Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Fort Lauderdale

The first tier of the Fort Lauderdale reef is located about 75-100 feet off shore. Lots of sea fans here, along with other coral growth. Juvenile nurse sharks seen here (I have the pics to prove it!) along with other juvenile fish. Max depth of the 1st reef is about 14 ft max, (average 10). This parking lot is right on the beach. All you have to do is gear up and walk across the beach in. All day parking is $6.00, and the lot has many freshwater showers. Also a picnic area with charcoal grills, and many restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance. A dive shop is located almost right near the entrance to the park on A1A. Lifeguard towers are dotted along the beach. Most lifeguards prefer if you dive during off peak hours (before 10AM and after 5PM). A dive flag is required by local law. This site is best accessed from the South Beach Park parking lot, located off A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach. South Beach lot is right at the split (where A1A becomes one way), otherwise known as South Atlantic Blvd / Seabrease Blvd. To get there you can take SE 17th St, east to A1A, north to the parking lot, or you can take E Las Olas Blvd to A1A, south to the parking lot.

The Bill Boyd is a deep dive only for Technical divers. The coral and fish of the wreck are great. Depth limits the bottom time, but it's worth diving this deep. She is a 211 foot German freighter (built in Hamburg in 1964) that was sunk as an artificial reef on July 18, 1986. Today she sits upright in 265 feet of water. The Bill Boyd is accessible only by dive boat. Bill Boyd is also known as Heino, Maude Wonsild, Mauds Isa, Hem Berto, Marilyn, Nata.

Marriott Reef is also known as DC-3 Wreck.

This 240-foot Dutch freighter was built in 1961. 4.5 miles north of the Port Everglades Cut. Jim Atria Wreck is also known as Poinciana.

132-foot oil rig supply boat sunk in 1999 as an artificial reef. Tracy is also known as Ken Vitale.

She was originally built in 1951 and called the Jacob Rusch. This 198-foot freighter was sunk as an artificial reef site off Fort Lauderdale on March 30, 1985. The Mercedes is the most famous wrecks off the east coast of Florida. Located just offshore of Fort Lauderdale. Mercedes I is also known as Jacob Rusch.

Hog Heaven is a 180-foot barge that flipped upside down while being deployed as an artificial reef. It was sunk in 1996. Nearby: - 30 feet north are the remains of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse, and a small sail boat - 200 feet NNe rests the 120-foot barge Wayne in 70 feet of water Approximately one mile offshore