{"id":1835,"date":"2017-10-29T08:04:11","date_gmt":"2017-10-29T08:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2020-02-21T23:19:23","modified_gmt":"2020-02-21T23:19:23","slug":"scuba-diving-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/gear\/scuba\/scuba-diving-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"Scuba Diving Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"width: 100%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 100%;\" title=\"Scuba Diving Miami\" src=\"\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Scuba-Diving-Miami.jpg\" alt=\"Scuba Diving Miami\" width=\"735\" height=\"1102\" data-id=\"1847\"><\/span>Quick Navigation<a href=\"#tab-con-0\">The Sinking of Ophelia Brian<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-1\">The Wreck Trek<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-2\">The Belcher Barge<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-3\">The Belzona II<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-4\">The Neptune Memorial Reef<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-5\">Advanced Dive Sites in Miami<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-6\">Reef Diving in Miami<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-7\">Miami Dive Centers<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-8\">Grove Scuba<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-9\">Tarpoon Dive Center<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-10\">Ocean Safari Diving Adventures<\/a><a href=\"#tab-con-11\">South Beach Divers<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Scuba Diving Miami<\/h1>\n<p>Miami is a popular vacation spot, but it\u2019s not somewhere you would immediately think of when considering a scuba diving holiday. Diving in Miami isn\u2019t without merit though.<\/p>\n<p>Back in 1981 Ben Mostkoff and the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) initiated an artificial reef project. The scheme aimed to create new habitats for marine life and more dive sites off the Miami coast. It was hoped that new sites would reduce pressure on existing reefs as well bolster erosion protection.<\/p>\n<p>For divers, more places to visit means more reasons to dive which has been great for the scuba diving industry in Miami. The prolific plan soon earned Miami the unofficial title of <strong>\u2018Wreckreational Dive Capital of the World\u2019<\/strong> which will give you a distinct idea of the type of diving available in the area.<\/p>\n<h2>The Sinking of Ophelia Brian<\/h2>\n<p>Watching a planned sinking can be very exciting, if you have never seen it, then take a look at the video below.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player663' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e2AEWuJxNT8?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>This contains footage of when the Ophelia Brian was sunk. Formerly called the <strong>Sea Taxi<\/strong>, this vessel was renamed for the daughter of the divers who funded the project. She is a 210\u2019 freighter which now lies in 110\u2019 of water off Key Biscayne.<\/p>\n<p>When a vessel is sunk to create a new reef, it is stripped and cleaned to make it safe for divers as well as the ocean environment. The next video below shows a little of what was involved in the <strong>Ophelia Brian Project<\/strong> as well as some great underwater footage.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player880' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1toeMEJRJQg?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Marine life quickly inhabits new structures who use it as shelter and very slowly coral begins to form. Fast forward more than twenty years, and these new sites teem with life. Divers should expect to see eels lurking, spiny lobster hiding in crevices, and barracuda stalking swirling baitfish.<\/p>\n<p><em>Jewfish<\/em>, <em>Grouper<\/em>, and <em>Cobia<\/em> patrol the wrecks and reefs, and <em>Coral Fish<\/em> provide a splash of colour. <em>Gorgonians<\/em> have grown on many structures, and both hard and soft coral have encrusted many wrecks giving these new reefs a familiar outline.<\/p>\n<h2>The Wreck Trek<\/h2>\n<p>There are now more than 75 wrecks within easy reach of the Miami coast, many lie mere minutes from your launch site, and there\u2019s more than just ships to explore. There are two Vietnam era army tanks located at a depth of 48ft. These 40-ton habitats were sunk in 1994 and today provide homes for fish, lobster, and eels.<\/p>\n<p>These tanks make up part of a site known as The <strong>Wreck Trek<\/strong> which includes the wreck of the <strong>Mathew Lawrence<\/strong>, the mishmash of the <strong>Patricia<\/strong> and the <strong>Miss Karline<\/strong> and nineteen radio towers. It\u2019s an easy dive, fun, loaded with fish life, and interesting to see. It\u2019s also a great place to test your navigation skills. Check out the video below which shows footage this area.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player970' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FTHX3SCB_54?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>The Belcher Barge<\/h2>\n<p>The Belcher Barge is a diver favorite. It was sunk in 1985 loaded with concrete pipes, but she flipped while going down and spilled the pipes to the ocean floor. The wreck lies upside down but is excellent for penetration as twelve large holes were cut into her for this purpose. Both the barge and the concrete pipe reef attract a lot of life.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player277' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lC_2P_ZNxtg?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>The Belzona II<\/h2>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player772' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2bhJwps1zwU?