Northeast
Blackmar's Reef
Blackmar's Reef, located off the coast of Jacksonville is actually a collection of five large wrecks, two airplanes and several small natural reefs. The largest of these wrecks are the "Ocean Going Tug", the "Super Barge", and the "Warwick", a ferry boat. The airplanes are a WWII Corsair and a Banshee jet fighter. The natural reefs are limestone ledges with soft coral growth. These reefs may be small, but they are home to some very nice sized lobsters in the 6 - 8 pound range. This reef is encompassed in a relatively small area, and the entire area is like a magnet for marine life. Large spadefish and amberjack are seen in abundance around the wrecks. And both the reefs and wrecks are home to large snapper and grouper. If you enjoy photography, you will be thrilled. With the depth of this reef ranging from 95' - 110' , 100' visibility is not uncommon. You could spend a full week of diving and still not cover all of this reef. But you sure would enjoy trying.
Experience: Intermediate/Advanced
Currents: Light to Moderate
Access: Boat
Depth: 95' - 110'
Visibility: 40' to 100'
Gator Bowl Reef
When Jacksonville was granted an NFL franchise, the Gator Bowl Stadium was torn down to make way for a new stadium to be the home of the Jaguars. And thanks to them, local and visiting divers received a new reef. You can now dive the pressboxes among the array of debris, which are actually located among about a dozen reefs in a small area. It is hard to imagine how big the pressboxes really are until you see them underwater for the first time. They are now home to large schools of spadefish, amberjack and an assortment of gamefish. Also in this area are several large ledges and caves to explore with some huge grouper and other large critters (don't forget your light and camera). Another ledge in this area is called "Red Rock Reef", so named for the colorful soft corals. This is one of the popular night diving areas as well.
Experience: Intermediate/Advanced
Currents: Usually Light
Access: Boat
Depth: 75' - 85'
Visibility: 30' to 50'
East Central
Spearfihing/Lobstering Grounds
This is the popular name for a series of ledges and cliffs at around 80', off the coast of Cape Canaveral. These ledges run on forever but as you work your way down the reefline you will see 8' ledges with dark recesses and 50' further down the ledge nearly dissapears into the sand. You will encounter large grouper and mutton snapper, amberjacks, spadefish and a very large variety of tropical fish. If you watch closely around the larger ledges, you may even spot a nurse shark taking a nap. Some of the biggest lobster we have seen were cuddled up under some of the rocks and medium size ledges. Other than the tropical fish, there is not a lot of color to appeal to the photographer, but if you like gaming or just observing lots of fish, this place will suit you just fine.
Experience: Intermediate (only because of depth) Currents: Usually Light
Access: Boat
Depth: Averages 80'
Visibility: 35' to 60' +
Pecks Lake/Kingfish Hole
Located just south of the St Lucie Inlet at Stuart, this site provides long dives and much to explore. The reefline starts not far off the beach in about 18' and continues out to around 35'. In between are a number of different bottom types. On the shallow side are small patch reefs with small tropicals and an occasional lobster. At about 25' you will encounter huge granite boulders that several different stories account for. Throuhout this long line of boulders you will find spadefish, larger tropicals, snapper, grouper, lobster, morey eels, stingrays and nursesharks. There are many cracks, crevices and swimthroughs to explore with all that air you have to spare. On the outside of this reef you will see numerous barracuda, large snook and sleeping turtles.
Experience: Basic
Currents: Light (but surge can be present)
Access: Boat
Depth: 35' Max.
Visibility: 15' to 60'
Southeast
Double Ledges
Double Ledges is located within about 11/2 miles offshore of the Palm Beach Inlet in Southeast Florida. Due in most part to the Gulf Stream swinging in very close to shore in SE Florida, three traits make diving this area famous: the currents of the Gulf Stream make for drift diving at it's best, and the water is warm and flushed clear on a consistant basis. And because the water gets deep very fast, the boat rides to the dive sites are quite short. Double Ledges is actually a very large ledge the starts at 70' with a ledge to the second tier dropping to 80' and then another ledge dropping to 90' . As you drift along effortlessly, you glide through swarms of snapper and become engulfed in a whirling school of porkfish. Docile turtles follow you down the ledge. Colorful corals and sponges cover the ledges and sea fans are scattered between the tiers. Watch the holes and rocks for some of the biggest green and spotted morays you will ever see. French and Queen Angels are very common all alon the reef. If you enter the water at the right point, you will end up at the end of the reef where it forms into a large circular bowl where you will think you are in an aquarium with thousands of colorful tropicals swirling around you.
