How to Dive the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek

Three large shipwrecks, one dive. Sounds impossible, right? Not exactly. This is everything you need to know about scuba diving the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek: the Jay Scutti, Tracey (Ken Vitale), and Merci Jesus Shipwrecks.

Diving the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek:

This article provides you with everything you need to know about diving the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek – a drift dive designed to visit three large shipwrecks within one single dive. By the end, you’ll know what to expect on your dive, how to get there, how to navigate from wreck to wreck and learn other tips about diving in South Florida.

For a post on each individual shipwreck, check out these articles:

• The Jay Scutti Shipwreck
• The Tracey (Ken Vitale) Shipwreck
• The Merci Jesus Shipwreck

History of the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek:

It’s tough to say if the original plan was to line three shipwrecks up in a row for the enjoyment of divers. But who really cares? It sure did work out well! Three wrecks in one dive? Sign me up!

The Jay Scutti, Tracey (aka Ken Vitale), and Merci Jesus Shipwrecks all have their own unique history but they all have one thing in common: each vessel was busted and seized due to drug trafficking!

So maybe they DID have some sort of master plan in mind when the sunk them in a row. A drug trafficking ship graveyard of sorts? Sounds about right.

The Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek Dive Overview and Navigation:

The Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek sits in a general north – south axis approximately 70 feet below the surface sitting in nothing but sand. The Jay Scutti is the southernmost wreck, followed by the Tracey in the middle, and the Merci Jesus to the north. Approximately 200′ separate each wreck -speaking volume to the precision of whoever sunk these boats. Kudos.

Depending on current, your dive will begin on either the Jay Scutti (if northbound current) or the Merci Jesus (if southbound current). We recommend circumnavigating each wreck and possibly penetrating various portholes (if properly trained, of course).

At the very least, drop below deck on the Merci Jesus and swim under the canopy on the Tracey; a pair of Goliath Grouper often frequent these two dive sites!

When you’re ready to leave one vessel to the next, be sure to follow the rebars staked into the sand. On a good day of visibility they’ll be hard to miss. Fortunately, the rebars will bring you straight to your next shipwreck! It’s that simple!

Our favorite part? Each vessel commands a booming presence as you approach in the underwater desert of sand. A breathtaking emergence of metal, coral, history, and marine life. What more could a scuba diver ask for?

For more in-depth history and navigation of each wreck, check out our individual guides on each one:

• Jay Scutti Shipwreck
• Tracey (Ken Vitale) Shipwreck
• Merci Jesus Shipwreck

Dive Planning for the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek:

When available, we highly recommend Reef Smart Cards for any dive. They create beautiful waterproof cards that play a critical role in your dive plan. Additionally, we use their Dive Guide book for all of our diving in the Fort Lauderdale area.

For more: 23+ Dive Planning Resources for South Florida

What Dive Shops go to the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek?

• American Dream Dive Charters behind the Hilton on 17th Avenue just south of downtown. They run a great, clean, and basic operation aboard their Newton Dive Boat. Don’t hesitate to book with their crew!
• Sea Experience in Bahia Mar Marina on Fort Lauderdale Beach. This is a full dive shop with classes, charters, retail, and guides. If you’re a new open water diver, we suggest you book with Sea Experience to ensure everything is taken care of. If you want a dive guide, call and request for (Andrew or Laura) and tell them we sent you!

More Photos of the Wreck Trek in Fort Lauderdale

Help Protect the Coral Reef During Your Dive

Sunscreen! Shocking, I know! In fact, many popular sunscreen brands contain extremely harmful chemicals to our coral! Specifically, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Because of this, we’ve partnered with our favorite brand of reef safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea! We want to get YOU discounts so you can help save our coral reefs with reef safe sunscreen!