Top 5 Summer Dive Destinations on South Florida’s East Coast
Lori Sauer Jun 01, 2025
When summer rolls into South Florida, the ocean truly comes alive. From West Palm Beach to Key Largo, the East Coast offers some of the most exciting and accessible dive sites in the country. Warm water, excellent visibility, and thriving marine life make this region a top destination for scuba enthusiasts of all levels.
Whether you’re into colorful reefs, thrilling drift dives, or eerie wrecks, South Florida has it all. Here are our top 5 summer dive spots along the East Coast that you won’t want to miss:
1. The Blue Heron Bridge – Riviera Beach
Often ranked as one of the best shore dives in the U.S., Blue Heron Bridge is a macro photographer’s dream. Located in Phil Foster Park, this shallow dive site offers an incredible variety of sea life including seahorses, octopuses, frogfish, and nudibranchs — all just a few fin kicks from shore.
Depth: 5-20 feet
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Highlight: Shore diving with world-class biodiversity
2. The Breakers Reef – Palm Beach
Just a short boat ride off Palm Beach, the Breakers Reef is a coral-covered ledge stretching for over two miles. This site is perfect for summer drift diving, letting the Gulf Stream carry you over sea fans, corals, turtles, and tropical fish. It’s also known for regular sightings of nurse sharks and rays.
Depth: 45-60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Highlight: Beautiful reef structure with effortless drift diving
3. The Ana Cecilia Wreck – West Palm Beach
Sunk in 2016 as part of the Palm Beach Artificial Reef Program, the Ana Cecilia sits upright in about 85 feet of water. It’s a haven for divers looking to explore a modern wreck with large open swim-throughs and abundant marine life. Grouper, goliath groupers, and barracuda are often seen hanging around the deck.
Depth: 80-90 feet
Skill level: Advanced
Highlight: Photogenic wreck dive with large fish encounters
4. USS Spiegel Grove – Key Largo
No list of South Florida dive sites is complete without mentioning the Spiegel Grove. This 510-foot former Navy landing ship is one of the largest vessels ever intentionally sunk for diving. Lying in 60 to 130 feet of water, it’s a bucket-list wreck with multiple penetration points and rich marine life.
Depth: 60-130 feet
Skill level: Advanced
Highlight: Epic wreck diving adventure with historical appeal
5. Molasses Reef – Key Largo
A perfect summer dive for all skill levels, Molasses Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is known for its stunning coral formations and exceptional visibility. You’ll find everything from brain coral and sea fans to reef sharks and barracuda. This is the quintessential tropical reef dive.
Depth: 15-60 feet
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Highlight: Iconic reef teeming with marine life
Make a Splash This Summer!
At Space Coast Dive Center, we may be based on the Space Coast, but we love taking our divers on trips throughout Florida — including South Florida's incredible dive sites. Whether you want to book a weekend getaway, join a guided dive trip, or level up your training with a wreck or drift specialty, we’re here to make it happen.