The Miami area is home to the worlds largest artificial reef program. Since the early 1970's over 35 diveable wrecks have been placed (many more in deeper water for fishing). These wrecks have been prepared so that dives can be made safely, e.g. doors removed and holes either cut or blown through bulkheads and outer hulls. Over the years these wrecks have become a haven for marine life. We hope you find the information on this site helpful in discovering and exploring the wonders of underwater Miami.
Growing up in Miami and Key Largo, I was lucky enough to experience some of the highest rated scuba diving in the world. When you travel to or live in a place like Miami, exploring the underwater world of nature and adventure is a must. Come journey with us as we help you learn more about scuba diving in Miami. Use the site to find Miami dive shops, certified SCUBA instructors, group and private SCUBA diving charters and the latest diving gear on the market. Besides Miami and the Florida Keys, another great time to dive is on Caribbean vacations. We are building up a database of Caribbean dive spots with ratings and review. Click here to learn more about Caribbean vacations and dive pacakges.
Some of the most popular Miami Dive Spots include:
- Pacific Reef: Located just outside of Cesars Creek in the southern part of Biscayne National Park, Pacific Reef provides some nice coral, fish and a good overall dive experience.
- Sheri-Lynn: A Dutch freighter that is located off the island of Key Biscayne. It was sunk by DERM as part of an artificial reef site.
- AJAX Reef: Just north of Key Largo is a fun reef with some pretty coral heads and fish action. Be careful of strong currents.
Since man started to expand his horizons, he used the sea as a primary avenue for his travel. In doing so, man also left behind a legacy for future generations. With the advent of SCUBA, the waters of the world became available to those willing to explore the other 60% of the globe.
We are able to travel to locations close to home or as far as the Pacific, the Red Sea, the Caribbean, or even the Great Lakes to participate in wreck diving. Wreck diving can take several forms including natural wrecks, artificial reef sites, historic wrecks caused by war, or natural disasters.
Throughout the ages man has built a strong navy to protect his homelands or conquer new worlds. Some early warships, many dating back several thousand years, have been discovered in the Mediterranean. Newer wrecks from World War I and II can be found as close as the eastern coast of the United States. The waters off New York and New Jersey contain so many it is known as Wreck Valley! These waters include hundreds of ships, many torpedoed by U-Boats. This area is home to three famous wrecks including the USS San Diego, a giant wreck nearly 600 feet long, the U-853, a German U-Boat with the distinction of being the last U-Boat sunk in World War II, and probably the most famous wreck on the east coat, the Andrea Doria, a 700 foot long superliner sunk in 248 feet of water.
Other destinations for avid wreck diving include Truk Lagoon in Micronesia where the Japanese fleet was sunk during Operation Hailstorm. Scapa Flow in the North Sea is the resting place for many German and Allied ships. Advanced diving skills are required for many of these sites.
An additional form of wreck diving includes historic sites than can include old freighters lost on the high seas or the Great Lakes. In Florida, wreck sites of Spanish Galleons are available. Training for historic wreck diving is available locally, and is a fascinating adventure.
The Miami area is home to the worlds largest artificial reef program. Since the early 1970's over 35 diveable wrecks have been placed (many more in deeper water for fishing). These wrecks have been prepared so that dives can be made safely, e.g. doors removed and holes either cut or blown through bulkheads and outer hulls. Over the years these wrecks have become a haven for marine life.
Wreck diving is one of the most exciting forms of diving available. Participation is as close as the local shores of Dade County or as far as you want to travel. Take advantage of the abundance of artificial reefs near Miami, there are few locations in the world that can compare for the sheer number of sites.
Miami is truely a world class diving destination as well as a destination that provides unlimited fun and adventure. Here, we have tried to bring together a bounty of information on the awesome wonder of the Artificial Reef Capital of the U.S.
If you are looking to buy or looking to rent, Miami has some of the best dive shops around. With competitive pricing and experienced divers to give you adivce, you can find the right SCUBA dive equipment for you in Miami. The dive shops can also help you out with Dive Lessons, Instructors and Dive Charters. We recommend Austins Dive Center in Pinecrest.
Use the resources below to explore our site about scuba diving and Miami.