wreck

Log This Dive

Proteus Wreck

The Proteus Wreck, off the Florida Keys, isn't just another pile of metal on the seabed. This 19th-century schooner, sunk in 1913, has been thoroughly taken by the sea, transforming into a living reef. What we love about the Proteus is how organic it feels – the wooden hull has largely disintegrated, leaving behind the ribs and structure that now host a bustling community. You’ll drift over a skeletal frame, barnacle-encrusted and draped in soft corals. Schools of grunts and snappers hang motionless within the remaining bulkheads, unbothered by divers. We’ve spotted loggerhead turtles cruising by and nurse sharks tucked under the heavier pieces of wreckage on more than one occasion. It’s a shallower wreck, usually around 8 to 10 metres, making it perfect for longer bottom times and less experienced wreck divers. Our favourite time to visit is late morning when the sun angle lights up the structure just right, bringing out the vibrant colours of the sponges and anemones that have made this historic vessel their home. It's less about penetration, more about observing the incredible transformation from ship to reef.