The abundance of shipwreck dives of Florida provides an exhilarating experience for the seasoned and adventurous diver. In addition to being fascinating places to explore history, it is an interesting look at how foreign objects become home to a multitude of organic life. Any diver considering a shipwreck dive should first attain the proper training and certification, as there are unique elements to a wreck dive that differentiate it from an ordinary open water dive. That said, here are three of the most popular shipwreck dives in Florida for those that are ready to take the plunge!
Spiegel Grove
With wreckage of multiple ships dotting most of the Sunshine State’s coastline, choosing one to explore is simply a matter of location and your experience level. One of the most popular shipwreck dives of Florida is the Spiegel Grove, located in the Florida Keys. The upper portion of the ship is at a depth of 50 feet, making it easily reachable from the surface. Thanks to the crystal clear water, this shipwreck can be seen from the surface, and is home to many tropical fish that draw photographers from all over the world.
Oriskany
The Oriskany ranks high among the most popular shipwreck dives of Florida, as it is the world’s largest artificial reef. An 888-foot aircraft carrier, this shipwreck is found in the Gulf of Mexico 20 miles off the Pensacola coast. The Oriskany served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, but now plays host to a variety of fish, including several species of shark.
SS Copenhagen
The SS Copenhagen is yet another fantastic shipwreck dive off Florida’s Atlantic coastline. It was a steamship that crashed into a Pompano Beach reef in 1900, becoming home to a thriving marine life population and later declared an Underwater Archaeological Preserve in 1994. Built in Sunderland, England in 1898, the SS Copenhagen ran permanently aground two years later as it attempted to sail the Atlantic from Philadelphia to Havana, Cuba carrying 5,000 tons of coal.
