| Florida has exceptional dive sites that have something | | | | It sits in the exact position it settled to the bottom |
| to offer to scuba enthusiasts regardless of their level | | | | after it was torpedoed. The bow, midships, and |
| of ability. From shallow dives that offer plenty of | | | | superstructure sit upright, but the stern settled |
| bottom time to deeper more technical dives for the | | | | upside down. |
| more experienced diver. | | | | The ship is fairly intact, and is in about 90 feet of |
| BLACKMAR'S REEF: | | | | water. |
| If you are looking for one location that will provide an | | | | Most likely the fish you will spot here will be of the |
| entire week of diving, then Blackmar's Reef might be | | | | large variety. That might include barcuda, nurse |
| just the place for you. | | | | sharks, and big grouper. |
| You will find Blackmar's off the coast of Jacksonville. | | | | If you look carefully at the sea bottom you may |
| It's a diverse scuba site that is both man-made and | | | | spot some extremely large lobster as well. |
| the work of nature. You will find five large wrecks | | | | KINGFISH HOLE: |
| that include airplanes, a super barge, a tug, and even | | | | If your interests lean toward night diving, this site off |
| a ferry boat. | | | | the Treasure Coast might be just the dive for you. |
| To complement these, you will find natural limestone | | | | It has the advantage of being quite shallow at 40 |
| reefs with soft coral growth. Even though the reefs | | | | feet or so, and as a result you have the opportunity |
| are not exceptionally large, it tends to be a magnet | | | | to spend lots of time on the bottom. |
| for a diverse range of marine life. If you are | | | | You'll be able to observe lobsters, and large schools |
| interested in photography, this site is a must visit. | | | | of snapper, and it you're lucky, some nurse sharks |
| THE GATOR BOWL REEF: | | | | having a nap under one of the many overhanging |
| If you are interested in a dive that is one of a kind, | | | | ledges. |
| this site might be of interest to you. After being | | | | THE PLAYGROUND: |
| given a NFL franchise, someone in Jacksonville had | | | | This is for the more serious, experienced diver. The |
| the inspiring idea to drop the press boxes from the | | | | Playground is located in West Palm Beach and sits at |
| old stadium onto a group of small reefs. | | | | 125 feet or so. |
| Now they are a popular Florida diving site and the | | | | Pipes, and culverts are scattered across the sea bed. |
| sprawling press boxes are home to huge schools of | | | | This provides an opportunity to see some very large, |
| assorted game fish. Don't forget your light, because | | | | green moray eels. Barracuda are also in the |
| there are plenty of caves to explore in the same | | | | neighborhood, as are some very big residents such |
| area. | | | | as, eagle rays, whalesharks and even sunfish reaching |
| You will also discover that the gator bowl reef is a | | | | weights over 500 pounds. |
| popular night diving spot. | | | | SAND KEY: |
| COPPEDGE TUG: | | | | This tiny strip of land is located near the southwest |
| As part of the Jacksonville artificial reef program, the | | | | of Key West. It has a huge variety of dive sites as |
| Chippewa was sunk off the coast in 1988. | | | | the island that houses the Key Lighthouse is |
| One advantage of this site is that it sits in only 75 | | | | surrounded by reefs. |
| feet of water. This makes it an excellent dive site | | | | Off the South side, brilliant colored coral can be seen |
| for the beginner as the depth allows for plenty of | | | | in every direction you look. |
| bottom time. | | | | The area is simply teeming with fish and has |
| You will find the tug sitting upright with it's prop still in | | | | interesting trenches that are fun to investigate. |
| place. At first the wreck might be difficut to spot | | | | As you venture further out, the bottom will begin to |
| amongst the thousands and thousands of fish that | | | | slope away. This is where you want to be sure and |
| occupy the reef. | | | | have a camera along as often eagle rays and huge |
| THE HALSEY: | | | | morays can be spotted in the area. |
| This world war II wreck can be found just offshore | | | | Whatever your experience of interests when it |
| of Fort Pierce. | | | | comes to scuba, Florida is sure to have a site to |
| It may well be one of the state's most interesting | | | | make your next dive a memorable one. |
| "natural" wrecks you will enounter. | | | | |