few pieces making it much more interesting, but, at the same time, extremely dangerous. A popular place for local fishermen makes it hard, sometimes, to get divers on the site.

The Tortuga was sunk in April, 1995 for the movie Fair Game. The movie sank a few months later. The 165′ freighter sits in 117′ of water, you can hit the deck at about 90′. Used in the final scene of the movie where it blows up is the actual sinking supervised by DERM. This vessel is the absolute best penetration wreck we have. Lots of fun for the trained and certified wreck diver, it offers a great training ground for wreck diving instructors. Tons of new growth. Very popular deep dive for everyone.