Scuba Diving off Key Biscayne, FL

DiveMaster · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008, 12:05 PM

I recently went scuba diving off Key Biscayne, FL. I went with a dive shop called Tarpoon Lagoon. Aside from being the only one in South Beach located at the dock where the boat leaves, it's also the best priced (if you have your own equipment, friendliest, and conveniently located next door to Monty's. See here for my review of Tarpoon Lagoon.

This was a 2 tank beginners dive (<60 ft) which went to the "Belchers Barge" (60') and "Neptune Memorial Reef" (45').

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belcher Barge

This 185' steel barge was sunk in November 1985 in the Key Biscayne area. The belcher barge was loaded with concrete pipes to add to the exploration of the dive but during the sinking process, she turned and landed completely upside down and the pipes rolled off to the South Side of the barge. The relief (height of wreck from the sand or bottom) is about 10 '. There are many areas of penetration on this wreck, on the sides and through the hull. Inside the wreck are many areas to explore so make sure you bring a light (and a back up) and a safety reel. About mid ship on the South Side, where the pipes now lay, you can swim approx. 100 feet due South and you will run into the Belzona II. To the South East of the Belzona II is the Belzona I and III.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neptune Memorial Reef

The Neptune Memorial Reef project is the largest man made reef ever conceived and provides an extraordinary living resting place for the departed, an environmental and ecological masterpiece, a superb laboratory for marine biologists, students, researchers and ecologists, and an aesthetically exquisite, world-class destination for visitors from all walks of life. The most innovative concept in artificial reef design is currently emerging in 50-feet of water, 3.25 miles east of Key Biscayne, Miami. Wrapped in the silence of the clear blue ocean a new reef is evolving. The Neptune Memorial Reef is attracting recreational scuba divers, as well as homeless fish while enhancing the coastal environment and reducing demand on other fragile natural reefs. Take a look at the video of the reef that was just taken in November 2007, click here.

Unfortunately, the remainder of our dive plans for the week were interrupted by bad weather from tropical storm fay. The good news is that we're planning another trip soon as a result of missing out on our dives, so I'll be sure to post after the dives.

DiveMaster · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 09:06 PM

I did some more diving off Miami Beach (South Beach) and Key Biscayne, FL via Tarpoon Lagoon. Since I have all my own equipment (including tanks), the two tank dive costs $60, which is pretty reasonable compared to other places. Of course most divers need at least some equipment, and that's where the price goes up and is more inline with other shops (add at least another $20).

We did two dives, the Biscayne Wreck and the Canyons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscayne Wreck

The Biscayne is located in the Key Biscayne Artificial Reef Site. She is a 120-foot frighter, that was once used for hauling bannanas from Central America. Now she lies in 55 feet of water. The Biscaynes' bow and stern sections have collasped, but there is a breathtaking concentration of fish. Due to the amount of aquatic delight this wreck is an excellent location for a night dive.

The Canyons (at least that's what I thought I heard the captain call it) is a reef dive in about 25 feet of water (deepest part according to my dive computer was 27 feet). It sort of looks like a canyon since there seems to be lots of little caves where lobsters and other sea creatures love to hang out. I saw all kinds of fish including a few lobsters, grouper, snappers, hogfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, etc. Great shallow dive.

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