Benwood Wreck

Best time to dive

January to December; June to November

What you might see

• Moray eelLikely
• Nurse sharkPossible
• Sea turtleReliably seen

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Open Water

Snorkelling

Snorkel-friendly - yes (shallow sections reachable by strong snorkelers, primarily a scuba site)

Safety notes

Sharp/jagged metal edges on deteriorated hull (damaged in 1942 collision, later dynamited as navigation hazard), heavy boat/mooring traffic, fire coral on wreck structure; sea turtles are ESA-protected - no touching or blocking their path

Permits & fees

Within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - mandatory mooring buoy use (no anchoring), no touching/collecting coral or marine life, dive flag required

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Key Largo