38 replies to this topic

[pmarie]

The Eagle is my favorite wreck in the Keys. I have been given to understand, maybe Barb can confirm or deny, that the Thunderbolt is very similar or much like the Eagle. I have been on the Duane about 20 times and will be on it again in a couple of weeks, and certainly will enjoy it again, and again, and again!

Seriously, For the reefs I do not know of any destinations other than the most popular ones, which is why I'm hoping that we can have an itinerary that includes reefs that are less accessible. I'm confident that anyone who dives in the Keys will take away fabulous memories and hopefully more unique for the experience on a live-a-board.

[ScubaShafer]

Good input everyone!

Here is a link to a pretty good web site for all the Key's wrecks:

The Florida Keys Shipwreck Expo

Check it out!

I could spend 2-3 dives on the Spiegel Grove that week, but being a deeper wreck, we would need to spread them out over a couple of days. Of course, I can do the Eagle and Duane time and time again.

Also, there are some pretty good reefs up and down the Keys that not a lot of operators frequent daily/weekly e.g. the deep side of the Benwood. Wish I knew more names of the infrequent sites. There are a lot of wrecks that are pretty broken apart and more like reefs e.g. the Benwood.

I'll try to find out more of the infrequent sites from my buddies at Rainbow Reef in Key Largo.

[WreckWench]

I'll try to find out more of the infrequent sites from my buddies at Rainbow Reef in Key Largo.

Awesome! Thank you! kamala

[WreckWench]

Any other places or spots to add to the list?

[Victoria]

Here's a few you may want to throw into the mix:

KEY LARGO:
CARYSFORT REEF
Depth Range: 35-70 feet
Experience Level: Intermediate
Location: 25º13.80 80º12.74
Because of its distance from the more central dive sites, comparatively few divers visit this reef although it is of exceptional interest and beauty offering a variety of dive options from shallow to deep dives. The shallow upper section of the reef abounds with marine life and is perfect for snorkelers.
*****

ISLAMORADA:
CONCH REEF
Depth Range: Shallow to 100 feet
Experience Level: Novice to Advanced
Location: 24º57.11 80º27.57
The most remarkable aspect of this reef is its proliferation of barrel sponges covering much of the reef area; the second is its depth. The upper section of the slope lies at an average depth of 50 ft., but its base extends to 90 ft. where a wide strip of sand running parallel to the reef lends added definition to its contours. You will observe a variety of gorgonians and reef species, and thanks to the depth its not unusual to view pelagic fish.
*****

THE SAN JOSE AND THE INFANTE
Depth Range: 12-15 feet
Experience Level: Novice
Location 14º10.85 43º26.77
Two galleons belonging to the famous Silver Plate Fleet of 1733 were lost in a hurricane off the Keys and went down within a mile of one another. Not much is left of the Infante except some timber planking originally from the ship's deck and ballast stones of all shapes and sizes scattered over roughly an acre. The San Jose collided with the sand flats, her stern section disintegrated and became detached from the main hull which sank another 200 yards away with its ballast stones. (If anyone's got a a good submersible metal detector, this area may be rather entertaining. When I lived in Key West, several people I knew found the occasional doubloon in this area after an active hurricane season stirred things up.)
*****

MARATHON:
THE GAP
Depth Range: 50-80 feet
Experience Level: Intermediate
A drop off reef running east to west. It slopes from 50 feet north to 80 feet south. You'll see larger than average angel fish due to the depth. Occasional strong current. (Drift dive mebbe?)
*****

LOWER KEYS:
LOOE KEY REEF
Depth Range: 5-35 feet
Experience Level: Novice to Intermediate and Advanced
One of the loveliest and most prolific reefs in the Keys. The frigate, H.M.S. Looe, accidentally ran hard aground in 1744; remains of the ship lie between two fingers of coral near the eastern end of the reef although only the ballast and anchor remain visible to the trained eye. Totally unlike any of the reefs in the Keys, containing a variety of corals, monastera, sea fans and innumerable fish species this makes for an exceptional diving experience.
*****

OUTSIDE REEFS
Depth Range: 40-210 feet
Experience Level: Intermediate and Advanced
For the more experienced diver, all along the Keys south of the main shallow reefs, are the Gulf Stream reefs. A prolific gallery of deep-water corals and fish, these deep dives are different from anything anywhere else in the Keys.
*****

ROCK KEY AND
EASTERN DRY ROCKS
Depth Range: 5-35 feet
Experience Level: All levels
Location: 24º27.21 81º51.60 Rock Key
Location: 24º27.50 81º50.44 Dry Rocks
Two popular dive spots typical of most reef formations in the area with long fingers of coral with sand and coral-filled canyons in between. But their real claim to fame are their 19th century wrecks - providing huge quantities of ballast and artifacts.
*****

WESTERN DRY ROCKS
Depth Range: 5-120 feet
Experience Level: Novice to Advanced
Further away from popular reefs closer to Key West, this area has not suffered the reef damage associated with heavy usage. Large quantities of elkhorn and staghorn coral, numerous crevices and caves, and large marine life make this well worth a long trip.
*****

ALEXANDER'S WRECK
Depth Range: 30 feet
Experience Level: Novice to Advanced
A destroyer escort, purchased from the Navy and sunk by local commercial salver Chet Alexander, is a popular dive spot but only occasionally visited by commercial dive boats. The wreck is broken in half, with the stern section lying 150 yards or so north of the bow, which is awash on most tides. Despite the fact that part of the hull is clear of the water, the wreck is difficult to see - a number of captains have hit the jagged metal tear that juts above the water, ruining props and rudders. This former navy vessel lies on its side and is home for thousands of fish and the hull itself is covered with Leavy oysters.
*****

