wreck

Log This Dive

Three Coal Barges

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.