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Diving Naval Shipwrecks in Florida

Diving Naval Shipwrecks in Florida

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on November 1, 2015

Many divers want to touch a piece of history. For these folks, diving the sunken hulks of once mighty military ships is their true calling and Florida, with its hundreds of miles of coastline along two waterways, is a great destination. While not all ships go down due to storms or outside forces, these historic vessels are no less interesting. Here are just a few of the places to hit if diving naval shipwrecks in Florida is where you want to be.

USS Oriskany

A giant on the sea floor, the USS Oriskany was sunk 22 miles south of Pensacola in more than 200 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico. Called “The Mighty O,” this aircraft carrier saw a lot of action in her day. She earned two battle stars for service during the Korean War and ten for service during Vietnam.

The Mighty O is now the largest artificial reef in the world, nicknamed “The Great Carrier Reef,” and  is home to a myriad of colorful fish and other sea life. The flight deck is at 145 feet but there are many sights to see above 100 feet as well, with the top of the ship at an 80 foot depth. This dive can accommodate a variety of skill levels.

USS Spiegel Grove

On active duty from 1956 until 1989, the USS Spiegel Grove was a major player for the US Navy during the Cold War. She now lies beneath the Atlantic near Key Largo. A planned sinking in 2002 went slightly awry when the ship sank unexpectedly during the scuttling preparations. Fortunately, no one was injured in the sinking and, almost immediately, area marine life adopted the ship as its own. In 2005, Hurricane Dennis shifted the wreck, pushing it from where it had lain on its starboard side to its originally intended upright position.

The Spiegel is not for beginners. This 510 foot wreck is enormous, lying at a 130 foot depth. You’ll need advanced certification or higher to dive the wreck. Those who wish to penetrate the interior will need to show experience diving overhead environments.

USS Sturtevant

A victim of underwater mines laid to protect the Florida coastline, the USS Sturtevant sank in the Gulf of Mexico on April 6, 1942, just seven miles north of Key West. Fifteen crew members were killed in the three explosions that sent the Sturtevant to the bottom, but the remaining 152 survived. Even at a relatively shallow 65 feet, visibility on this site is only about 20 feet and the silty bottom is easily stirred up. The 314 foot ship is broken into two sections with a large debris field. It is a popular fishing spot so divers need to be wary of nets and lines in the water, as well as the neighborhood bull sharks known to frequent the area. This wreck is a unique piece of history that should be approached with all due respect.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro