Mike s Wreck - Florida Keys

Mike’s Wreck, for us, is one of the more underrated dives in the Keys. We’re talking about the remains of the *USS Wilkes-Barre*, a light cruiser scuttled as an artificial reef, now resting in about 30 meters. What we love about it is the sheer size of the thing, broken into several sections, which gives it a real sense of exploration. You’ll fin through corridors where daylight barely penetrates, past massive collapsed plating, and then suddenly emerge into open water where jacks patrol the structure. The ship's bow section is our favourite, with its impressive gun turrets still mostly intact, now completely encrusted with sponges and hard corals. Look closely for the smaller stuff – we’ve seen some huge green morays tucked into the darker recesses, and the resident goliath groupers are always good for a scare when they materialise out of the gloom. Visibility here can be a bit variable, especially after a good blow, so we'd suggest picking a calm day for the best experience. It's a dive that rewards slow, deliberate exploration, perfect for divers comfortable with depth and a bit of current.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
25.144550, -80.256550
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: The Elbow Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

Best Time to Dive in Florida Keys

The warmest water temperatures in Florida Keys occur in July, averaging 31.5°C (up to 34.8°C). The coolest conditions are in January at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 19.3°C (air: 18.5°C)
  • February: 20.5°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • March: 23.1°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • April: 25.5°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • May: 27.8°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • June: 30.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • July: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • August: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 30.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • October: 27.3°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • November: 24.1°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • December: 20.9°C (air: 19.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Florida Keys

Nearest Dive Centres to Mike s Wreck

Marine Life in Florida Keys

Home to 91 recorded species including 69 reef fish, 6 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Mike s Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 1 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories