USCG Bibb (Wreck) - Florida Keys

The USCG Bibb is one of those wrecks that really feels like a proper ship, not just a pile of metal. She sits upright, largely intact, and when you drop down, you quickly get a sense of her scale. At 33 metres, you're deep enough to feel that pressure, but the visibility here is usually pretty good, often 20 metres or more on a calm day. We love how the pilothouse and parts of the engine room are still accessible. You can glide through, imagining the crew, and then pop out to find a huge goliath grouper staring at you from under a deck overhang. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still in place, covered in sponges and gorgonians. Look closely, and you’ll spot schooling jacks swirling around the mast structures, with barracuda often hanging motionless in the slight current. We'd suggest going early, before the afternoon boat traffic kicks up, to really appreciate the quiet grandeur of this old cutter. It’s an intermediate dive, perfect for those comfortable with depth and overhead environments, offering a real dive into history and thriving artificial reef life.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
24.967100, -80.383500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Molasses Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

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 USCG Bibb (Wreck)

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 USCG Bibb (Wreck)

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