Experience: Intermediate/Advanced
Currents: Moderate to Strong
Access: Boat
Depth: 70' - 90'
Visibility: 40' to 100'+
Loggerhead Reef
Located just off Boynton Beach, this beautiful reef is probably one of the nicest yet the shallowest of the nicer reef systems. The inside of the reef starts at about 65' and slopes up to about 40' at the top, then slopes of on the outside to 80' in the sand. It runs north/south for about 300 yards and is loaded with beautiful colors of coral, whips, fans and tons of tropical fish. There are no deep ledges here but you will find parrot fish, morays and an occasional lobster hiding in the shadows. Most dives you will have to make your way through the masses of schooling snappers. Turtles abound here and during the spring and summer, you are almost sure to encounter at least one. Because of the influence of the gulf stream, two things are usually present, good visibility and a current.
Experience: Basic
Currents: Usually gentle, but can be moderate
Access: Boat
Depth: 40' - 80'
Visibility: 40' to 100'+
Keys
The Benwood Wreck
The Benwood Wreck is located in the northern portion of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary about 1 1/2 miles offshore and is visited daily by various charters out of Key Largo. This is an excellent wreckdive for both the novice or advanced diver. The Benwood went down here in 1942 while running without lights to avoid detection by German Submarines. It was rammed by another boat, the Robert Tuttle, and went down rather quickly. The bow is rests at 45' and the stern is at 25'. Having been down for so many years, growth and marine life are profuse. The Benwood can be penetrated, but openings are small, so it is not a wise move. The bottom is mostly void of growth and the gentle slope of the ship makes for great photographic backdrops. Under the bottom on the southside, you will find morays, lobster and grouper hiding out. Macro photographers will love this wreck with numerous Jawfish nests midway along the ship. For the more experienced diver, there is a ledge that runs off the bow. Follow this for about 100' and you will come to an old anchor (much older than the Benwood) rising out of the sand along this ledge. Take care when venturing out this ledge, as currents can be very deceptive and cause you to stray.
Experience: Basic to Intermediate
Currents: None to Strong
Access: Boat
Depth: 25' - 50'
Visibility: 30' - 80'
Sand Key
Sand Key is located just a few miles southwest of Key West and is a popular area for divers and snorkelers. The island is just a tiny strip of sand where the Sand Key Lighthouse is located. All around the island there is good diving to be found, but the best area is on the seaward side (south). In what seems just a few short kicks, you will go from 15' down to 70'. Large stands of coral are seen in every direction, with brilliant colors and teeming with fish. As you swim along you will encounter trenches or sand channels just a few feet across that are fun to navigate. As the bottomslopes away, you may catch sight of eagle rays gliding along or an occasional nurse shark looking for a place to rest it's weary cartilage. Morays come in several sizes here but usually "big" is included. Have plenty of film in your camera and be ready for those memories.
Experience: Basic
Currents: Slight to Mild
Access: Boat
Depth: Several Feet to 70'
Visibility: 35' - 80'+ (depending on depth)
Southwest
Black Hole
Diving off the southwest coast from Naples is for the adventurous diver. Rides to the dive sites can be quite long, sometimes bumpy, and when you enter the water you may have fair visibility. But if you think you can handle this, you will experience dives that will remain with you forever. Many of the reefs and wrecks of this area are still virtually virgin diving. Fish are abundant and very large. There are literally, colonies of Jewfish, meandering nurse sharks, and huge turtle cruising the area. An excellent place to start is the Black Hole. It is located over 20 miles southwest of Naples, this large sinkhole is a 'site' to see. The 100' diameter opening is at 65', and plunges to 215'. Descending the wall of the hole, you notice it takes on an hourglass shape at about 115'. Fish life is in massive numbers and huge Jewfish are usually present. Colorful soft coral and sponges are found on the surrounding ledges and home to gamesize snapper and grouper. If you are into lobstering or spearfishing, you will not want to return to the boat.
Experience: Intermediate/advanced
Currents: Slight to Moderate
Access: Boat
Depth: 65'+
'G' Marker
This area is probably the nicest shallow dive in the area off Clearwater. But to be a good dive, you will need to catch it on a nice calm day, especially in the spring or summer. The depth is only about 25' but provides nice 5' ledges with undercuts and many cracks and crevices. It is not unusual to spot larger critters that you would expect to see in 80'+ depths. Jewfish are spotted regularly here as are turtles, large grouper and nurse sharks. The limestone ledges run for about a half mile but at 25' you will have lots of time to explore.
