Local Tide Charts
Dive Secret Garden with Conch Republic Divers
Being located in Tavernier and running out of Tavernier Creek, we have access to the reefs from the southern edge of Pennekamp Park down to about Alligator Light.
Spiegel Grove Wreck Diving
The Spiegel Grove is a the 510′ amphibious troop transport ship and was intentionally sunk May 12, 2002 six miles off Key Largo to form the backbone of a coral-reef ecosystem. Life around the reef range from algae, sponges, and coral, not to mention the legions of tiny tropical fish to large barracuda and jacks. Needless to say, it’s a dive worth taking.
Duane with Conch Republic Divers
The Duane sits upright in about 120′ of water and is one of the most dove wrecks in the world. It is an advanced dive and is often visited by strong currents. It is also often blessed with excellent visibility of over 100′! What I have never understood is how the barracuda can hang motionless in a “mask spinning current” while we struggle to pull ourselves along the wreck.
Wreck of the Eagle
The Eagle is a freighter sitting on its side in about 105′ of water. The blast holes in the bottom give an interesting perspective on the rest of the ocean. A large Goliath Grouper is often seen around the wreck. The hurricane season of ’98 made some modifications to the Eagle, snapping her in two about a third of the way down the wreck. What was a nice dive before is even better now!
Molasses Reef And Shallow Patch Reefs
We dive sites along the main reef line as well as numerous shallow patch reefs. This includes Molasses Reef, Pickles Reef, including the section with a stand of rare pillar coral, the Conch Reef System, Davis, Crocker, Victory, and many, many others.
Most of these are within 20 to 50 minutes of our dock. In addition to shallow and intermediate reefs, we also dive the major wrecks in the area, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Duane, and the Eagle.
SS Benwood
The SS Benwood is one of the REAL ship wrecks from WWII here in the Upper Keys! While running lights out during the war, the Benwood collided with the SS Tuttle. While the Tuttle made it to shore the Captain of the Benwood ran it into shallow water and all the crew survived. The Navy used the Benwood for target practice and the rubble field and hull and bottom deck of the ship is still there for the sea life and divers to enjoy.
Today, it sits in 33' of water at the stern and 45' a the bow which is still intact. The deck has a TON of sea life and is also a safe haven to many turtles. The coral growth can be seen all around the wreck, as well as the hole on the bow that sunk the Benwood. Along with the variety of sea turtles, you can find schools of midnight parrot fish, rainbow parrot fish, yellowtail, Spanish lobsters, and around the outside of the vessel you often can find tons of Queen Conch!
One of our divers Dan Eidsmoe captured this incredible video on April 12, 2025 follow @daniel_eidsmoe for more beautiful Keys diving adventures.