Reefs and Wrecks in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Our numerous artificial reefs, together with our abundant natural reefs, are haven for fish and invertebrate life causing the Greater Fort Lauderdale area to be recognized by Scuba Diving Magazine with Top Ten World's Best awards for Marine Life and Wreck Diving.

The Atlantic waters off Southeast Florida are warm year round and wash over three unique north-south running coral reef lines. The first reef is just 100 yards from shore at its closest points and is at a depth of about 20 feet. The second reef is 2/3 of a mile from shore and is at a depth of 30 - 40 feet. The third reef is about a mile from shore and depth ranges from 50 - 70 feet. Reef dives here are done as drift dives because there is usually a mild northbound current.

Courtesy of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program (BCARP), over 25 ships ranging from 30 to 300 feet in depth (most allowing penetration) and several large structures rest on the ocean floor at depths that appeal to sport and technical divers. Visit Sunny.org for more information about diving in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Shore Diving

The favorite shore dive for locals is off Datura Avenue in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Regarded by many as the "Best Shore Dive in Florida," the area hosts over 300 species of fish. The Shipwreck Snorkel Trail includes an authentic anchor, replicas of cannons, and ballast piles.

for detailed information on shore diving off
Datura Avenue and the Shipwreck Snorkel Trail.

Natural Reefs -- Sorted by Depth
Max Depth		Name	Max Depth		Name
fsw	msw	Name	fsw	msw	Name
15	5	Nolan's Ledge	60	18	Moray Bend
43	13	Separated Rocks	60	18	Spotfin Reef
44	13	Johnson's Mound	65	20	Fink's Grouper Hole
45	14	Hillsboro Domes	65	20	Pompano 3rd Reef
45	14	Hillsboro Ledge	70	21	Crab Cove
45	14	Horseshoe	70	21	Spanish River Ledges
45	14	Steve's Ledge	93	28	Sinkhole
58	18	Anglin Pier	95	29	Trench
60	18	Mark's Ledge

Max Depth		Name	Wreck	Sunk
Artificial Reefs (up to 129')
Sport Diving Artificial Reefs -- Sorted by Depth
fsw	msw	Name	Wreck	Sunk
14	4	Erojacks Yankee Clipper	Concrete jacks	Runs east and west.
31	9	Copenhagen	325-foot steamer	Underwater archaeological preserve.
65	20	Berry Patch	65-foot tug with three other vessels	Sunk 1987 by BCARP. Torn up by hurricanes. Rests upright with bow NW and stern SE.
70	21	Ancient Mariner	165-foot USCG cutter (and work boat)	Sunk 1991 by BCARP.
70	21	Hog Heaven	180-foot barge, dredge pipe, lighthouse	Sunk 1985 by BCARP. Rests upside-down with dredge pipe and concrete bridge beams.
70	21	Qualmann Barge	100-foot barge
70	21	Robert Edmister	95-foot USCG cutter	Sunk 1989 by BCARP.
70	21	United Caribbean	185-foot freighter	Sunk in 2000.
72	22	Sea Emperor	100-foot barge	Rests upside-down.
75	23	Jay Scutti/Tracy	97-foot tug and 95-foot rag boat	Sunk 1986. Rest near each other with line between them.
80	24	Jay Dorman	130-foot schooner	Sunk 1988 by BCARP.
80	24	Noula Express	114-foot freighter torn into three pieces	Sunk 1991 by BCARP.
97	30	Mercedes	190-foot freighter	Sunk 1985 by BCARP.
110	34	Capt. Dan	175-foot USCG buoy tender	Sunk 1990 by BCARP. Rests upright.
110	34	Rebel	150-foot freighter	Sunk 1985 by BCARP.
110	34	Union Express	174-foot freighter	Sunk 1991. Rests upright with bow north and stern south.
112	34	RSB-1	160-foot Navy range vessel	Sunk 1994.

Max Depth		Name	Wreck	Sunk
Artificial Reefs (130' and deeper)
Technical Diving Artificial Reefs -- Sorted by Depth
fsw	msw	Name	Wreck	Sunk
130	40	Rodeo #25	215-foot freighter	Sunk 1990 by BCARP. Rests upright.
133	41	Jim Atria	240-foot freighter	Sunk 1987 by BCARP. Rests upright.
145	44	Guy Harvey	185-foot freighter	Sunk 1997 by BCARP.
145	44	Trio Bravo	140-foot tug	Sunk 1982 by BCARP.
165	50	Miller Lite	186-foot freighter	Sunk 1987 by BCARP.
175	53	Clinton	170-foot dredge	Sunk in 1995.
175	53	Hydro Atlantic	300-foot dredge	Sank 1987.
190	58	Tenneco Oil Rig	Oil drilling platform, towers, and legs	Placed in 1985.
200	61	Sky Cliff	230-foot freighter
205	58	Renegade	150-foot freighter	Sunk 1985 by BCARP.
210	64	Lowrance	435-foot freighter	Sunk 1984 by BCARP.
215	66	Sucre--Johnny Morris	200-foot freighter	Sunk 1996. Rests upright.
240	73	Caicos Express	185-foot freighter	Sunk 1985 by BCARP.
260	79	Ronald B. Johnson, Corey and Chris	226-foot bulk carrier	Sunk 1989 by BCARP.
287	88	Bill Boyd	211-foot freighter	Sunk 1986 by BCARP.
290	88	Papa's Reef	170-foot freighter	Sunk 1989 by BCARP.

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Just contact us to request a correction.

Last Updated: 24-Aug-2008

Reefs and Wrecks in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Shore Diving

Artificial Reefs (up to 129')

Artificial Reefs (130' and deeper)