THE AQUANAUT
Depth Range: 75 feet
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
One of Chet Alexander's other dive sites is the wreck of the tugboat Aquanaut. This 55' wooden salvage tug sits upright in 75 feet of water on the edge of the Gulfstream on a flat sandy bottom. The tug is intact and in nearly perfect condition. The wreck hosts a variety of fish life, when on the deck of the ship a macro closeup lens is very useful.
*****

JOE'S TUG
Depth Range: 65 feet
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
A small tugboat, discovered recently by a local diver, sits upright and is an easy swim through. Open access to the wheel house and aft deck make this an enjoyable dive. Visibility is usually good due to its location outside of the reef and offers a great photographic location with a wide variety of corals and marine life.
*****

COTTRELL REEF (GULF SIDE REEF)
Depth Range: 3-15 feet
Experience Level: Novice or Intermediate
An excellent reef for beginning snorkelers and an alternative dive spot when the weather is bad on the Atlantic side of the Keys. Covered with gorgonians and sponges, the ledges and banks of this reef provide a wide variety of reef fish.
*****

Just my 2psi....

[Fishwatcher]

I like Victoria's suggestions! I think it's good visits sites with a variety of depths (I don't use up my gas as quickly under 75'). I've been to some of the popular Key Largo and John Pennekamp dive sites, so I'd just as soon spend more time South of Key Largo and try a drift dive or two.

I've read about some good drift diving in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and would like to experience those locations on a future trip.

[hambergler]

I really want to dive the wreck of the "Piso Mojado".

If you know who Bart and Lisa are, you know what I'm talking about. Excellent...wreck.

[WreckWench]

Great replies!~

Glad we still have lots of time before we have to decide which ones we are doing!

p.s. tell your friends...while I hope this becomes a regular destination...this may be the ONE AND ONLY FLORIDA KEYS OCEANSIDE KRAWL!!!!

[divzac]

I apologize in advance. Please, please take this with a grain of salt and consideration. The reefs listed are very popular reefs and while wonderful to dive, they are reefs that have divers on them all of the time. I truly believed the purpose of the Live-a-board setting was to get to reefs that other divers through normal charters and operators do not get to dive. I completely understand the wrecks, with the exception of the City of Washington and Benwood. These are typically classified as "reefs" due to depth and condition. I also would prefer to avoid the Pennekamp area as that is also a heavily dived (is that a word?) area.

If I have offended I certainly had no intention and do apologize. I would just like to see this be a better that average trip for the $$. I would like to see reefs that are not crowded or less frequently visited due to location.

pmarie, I would agree with you as that has been my experience as well.

[divzac]

O.K. Keys Trippers! Here we go. I have volunteered to work on the list of sites that we will be diving and report back to all the important poeple. so far there are many good suggestions but we can't possibly dive them all in 5 days. I thought it would be good to hear of the ones that you just can't do without so I can try to make it happen your way.
I heard from pmarie's vote for Thunderbolt, Harley Guy 33458 likes the S. Grove, the Duane and Bib, as well as some MIami sites. Scuba Shafer likes the Duane, too (me too BTW). Fishwatcher says "I'd just as soon spend more time South of Key Largo and try a drift dive or two." Hambergler chimes in withPost #22 " I really want to dive the wreck of the "Piso Mojado"."
If you plan to go on the trip or you know of something that's a "must-do" please speak up.
I plan to go to the Keys and do a "Recon" mission to attempt to do a good job. (somebody's got to do it ) If you know of an operator that I should talk to on my journey let me know that too. What sites need a visit to insure a good briefing? etc...
And of course I do NOT WANT TO DIVE BUDDYLESS so if you will be in the area around April come-on-down!!!
Enough for now, missionn volunteer guy, Zach

[pmarie]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

[hambergler]

Nobody has snapped to my "The Simpsons" reference. Don't you people waste time watching Simpsons and Family Guy like me?

[divzac]

Nobody has snapped to my "The Simpsons" reference. Don't you people waste time watching Simpsons and Family Guy like me?

Doh! sorry dude, I get it.... all but the wreck part. I'm just making notes here

[divzac]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

OK, what do I need to be aware of? Hope to dive with you. It's been too long!

[ScubaFred]

O.K. Keys Trippers! Here we go. I have volunteered to work on the list of sites that we will be diving and report back to all the important poeple. so far there are many good suggestions but we can't possibly dive them all in 5 days. I thought it would be good to hear of the ones that you just can't do without so I can try to make it happen your way.
I heard from pmarie's vote for Thunderbolt, Harley Guy 33458 likes the S. Grove, the Duane and Bib, as well as some MIami sites. Scuba Shafer likes the Duane, too (me too BTW). Fishwatcher says "I'd just as soon spend more time South of Key Largo and try a drift dive or two." Hambergler chimes in withPost #22 " I really want to dive the wreck of the "Piso Mojado"."
If you plan to go on the trip or you know of something that's a "must-do" please speak up.
I plan to go to the Keys and do a "Recon" mission to attempt to do a good job. (somebody's got to do it ) If you know of an operator that I should talk to on my journey let me know that too. What sites need a visit to insure a good briefing? etc...
And of course I do NOT WANT TO DIVE BUDDYLESS so if you will be in the area around April come-on-down!!!
Enough for now, missionn volunteer guy, Zach

The Spiegel Grove is a must-dive for me. I've done the Thunderbolt twice and wouldn't mind it again if the group wants to.
I meant to spell-check, just wanted you to know that twice on the Thunderbolt and I should know how to spell it.

Edited by ScubaFred, 25 February 2009 - 10:10 PM.