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FACTS ABOUT DIVING NAPLES, FLORIDA The Gulf of Mexico covers an abundance of bottom yet explored by man. Winter cold fronts cause unruly seas, cold water and poor visibility, which usually limits diving to the spring and summers months (April-October). Boat rides to the prime diving spots are long (10 to 30 miles offshore) and visibility on a good day is generally less than 15 feet! However, if you are trained for this type of diving, get ready for a thrill. Fish here are large and abundant, turtles plentiful and shelling superb. Both the ledges and wrecks support a profusion of large colorful sponges and gorgonians. The waters off Naples are historic for large populations of Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), the largest reef fish species in the Caribbean, growing to a whopping 700 pounds and eight feet in length. Since the 1990’s harvesting moratorium on jewfish, the species had made a dramatic comeback. At times as many as a dozen of these living monoliths are sighted on area wrecks. No. 1 SANTA LUCIA Lat 26.05.410 Lon 81.53.640 29 refuges fleeing Cuba in 1994 used this 47-foot turtle boat. The derelict vessel remained at a Naples boatyard until 1997 when it was towed to sea to become part of an established artificial reef site. However, the boat began to take on water while being towed and sank in 24 feet of water well short of the intended deployment site. Later concrete pylons and beams were placed on and around the wreck to hold it in place. Visibility is generally 5 to 10 feet. No. 2 NAPLES BARGE Lat 26.05.13 Lon 81.53.26 An old construction barge is now part of an artificial reef system. She rests in 32 feet of water. You can expect plenty of fish. Visibility 5-10 feet No. 3 MINE SWEEPER Lat 26.05.883 Lon 82.02.133 This 60-foot vessel in now broker apart but with large concentrations of game fish make it a prized dive for local spear fisherman. Depth to 40 feet. Visibility 5-15 foot. No. 4 TEA CUP LEDGES Lat 26.07.880 Lon 82.02.010 This is a large area of soft corals and sponge bottoms with abundant marine live. Ledges run from 1 to 3 feet high and visibility can be 5 to 20 feet. No. 5 NAPLES LEDGES Lat 26.08715 Lon 82.03.600 A series of ledges, holes and cracks loaded with fish life. Many virgin areas can still be found along the line, and several varieties of snapper and grouper inhabit the four to six foot ledges. Visibility 5 to 30 feet. No. 6 ISABELL Lat 26 11.146 Lon 82 08.502 The broken remains of an old shrimp boat rest is 58 feet of water. Another great site to spot the Goliath Grouper (Jewfish) Visibility 5 to 30 feet. No. 7 COLLIER 5 MILE REEF Lat 25 51.763 Lon 82 47.732 This 100 x 175 foot artificial reef site, made up primarily of concrete pilings and barges, has been attracting sea life since the first materials were deployed in 1980. Two barges rest 30 feet apart in the site’s northeast corner. As many as 20 jewfish have been sited in the area. Three barges, linked by deployed material, are located within an 80-foot area in the sites southeast corner. No 8 KIDD WRECK Lat 25 48.33 Lon 81 51.37 An 85-foot barge sank in 1987 in 45 feet of water. This is a great spot to see goliath grouper (jewfish). Also plenty of barracuda, snapper, and grouper inhabit the site. Visibility 5 to 30 feet. No. 9 THE BLACK HOLE Lat 25 50.564 Lon 81 51.37 The circular entrance to this large drowned sink is 85 feet in diameter. The rim is in 65 feet of water and plunges to depths of 225 feet. The limestone shaft takes on an hour glass shape at 100 feet. Fish life is plentiful with large jewfish and grouper common. Sea turtles frequent the area. Several sponge-covered ledges can be found nearby. Visibility 10 to 40 feet. No 10 TOWER .R. Lat 25 48.00 Lon 82 13.00 The steel structure of a navigational tower reaches down 70 feet to the sea floor Great schools of pelagic fish, barracuda, jewfish, snapper and tropical fish are attracted to the complex framework. Visibility 10 to 70 feet. Visibility ratings are based on spring and summer months.
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