Mizpah - Florida Keys

The Mizpah wreck, a former Greek luxury liner, sits upright in about 23 metres of water, split into two main sections. We’ve always found it a solid dive, especially if you catch it when the current isn’t ripping. The bow section is the more intact part, with a discernible deck and some superstructure remaining. You can often fin through parts of the cargo holds, where sunlight filters in through gaps, illuminating schools of grunt and snapper. Look out for the resident green moray eel that sometimes pokes its head out from a pipe. The stern is more broken up, offering a different kind of exploration, more akin to an artificial reef with scattered debris. It’s here we’ve seen some hefty Goliath groupers lurking, massive shadows against the blue. This wreck is perfect for intermediate divers looking for a straightforward penetration experience without anything too challenging. Our favourite time to dive it is early morning; less boat traffic and often better visibility before the currents pick up.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
26.786167, -80.016335
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Phil Foster

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 Mizpah

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 Mizpah

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