The Duane Wreck
Protected Area
Molasses Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary
Why dive here
With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - The Duane Wreck offers some of Florida Keys's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Duane Wreck, sitting upright in the Florida Keys, is a big hit with divers who like a bit of history with their reef. This former Coast Guard cutter, intentionally sunk in 1987, is now an artificial reef, dropping to around 36 metres. We usually find schools of jacks circling the superstructure, and the crow's nest at 27 metres often has a barracuda or two lurking. It's an advanced dive, for sure, with potentially strong currents. But if you’re comfortable managing that, the swim-throughs and the sheer scale of the wreck make it worthwhile for a deeper exploration.
Typical The Duane Wreck Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to The Duane Wreck
Dive shops near The Duane Wreck
Dive In Watersports
Scuba-Fun
Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks)
Sundiver Boat Dock
Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks)
Rainbow Reef Retail Store
Reviews for The Duane Wreck
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for The Duane Wreck
The Duane Wreck Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for The Duane Wreck, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL (28km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 20.9–31.1°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Current Speed
0 cm/s
Direction: S (180°)
Salinity
35.98 PSU
Wind Speed
2.7 m/s
5.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.5 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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