Three Coal Barges - Florida Keys

The Three Coal Barges, sitting quietly off Key Largo, don't get the same fanfare as the Spiegel Grove or the Duane, and honestly, we think that’s a real shame. We love these barges for their unassuming charm and the sheer volume of life they attract. They’re relatively shallow, which means longer bottom times to really poke around. You drop onto three distinct sections of old coal barges, now completely colonised by sponges and soft corals. It feels less like a ship and more like a series of scattered, rocky islands. We’ve spent hours here just watching the resident schools of snapper, sometimes so thick you can barely see the wreck structure. Look closely for the smaller stuff, like the lined seahorses that often cling to the growth, swaying with the slight surge. The visibility here can vary, but even on an average day, the sheer density of fish life makes it a fascinating dive. It's a great spot for photographers, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed wreck dive without the pressures of deeper, more exposed sites. Our favourite time to visit is mid-morning, just after the sun starts to properly illuminate the growth.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
30.291500, -87.204834
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Fort Pickens State Park Aquati State Park

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 Three Coal Barges

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 Three Coal Barges

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