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Belzona II<\/strong> lies 100ft from the <strong>Belcher Barge<\/strong> with the <strong>Belzona I<\/strong> close by. 150ft east of Belcher\u2019s Barge are <strong>Schurgar<\/strong> and <strong>Harry\u2019s Barge<\/strong> lying together in a t-formation. This wreck arrangement allows divers to spread out and means that divers with different experience levels will be happy on the same trip.<\/p>\n<h2>The Neptune Memorial Reef<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmreef.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Neptune Memorial Reef<\/a> is an unusual project as it unites the aesthetics of the Lost City of Atlantis to create an artificial reef which is also a memorial site where your ashes can be laid. Divers, memorials, and marine life are all welcome! You can see more of this 16-acre project on this video below.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player440' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FS-2LVXDLoQ?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>Advanced Dive Sites in Miami<\/h2>\n<p>More advanced sites include the Deep Freeze which was sunk in 1976. She is a 210\u2019 freighter in 135\u2019 of water; it\u2019s also a site notorious for strong current. The Doc de Mille typifies everything that great wreck diving should be. Her far-flung location and depth limit trips which make a visit all the more special.<\/p>\n<div class='rve'><iframe id='player888' src='\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TZ9OqhnBH-Y?not_used=1&rel=0&modestbranding=1&showinfo=0&fs=0' height='400' width='100%' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen ><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>Reef Diving in Miami<\/h2>\n<p>If wrecks are not your thing or you\u2019re just tired of metal, then there are plenty of reefs to explore loaded with colorful fish and spiny lobster. <strong>Emerald Reef<\/strong> is a favorite spot, and <strong>Deep Trench<\/strong> is an interesting choice for either day or night-time. Deep Trench was borne out of destruction; this site was created by the path cut into the reef for a now disused discharge pipe.<\/p>\n<p>Miami probably isn\u2019t top of most divers wish list, but if you are a diver who holidays with a non-diving family, it is an excellent choice to keep everyone happy.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that many of the dive shops offer special longer trips to sites in the Florida Keys. As an example, a visit to Key Largo\u2019s <strong>Spiegel Grove<\/strong> shipwreck would have a 10.00 check-in and a 19.00 estimated return. Check out each shop\u2019s schedule online.<\/p>\n<h2>Miami Dive Centers<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Grove Scuba<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>305-443-1313<\/p>\n<p>info@grovescuba.com<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.grovescuba.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.grovescuba.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Grove Scuba<\/strong> is a 5* PADI IDC center which means it offers courses from beginner up to instructor level. The center has daily dive trips and have gear for rent and to buy. They provide air or nitrox and have a digital underwater photography department. Grove Scuba is family operated and was founded in 2006.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tarpoon Dive Center<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>305-532-1445<\/p>\n<p>service@tarpoondivecenter.com<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tarpoondivecenter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/tarpoondivecenter.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tarpoon Dive Center<\/strong> has been in operation since 1952 and offers recreational, technical and professional courses. The center stocks a range of dive gear and dive daily Tuesday to Sunday with a night dive on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ocean Safari Diving Adventures<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>305-548-3483<\/p>\n<p>info@oceansafari.com<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.oceansafari.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.oceansafari.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ocean Safari Diving Adventures<\/strong> is a family owned business and offers diving every day. PADI, IANTD, TDI and SSI training are offered, and there\u2019s a great range of gear for sale too.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>South Beach Divers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>305-531-6110<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.southbeachdivers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.southbeachdivers.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>South Beach Divers<\/strong> is a PADI 5* facility. It\u2019s conveniently located which makes it quite busy, but it does have a daily program of diving. The schedule includes local sites and visits more distant sites in the Florida Keys.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick NavigationThe Sinking of Ophelia BrianThe Wreck TrekThe Belcher BargeThe Belzona IIThe Neptune Memorial ReefAdvanced Dive Sites in MiamiReef Diving in MiamiMiami Dive CentersGrove ScubaTarpoon Dive CenterOcean Safari Diving AdventuresSouth Beach Divers Scuba Diving Miami Miami is a popular vacation spot, but it\u2019s not somewhere you would immediately think of when considering a scuba diving [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":""},"categories":[13,5],"tags":[],"modified_by":"Mavrix","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1835"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquamavericks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}