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Great Wreck Dives

Fort Lauderdale and Pompano are home to many great wreck dives. These artificial reefs are all sunken vessels that flourish with lots of marine life with the exception of the Copenhagen, which is a natural reef. Our most popular wreck dives are the following.

Jose Wreck Diving

Jose Wreck Diving
  1. The Capt. Dan was a Former Mission Ship & 175' USCG Bouy Tender Holly-Hock .The ship was sunk in memory for Capt Dan Gamsey in 1990. This intact Wreck sits in 110 feet of water. Its wheel house sits in about 70 feet of water.  It is a great wreck for penetration if you are certified for this specialty.  Large groupers can be seen in this wreck.  It is a great dive for Advance & Nitrox divers.
  2. The Copenhagen. This wreck is one of the most popular historical shipwrecks in Florida and is an Underwater Archaeological Preserve.  The shallow Depths make this spot great for beginners and snorkeling.
  3. Donald G McAllister. Sunk June 23, 1998 as part of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program, this 101 foot former New York harbor boat now lies in 75 feet of water and rises 30 feet off the sea floor.
  4. The Guy Harvey. The Guy Harvey was a 185 foot Haitian freighter originally christened the M/V Lady Kimberly.  Guy Harvey painted sharks and other game fish along the outside of the ship before she was sunk in May 10, 1997 in 140 feet of water.
  5. Hog Heaven. Hog Heaven is a 180 foot barge that lies upside down in around 65 feet of water.  This wreck was sunk as part of the Artificial Reef System and it flipped while it was making its way to the bottom of the ocean spreading the dredge pipes that it was carrying. Another barge, the Wayne, is 200 feet NNE of the Hog Heaven.  Thirty feet north are the remains of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse. Just south you will find 1,200 feet of dredge pipe and concrete bridge beams.  This in one of the best dives in Fort Lauderdale.  This wreck is full of marine life.  Turtles, nurse sharks and goliath groupers make this wreck their home.
  6. Jay Scutti. A 97' Holland Tug Boat, it was sunk on September 19, 1986.  Originally named Airkok from Aruba.  It sits in 70 feet of water and the top is 56 feet deep.  This wreck if completely covered in marine life and attracts a lot of different fish.
  7. M/V Tracy/ Ken Vitale Memorial. A 132 foot oil rig supply boat.  It sits upright in about 67 feet of water, about 100 feet north of the Jay Scutti.  This is a great dive on a fully intact boat. Recently a goliath grouper has made this wreck its home.   Ken Vitale was a well known instructor that died of a heart attack after a dive. On the wreck there is a plaque honoring this well liked local diver.
  8. The Pride & The Moonshot. The Pride is a 95 foot sail boat that was sunk in 1987 and it sits right next to the Moonshot, a 54 foot steel boat.  These wrecks are just 100 feet south of the Scutty.
  9. The Mercedes. The Mercedes is one of the most famous wrecks in Ft Lauderdale.  It is a 198 foot freighter, which on Thanksgiving Day in 1984 during a storm; she lost her anchorage and ran aground against a seawall of an exclusive Palm Beach mansion.  It was sunk in 1985 as part of the artificial reef system.  When Hurricane Andrew came, it almost split in half.  Most of the center section is destroyed, but the bow is still intact.  It is just outside the third reef; which makes this dive one of the best in Fort Lauderdale.
  10. The Rebel. The Rebel sits in 110 feet of water, one mile north of the Mercedes.  It was sunk on July 16, 1985.  It was formally known as the Andrea and it is 135 feet long.  We have seen goliath groupers residing in this wreck.  Part of the wreck has been broken up from the constant beating of hurricanes in the area.
  11. The Rodeo 25. This 215 foot twin-master Dutch Freighter named Windward Trader, reefed in May 1990 to celebrate the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeos 25th anniversary.  It lies in 122 feet of water.  The twin masts reach to within 60 feet and the wheelhouse begins at 90 feet.  This is an Advance Dive. Strong Currents are usual on this wreck.
  12. Tenneco Towers. The Largest artificial reef in southeast Florida was created in 1985 when the Tenneco Oil Company sank five large oil production platforms.  Two of the platforms sit on 100 feet of water and rise within 60 feet of the surface.  A smaller platform sits in about 97 feet and rise to about 65 feet.  This is the closest to shore.  The two deep water sections consist of supporting legs.  They sit in about 190 feet of water with the top rising to about 80 feet.  All of them are Advance Dives.  This area is well known for its current, but when conditions are good this is the most amazing dive in Fort Lauderdale.
  13. Robert Edmister. A 95’ ex USCG Cutter, “Cape Gull”.  It was sunk in 1989.  It is completely covered in marine life.  South of this site lies the Wendy Rosssheim (Our House III).
  14. Wendy Rossheim (Our House III). A 118 foot motor yacht.  It was built in 1947 and was sunk in 1993.  Lies 100 feet south of the Robert Edmister.  This vessel was severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew.  There is a lot of marine life at this site.  A line connects the Edmister and the Wendy.
  15. Jim Atria. Originally named the Poinciana, this ship was sunk in September 1987 by the Broward County Artificial Reef Program.  It is a 240 foot Dutch cargo freighter.  It was laid in 110 feet of water.  Hurricane Andrew moved the ship offshore to about 135 feet deep.  She sits upright with her two masts rising to about 70 feet.  This is an Advance Dive and Deep Diving specialty that comes highly recommended.
  16. Ebenezer. The Ebenezer is a 95 foot freighter that was sunk south of the inlet.  This wreck sits in about 70 feet of water with its bow looking to the south.  This wreck is a great dive and good for penetration practice if you are qualified.  It is completely intact, but be aware that it sits a little bit on an angle towards starboard.
  17. Dantor. The Dantor is a 160 foot freighter that was sunk in 2002 in about 128 feet of water.  It is one of our newest wrecks in the area.  The wreck is completely intact. There isn’t much marine life on this wreck, but you can see that it is starting to grow.
  18. Mercy Jesus. The Mercy Jesus is a 90’ Freighter that was sunk in 1998.  This wreck sits in about 70 feet of water.  This wreck is located north of the Ken Vitale Memorial about 120 feet away.  Even thought it is a small wreck, it attracts a lot of marine life.  A Nurse Shark has made this wreck its home, so be sure to look for him.
  19. Peter McAllister. The Peter McAllister is a 85 foot Tug Boat that was sunk as part of the Artificial Reef in 1998.  The wreck sits in about 70 feet of water.
  20. Captain Ramone. This is a wreck of local knowledge and only a few know how to find it.  It is a small barge that was sunk and sits in about 65 feet of water.  Even though it is a small wreck, it attracts tons of marine life.  Great dive for small groups.

For Safe Diving And Snorkelling The Following Cautions Should Be Considered:
  1. By State law every diver and snorkeler must trail a bright, dive flag so boaters can identify there are people in the water. Be sure your flag has sufficient height and buoyancy to prevent it being pulled under the surface where it would not be visible to boaters. Many divers and snorkelers attach snap hooks to their buoy so they can attach their lobster bags or nets. A snorkeling vest is highly recommended for snorkelers, especially if you feel tired.
  2. Always dive with a buddy.
  3. Watch your weather conditions- beware of strong currents and stormy weather. Some divers use the current to their advantage by getting dropped off up current and then drift dive over the reef. This enables divers to cover a large area with ease. To get yourself out of a rip current swim parallel to the beach and within 20 to 30 feet you will be released from it.
  4. Be a safe diver and dive with certified divers who have been certified through a recognized agency.
Please come in to Lauderdale Diver to purchase your flag and float as well as any other scuba or snorkeling equipment you may need. We also have a book describing all  the local dive and snorkeling sites from Hollywood to Jupiter, Florida.

Please call 954 467 2822 or email us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   to book your dive or snorkel trip or any further questions.
 
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