Reported By: Jay Cashmere
November 8, 2006
We are kicking off Underwater Wednesdays this month with a popular site just to the south of our area. It's called the Miami Beach Wreck Trek and as we found out it has plenty to offer for the recreational diver at just the right depth.
Past the high rises dotting the shores of Miami Beach lies a unique place 50 feet below the surface. A playground that stands its ground.
"They're sitting kinda like in battle with each other sitting face to face with boulders in between firing each other"
Two U.S. army tanks are the pride and joy of Miami Beach's Wreck Trek. Three football fields of underwater artificial reefs growing since the early 90's.
"It's a collection of ships, trollers barges and the novelty is two army tanks at the southern end."
The collection weaves its way back and forth from one coral wrapped structure to another. Marine life flourishes including sharks which nestle into the environment, schools of fish that reel in the perfect picture and eels that peer out at the occasional visitor. For divers it's an attraction that brings something new with each dive.
"They've set it up so there's rebar in ground so you can dive two to three spots at one time. They've set up so there's rebar in ground so you can follow rebar one wreck to another it makes it easy to navigate."
And it's about top get bigger. Plans are in the works for an artistic artificial reef here what's being called Guardians of Miami Beach. Sculptures that will add a new flare to this underground habitat.
Funds are already in the works to make this site a premier destination for diving in Miami. It's a goal the City of Miami Beach has sunk their efforts into to keep South Florida divers taking the plunge now and for years to come.
Wreck Trek, located off Miami Beach, just north of the Art Deco District.
Here, divers can explore the 85-foot tug Patricia, the 100-foot steel fishing vessel Miss Karline, and an old radio antenna welded into 19 pyramids.
AQUAVITA
Boat Schedule: Daily morning dive
Call for availability and other departure times
(305) 940-0926
http://www.miamidivestop.com/
"We're an urban dive destination here, it's not the Cayman Islands, it's not some of other things, but it certainly is a unique place."
