Biscayne National Park, which is a short thirty miles from downtown Miami, boasts Florida’s longest stretch of undeveloped shoreline. It is home to marine mammals, birds and subtropical vegetation, plentiful trails, and of course, amazing coral reefs and all the sea life that go along with them.
Key Biscayne, a village located in Florida’s Miami-Dade County, is connected to the Florida Mainland by the Rickenbacker Causeway, which was erected in 1947. One prominent feature is the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which was dedicated on January 1st of 1967.
The entire area is a mecca for scuba divers from all over the world, and whether you enjoy reefs or wrecks, you’re sure to find a fascinating variety of underwater vistas awaiting your attention. Here are just a few of the area’s highlights.
Spanish Freighter Alicia
Alicia, a 345 foot long, 37 foot wide Spanish freighter, was built in 1883 in Glasgow. The ship belonged to Linea de Vapores Serra, Bilbao, and was launched in October of 1883. Powered by a steam engine, she carried trade goods back and forth from Spanish territory to Europe and other far-away destinations for more than twenty years before running aground on Long Reef on April 21st of 1905. At the time, she was carrying furniture and other items, much of which was salvaged. Today, divers find plenty of artifacts, including bottles, in the twenty feet of water that surrounds the wreck, which has mostly collapsed.
MV Adamelia
The Adamelia, also known as the Cuban Reef Wreck, was a 110 foot recreational vessel. She sank in twenty-five feet of water just three miles from the southern edge of Key Biscayne in 1960, after running aground. There are plenty of fish among the steel plates and ribs that make up this shipwreck.
Ultra Freeze
This 207 foot long, 30 foot wide wreck, which was built in 1989, was scuttled in 1984, and lies in about 113 feet of water. She is intact and upright, and is home to plentiful fish and marine growth. The top portion of the wreck is accessible at about seventy feet, and she has an amazing propeller, which makes a good background for taking photos of your buddy!
Steamer Arakanapka
This wreck, which is what is left of a steel-hulled steamer that ran aground in 1876, is easily accessible to both divers and snorkelers, and though it is scattered, it is still an excellent wreck to dive. With a depth of under 25 feet in most places, this wreck is home to plenty of colorful fish.
Schooner Half Moon
The Half Moon ran aground sometime in the early 1930’s and sits in just ten to fifteen feet of water. This is one wreck that can be overrun with snorkelers during peak season, but she is definitely worth a look.
The Mandalay
Another very shallow wreck, the Mandalay sits in just ten feet of water on Long Reef. This ship, once referred to as Windjammer’s “Red Carpet Ship”, sank on January 1st of 1966 after striking the reef. There were no fatalities. Today, the Mandalay is covered in colorful coral and hosts a never-ending parade of colorful reef fish. The Laguna, a steel-hulled freighter that sank in the early 1900’s is in less than thirty feet of water nearby.
Remember, collecting fish, coral, or artifacts from any of the Biscayne National Park dive sites is illegal and carries a hefty fine. Touching or standing on coral can harm it, and diving in shallow water holds its’ own set of hazards! These enjoyable dive sites offer a multitude of opportunities though – so have fun, and enjoy these, as well as other, Florida dive sites.