Mike’s Wreck (Hannah M. Bell) - Florida Keys

Mike’s Wreck, the remains of the Hannah M. Bell, sits in just 9m of water and it’s a site we always recommend for new wreck divers. The ship broke up a long time ago, leaving behind scattered ribs and hull plates that now form a low-profile artificial reef. We love drifting slowly over the iron bones, watching the sunlight dapple through the water. You’ll spot schools of juvenile Atlantic Blue Tangs weaving between the rusty beams, and big Stoplight Parrotfish casually munching on the encrusting algae. Our favourite part is the stern section; it’s still somewhat intact, offering a nice swim-through where you’ll almost always find a Yellowtail Snapper or two peeking out. Go on a calm day, and the visibility lets you really appreciate how the wreck has blended into the sandy bottom, creating homes for countless Caribbean Bluehead Wrasse. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, letting you focus on the history and the marine life without any strong currents or deep commitments.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
25.160600, -80.299800
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Dry Rocks 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 (Hannah M. Bell)

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 (Hannah M. Bell)

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