wreck

Log This Dive

Mike s Wreck

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.