SCUBA DIVING IN FLORIDA

Diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo offers an extraordinary experience as you explore the first undersea park in the United States. The park is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Divers can expect to see elkhorn and brain corals, schools of parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, as well as lobsters and moray eels hiding among the corals. One of the park's most famous attractions is the Christ of the Abyss statue, a stunning bronze sculpture that sits in about 25 feet of water, offering a surreal and spiritual underwater encounter.

Molasses Reef, also in Key Largo, is one of Florida’s most beloved dive sites, known for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life. The reef’s structure is a series of coral ledges and spur-and-groove formations that provide habitat for a wide variety of sea creatures. Divers can expect to encounter nurse sharks, barracudas, rays, and large schools of blue tangs and snappers. The reef is also dotted with colorful sponges and sea fans, making it a paradise for underwater photographers. The clear visibility and relatively shallow depths make Molasses Reef accessible and enjoyable for divers of all levels.

The USNS Vandenberg, located off the coast of Key West, is a massive artificial reef created from a decommissioned military ship. Sunk in 2009, the Vandenberg has since become one of the premier wreck dives in the world. As you descend, you’ll be struck by the sheer size of the ship, which rests on the ocean floor at depths of 140 to 150 feet. The wreck is covered in corals and sponges, attracting a wide range of marine life including large barracudas, groupers, and even the occasional reef shark. Divers can explore the ship’s various sections, including its towering radar dishes and open cargo holds, providing endless opportunities for discovery.

Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach is a top site for divers who enjoy macro photography and observing small, unique marine life. The site is known for its shallow depths, calm waters, and an incredible variety of creatures that inhabit the area. As you explore the sandy bottom and artificial reefs, you might spot seahorses, octopuses, frogfish, and an array of colorful nudibranchs. The bridge’s pilings are encrusted with sponges and corals, attracting schools of tropical fish and even occasional rays and manatees. Blue Heron Bridge is particularly popular for night dives, when even more elusive creatures come out to hunt.

The Spiegel Grove, another renowned wreck dive in Key Largo, is a massive 510-foot-long former Navy ship that was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. The ship lies on its starboard side in about 130 feet of water, offering an exciting dive for those looking to explore a large and complex wreck. Divers can swim through the open passageways, explore the massive deck, and observe the abundant marine life that now calls the wreck home. Schools of jacks, snappers, and angelfish are common sightings, along with larger predators like barracudas and reef sharks. The size and depth of the Spiegel Grove make it a dive site that can be explored multiple times, with new details to discover on each dive.

Devil’s Den in Central Florida offers a completely different diving experience compared to the coastal sites. This prehistoric underground spring, located near Williston, is accessed through a small opening that leads to a large underground cavern filled with crystal-clear water. The cavern is illuminated by natural light streaming in from the opening above, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadows. Inside, divers can explore the submerged rock formations, which are over 30 million years old, and spot small fish and turtles that inhabit the spring. Devil’s Den’s unique geological features and tranquil environment make it a popular destination for both divers and snorkelers looking for something off the beaten path.