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Wreck Diving
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Coral Reefs | Technical
Profiles
| Captain's Log
Governor's
Riverwalk
In February 2002, Palm Beach County's Artificial Reef
Program expanded with the intentional sinking of the Shasha
Boekanier. Known as the Shasha to local divers,
this 184-foot coastal freighter was the first of three
former drug smuggling vessels seized and sunk off Palm
Beach County. Following the Shasha was the St.
Jacques (180-foot) and the Gilbert Sea (170-foot).
Almost
as a gift to divers, Palm Beach County added the Thozina
to Governor's Riverwalk Reef in December 2002. This 174-foot
coastal freighter was donated to Palm Beach County's Artificial
Reef Program, and now lies with the others in 90-feet
of water. The wrecks are quickly becoming a haven for
game and tropical fish as they rapidly become overgrown
with coral and algae.
As
a dive site, Governor's Riverwalk Reef is an excellent
training site for advanced recreational and introductory
technical training.
Mizpah
Corridor
This is defiantely one of the best dives in Palm Beach County. The bulk of the corridor is composed of three wrecks (Mizpah, PC1170, and Amaryllis) that line up to form an amazing 1700 foot drift dive. The first wreck, the Mizpah, was sunk in 1968 and lies in ~85 feet of water just a few minutes north of the inlet. She's a 185ft Greek luxury liner, showcasing three distinct levels that Goliath grouper love to congregate in. Next in line is the PC1170, an old patrol craft measuring 160ft in length. Also sunk in 1968, the PC1170 is split in two pieces under the bow of the Mizpah. Following an large rock pile, the Amaryllis is the third in line on this dive. Only the hull and bottom deck of this 450 foot ship remain as the other decks were removed to salvage the boat after it washed ashore during a hurricane. The China Barge is the fourth in line on this amazing site, although most divers don't reach it before needing to ascend.
As a dive site, The Corridor is an excellent training site for advanced deep and wreck specialties.
Princess
Anne
This 350 foot car ferry used to carry over 200 passengers and cars over the Chesapeake Bay. Sunk in the early 1990's, this wreck sits in 100-110 feet of water and is home to large schools of jacks, barracudas, groupers, and the occasional bull shark. The last few hurricanes broke apart some of the super structure, but there's still an amazing reef just north of the wreck that makes this site a must-see.
Eidsvaag
Located just a few minutes south of the inlet, this freighter (also called the Owens) sits in close proximity to the Phillips Barge and the Rolls-Royce. This area is home to many Goliath Grouper, and several shark species frequent the area.
Toybox
and Playpen
This dive site begins as you drift onto a large barge sitting perpendicular to the current in 60 feet of water. Goliaths and the occasional bull shark frequent this wreck. Following the wreck is the Playpen, an artificial reef composed of concrete culverts and telephone poles. Divers always report schools of barracuda, colorful tropicals, and droves of spiny lobsters.
Spearman's
Barge
Located on top of Mid-Reef, this wreck sits in about 70 feet of water and is home to a variety of fish species. Hawksbill and loggerhead turtles are frequent visitors and green moray eels are regularly spotted here. Photographers love this site!
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