7 Best Shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale
Reading Time: 10 minutes 76 Shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale and counting. Is Fort Lauderdale the shipwreck diving capital of the US? We’ll let you decide.
Shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale
With 76 shipwrecks and counting, it’s hard to argue that Fort Lauderdale isn’t the best wreck diving location in the US. Sure, we often get overlooked by the Spiegel Grove, Vandenberg, and Duane Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys – those wrecks are epic. But that’s it. That’s all the Keys has to offer.
Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, has shipwrecks similar in size, stature and challenge to the famous wrecks of the Keys – and then some.
Deep wrecks. Shallow wrecks. Penetrable wrecks. And massive wrecks. We have it all.
So come one, come all! There’s a shipwreck ready for every level of diver in South Florida’s premier diving destination!
Why are there so many shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale?
Since the 80s, Broward County has dedicated resources to preserving the reefs of South Florida. Alas, it may be to save face for the reef destruction from Port Everglades expansion – but that’s neither here nor there.
NOTE: Visit Miami Water Keeper, a nonprofit fighting to save our coral reefs, to learn more about devastating expansion projects and how you can help.
Either way, Broward County has dropped 150+ artificial reefs including 76 shipwrecks since the 1980s. It’s called the Broward County Artificial Reef Program and it’s provided divers and fishermen some pretty cool sites to visit.
The artificial reefs serve as an attachment site for coral; the coral grows and attracts marine life of all sorts. It’s a win for divers. A win for fishermen. And a win for the underwater world!
Best of the Bunch: Shipwrecks of Fort Lauderdale
Which brings us to the main event: the best shipwreck dives in Fort Lauderdale! Drum roll please….
7. Ebenezer II
The Ebenezer II is a relatively new shipwreck to the area as it was sunk in 2002. Not very long ago, comparatively speaking to some of the others.
The 95′ freighter sits on its side 70′ below the surface. The top deck features a cargo bay ready for wreck penetration and a main cabin that even the best divers could get lost in. Only enter the wreck if you’ve been trained to do so!
With a cherry on top, the wreck itself backs up to a section of Fort Lauderdale’s third reef. So when you’ve thoroughly explored the wreck, head over to the reef and see what critters you might find (we’ve hunted lobster and plenty of lionfish over here).
Best for: Wreck Penetration for Beginners
Coordinates: 26° 00.398′ N 80° 05.589′ W
6. Robert Edmister
The Robert Edmister dive site isn’t just one wreck, but rather a combo of three. A mini wreck trek of sorts (more on THE wreck trek of Fort Lauderdale later).
Although, the main event at this dive site is the Robert Edmister, a former 85′ coast guard cutter. The wreck itself offers limited penetration opportunities but the fun part of this dive site is exploring the two other nearby shipwrecks.
To the north, connected by a line, is the Paul Sherman. To the south, again connected by a line, is the Wendy Rossheim. Three shipwrecks on one dive? Sign me up!
Best for: Underwater Exploration
Coordinates: 26° 09.193′ N 80° 04.837′ W
FUN FACT
The Wendy Rossheim may be the most famous boat in all of South Florida and most people don’t even know it. For all you James Bond fans out there, the Wendy Rossheim made several appearances as the Disco Volante, a fictional yacht in the 1965 movie, Thunderball, starring Sean Connery!
5. The Houseboat
One of two ACTUAL shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale. Meaning, this bad boy sunk on its own with no help from the Broward County Artificial Reef Program in 1974.
Reef saving venture? Nope. Just some salty sailor who had a bad day.
But hey, who’s complaining today? This wreck is awesome (although extremely small). But that’s okay, because you won’t spend much time on the wreck itself anyway.
The surrounding area is gorgeous. High relief patch reefs are waiting to be discovered with fields of a failed environmental project from the 1970s (a tale of how good intentions are ruined by bad ideas).
Best for: Wreck and reef combo.
Coordinates: 26° 06.677′ N 80° 03.716′ W
TRIVIA
Can you name the other “real” shipwreck in Broward County? Hint, hint: it was sunk off the shore of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in 1906. Leave your answer in a comment below!
4. Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek
Three massive shipwrecks, one dive. Impossible, right? Not quite!
The Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek is a series of three large wrecks: the Jay Scutti, Tracey (Ken Vitale), and Merci Jesus. Each are unique in their own way except one commonality:
All three were seized by US Customs for smuggling drugs into the country. South Florida isn’t known for the Cocaine Cowboys of the 80s for no reason!
When drifting this site, dive charters will drop you on one wreck (either the Merci Jesus or Jay Scutti as they’re the northernmost and southernmost, respectively) depending on current.
From there, you’ll bounce to the Tracey (Ken Vitale) in the middle before drifting over the final shipwreck! Each wreck is separated by merely 200 feet so bouncing from wreck to wreck is much easier than you think!
