Diving the MV Dantor Shipwreck in Fort Lauderdale

MV Dantor is a deep shipwreck off of Hollywood Beach in Broward County, Florida.

Diving the MV Dantor Shipwreck

History of the MV Dantor Shipwreck

Per Broward County’s usual arrangement, the MV Dantor was caught red handed smuggling drugs into the United States. As such, the Coast Guard seized the boat and sold it to the county for a killer deal.

So killer, in fact, the county only spent $10,000 on three different vessels: the Ebenezer II, Bulk Trader, and MV’s Dantor. What a bargain!

The best part? Broward Boating Improvement Program purchased the ships via a grant!

The Dantor was the first of the bunch deployed on May 2, 2002. The 160 foot wreck rests offshore of Hollywood Beach at a depth of 128′ outside of the third reef line.

Navigating the Dantor Shipwreck

This ship is massive, fully intact, and sitting upright in the sand in nearly 130′ of water. It’s possible to circumnavigate the wreck in its entirety on a one tank dive – but you’ll surely be pushing your no deco limits depending on your EANx blend.

Stick to the top deck

The top of the wreck is the best place to explore as it descends to 110′. You’ll see all the marine life your heart desires with barracuda fleeting by, parrotfish picking away, and schools of grunts swiftly avoiding your presence.

Descend near the stern

If you’re going to drop off into the sand, the stern of the boat is worthwhile checking out. Grouper, nurse sharks, and schools of barracuda love hanging out under there.

Penetrating the Wreck

The main cabin of the boat has some penetrable sections, however, I have not personally done any penetration here so your guess is as good as mine as to what lives inside the Dantor!

Unique Features

The bow of the boat is the best spot for a photo-op – it possesses the qualities of a truly haunting wreck. Between the main cabin and the bow are two massive cargo bays. Mainly desolate, you’ll still be surprised to what sea creatures you’ll find crusted to the edges of the cargo bays.

Dive Shops that Visit the MV Dantor Shipwreck

Truthfully, local dive centers rarely visit the Dantor. It’s just a touch out of the way. However, if you contacted one of the two dive charters listed below, I’m sure they’d be happy to bring you there if you request!

• American Dream Dive Charters: aboard their 46′ Newton Dive Boat, the American Dream operates a pristine operation suitable for divers of all levels. Their crew is professional, knowledgable, and accommodating for any passenger that climbs aboard!
• Sea Experience: this full service dive shop is tucked away in the Bahia Mar Marina on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Their twin engine catamaran provides a smooth ride to and from all the best dive sites in the Fort Lauderdale area!

Dive Planning in Fort Lauderdale

Reef Smart Guides makes a handy guidebook for all the diving spots in Fort Lauderdale and beyond. You can find useful maps, directions, and GPS coordinates. We highly recommend purchasing if you’re planning to do any extended diving trips in Broward County.

Fort Lauderdale Dive Guide

Read More About Scuba Diving in Fort Lauderdale

We hope you enjoyed our post on diving the Dantor Shipwreck. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more dive sites we think you might enjoy:

• 10 Must See Dive Sites in Fort Lauderdale
• 4 Best Snorkel Spots in Fort Lauderdale
• Shore Diving at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
• Shore Diving at Blue Heron Bridge

Have you been diving on the MV Dantor before? Let us know in a comment below!