Experience: Basic
Currents: Slight
Access: Boat
Depth: 25'
Visibility: On a good day, 30'. On a bad day, grope
Northwest
Russian Freighter/San Pablo
The area off Pensacola is well known for it's profusion of artificial reefs. The ongoing program is is one of the best in the state. This Russian Freighter was not originally slated as part of this reef system but is now an often requested dive site. The San Pablo (funny, it does'nt sound like the name of a Russian Freighter) is located approximately 9 miles off the coast of Pensacola. It was cruising the Florida Straits during WWII when it was torpedoed. It was decided that it would be towed to Mobile for repairs. It made it to its present location and sank. Due to it's height, it was later decided that it should be dynamited to avoid problems within the shipping lanes. It is now in in several peices in 75' of water. The stern and boilers remain intact. Being in an area of little bottom growth, the ship has attracted a wide array of marine life. Baitfish and snapper swarm the wreck, while grouper hide among it's many recesses. Barracuda can usually be seen standing sentinal aroun the perimeter of the wreck. If you like wrecks, give this one a try. The freighter is visited regularly by charters out of Pensacola.
Experience: Intermediate
Currents: None to Noticeable
Access: Boat
Depth: 75'
Visibility: Usually good. Poor during winter cold fronts, but can see 100' days.
Warsaw Hole
This is an excellent example of the great reef dives offshore of northwest Florida. Warsaw Hole is located off Panama City and is a horseshoe shaped limestone reef with 4' - 6' ledges. Soft corals and sponges thrive on the reef and provide it with nice color. Lobster can be found here as well as stone crabs. Tropicals of every shape, size and color abound on the reef. Grouper and snapper visit the reef regularly but do not seem to place importance on permanant residence. Have your camera ready for lots of colorful photos.
Experience: Intermediate
Currents: Slight
Access: Boat
Depth: 85'
Visibility: up to 60'
Springs
Crystal River
Just to the north of the Tampa/St Petersburg area is Crystal River. It is probably one of the most popular fresh water dives in the world. It's popularity is due mostly to the Manatees that migrate here in the winter. Within just a few miles of the Gulf of Mexico is an area called Kings Bay where a number of springs are located. These springs with their clear warm waters are the reason the manatees are drawn to them. Between about November to March, as many as several hundred of the gentle giants call Crystal River home. Although there are a number of springs within a relatively small area, only 8 of them are actually diveable. The largest and most popular of these is King Spring. On any given winter day, boats are packed near the entrance point to this spring. Many of these boats are there for snorkeling, so the spring itself is not usually crowded. You cannot take your boat directly over the spring but you can anchor in the river very close. As you swim over the spring and start to descend, you are surrounded by rock walls. at about 35' there are several openings into the caverns. The entrances are large enough to swim in and out of, and to allow sunshine in. When you enter, it seems dim, but you quickly adjust in the crystal clear water. The caverns are large and as you swim through you will make a U along the hall of the cavern and end up at an opening to exit. The deepest point in the cavern is about 60' , and 50' back from the entrance point. Diving the springs is great throughout the year, but if you happen to make it in winter, take some time for photos and swimming with the manatees. These are an endangered species, so be sure to abide by the rules and regulations surrounding these wonderous creatures. There are a number of diving/lodging facilities surrounding the springs and you can rent your own boat or take a charter trip. The remainder of the springs in the area are much smaller and and 15' - 25' deep.
Experience: Open to all divers, but exercise caution as it is an overhead environment
Currents: only the current from the spring
Access: Boat
Depth: To 60'
Devil's Den
Ever wonder what it might have been like to dive a couple million years ago? Probably not, but a trip to Devil's Den will provide you with that experience. Known as Florida's prehistoric spring, it is actually located inside a dry cave. A barely noticeable opening into the ground provides steps down into the cave. Once inside, a large open expanse opens up before you. A wooden stairway leads down to a platform at the center of the crystal clear pool. There is plenty of room to make last minute adjustments and don your fins. Depths in the spring reach over 50' and is quite suitable for open water divers as caves are grated to prevent entry. There are 3 open water training platforms, two with permanent floatballs attached. During your dives, schools of fish will follow you around and you will see catfish and bass as well. Many ancient artifacts have been found in the Den over the years, but you are asked to please leave them alone. Some of the artifacts can be seen on display in the dive shop. Devil's Den is located just southwest of Gainesville in Williston, Florida. The large property has camping, cabins a pool, horseback riding, picnic areas and more. A new dive area is currently under construction. Called the "Fish Pond", it is a 2 1/2 acre concreted dive area that will be stocked with all sorts of fish and it will be complete with structures and swim-throughs. There is also another site just begun that will provide deep dives and advanced classes can be completed at Devil's Den as well.
Experience: Open to all divers, but exercise caution in swimthroughs and where the overhangs provide an overhead environment.
Currents: None
Access: Walk right in
Depth: 50'
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