Good for: epic drift diving!
Coordinates:
Jay Scutti: 26° 09.520′ N 80° 04.760′ W
Tracey: 26° 09.559′ N 80° 04.763′ W
Merci Jesus: 26 09.635′ N 80 04.747′ W
3. Hog Heaven
A beacon of successful artificial reefs in Fort Lauderdale. Hog Heaven is a dumping ground of recycled steel and twisted metal. And I mean that in the best way possible.
This dive site is booming with life after a series of successful artificial reef deployments. Two barges, airplane wings, an old lighthouse, pontoons, pipes and mine carts to name a few.
However, the main event is the 180′ barge known as Hog Heaven. The massive shipwreck flipped over as it fluttered to the ocean floor back in 1986. Today, walls are torn off exposing swim throughs, penetration sites, and enough square foot for divers to spend every day here without getting bored.
Nearby you can find the two next largest structures: the Pacific Reef Lighthouse (now known as the Jungle Gym) and another barge named the Wayne. All of which provide a seemingly endless supply of marine life for you to enjoy!
Best for: New and advanced divers, big groups, and endless exploration!
Coordinates: 26 08.102′ N 80 04.786′ W
2. Mercedes
The Mercedes was close to being a true shipwreck. But instead of the sandy bottom of South Florida, it washed ashore on the sandy shores of Palm Beach. Yikes!
Abandoned during a storm back in 1984, the 190′ German freighter just so happened to wash ashore behind famous socialite, Mollie Wilmot’s Palm Beach home. The story became national news.
The ship was set to sink after Broward County purchased the boat following its removal from Palm Beach. On March 30, 1985, the boat was loaded with explosives and sent to Davy Jones’ Locker just off the shore of Fort Lauderdale in a very public event.
Since then, Hurricane Andrew and others have done no favors to the wreck. It’s been battered, bruised, split into two, and shifted entirely to a different location 90′ below the surface. It rests today in the middle of third reef in a graveyard of twisted metal but remains one of the most popular dive sites in Fort Lauderdale!
Best for: Deep diving, lionfish hunting and a reef/wreck combo!
Coordinates: 26 09.370′ N 80 04.513′ W
1. Tenneco Towers
The granddaddy of them all. Tenneco Towers is the most searched dive site in South Florida (according to my own research) and it’s not even close. And for good reason. This dive site is THAT epic.
South Florida’s largest artificial reef, Tenneco Towers is actually a series of five different oil rig platforms donated by the Tenneco Oil Company in 1985. Once in the Gulf of Mexico pumping oil from the ground, this structure now serves as the best shipwreck (of sorts) in all of South Florida.
Dive operators make frequent trips here to explore the shallow platforms which plunge down to nearly 110′ and extend upward to 70′. Just keep an eye out for the bull sharks and lemon sharks who keep a safe distance not too far away!
Best for: deep diving and astonishment!
Coordinates: N 25 58.901 W 80 04.799
ENVIRONMENTAL NOTE
Old oil rig platforms are commonly deployed as artificial reefs in the USA. It’s a part of the federal government’s “Rigs-to-Reefs Program” which enable decommissioned rigs to be donated. This gives the oil companies a massive tax write off while sending some environmental groups into fits.
What do you think? Should oil companies be incentivized to create artificial reefs as a tax write off? Leave a comment below!
Finding a Dive Shop in Fort Lauderdale
Sea Experience and American Dream Dive Charters are the two most popular dive charters in Fort Lauderdale. They both run solid operations that focus on safety and fun! Don’t hesitate to book with either of them!
READ MORE: Finding You the Best Dive Shop in Fort Lauderdale
Traveling to Fort Lauderdale for some Diving?
Ease the pain of travel planning with these handy resources!
Travel Planning Resources to Fort Lauderdale
Book Your Flight: Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, one of the best tools to find good deals. Fort Lauderdale is home to one of the busiest airports in the world (FLL).
Rent a Car: Discover Cars compares prices all over the globe – finding you the best deal on a car rental.
Book a Place to Stay: Booking.com is a great resource to compare hotels and guesthouses.
Or book a local apartment on AirBnB (get up to $60 off your first adventure when you go through this link!)
READ MORE: Two Day Fort Lauderdale Travel Itinerary
Dive Planning in Fort Lauderdale
We’ve constructed a handy resource for all your diving needs in the area known as the Fort Lauderdale Dive Guide!
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Read More Dive Guides in South Florida
We hope you enjoyed our post on the best shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale. Hopefully you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more ocean-loving articles we think you should read next:
- 10 Must-See Dive Sites in Fort Lauderdale
- How to Dive With Goliath Grouper in Jupiter
- Your Complete Guide to Shark Diving in Jupiter
- Shore Diving at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
What shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale have you seen before? Which one was your favorite? Which shipwrecks did we forget about? Leave a comment below!
