Wreck of Nuestra Señora de Atocha - Florida Keys

Diving the Earl of Abergavenny is less about a grand ship structure and more about a scatter of history, broken apart by centuries of storms. What’s left of this 1796 East Indiaman lies at a depth we'd put around 15-20 metres, making it accessible for most experienced divers when conditions are good. You won't find towering masts here, but rather a fascinating debris field of timbers, canons, and ballast stones spread across the seabed. We love picking through the smaller artefacts, imagining the ship's final moments. It’s a site that rewards patience and a keen eye. Look closely amongst the wreckage and you’ll spot an impressive array of life: Sulphur Sponges cling to the scattered timbers, lumpsuckers often hide in crevices, and we’ve seen dories ghosting over the sand nearby. The currents can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water. Visibility, as with many UK sites, can be hit or miss, but on a clear day, the way the light filters through the kelp growing on the shallower sections of wreckage is truly something. It's a dive for those who appreciate history and the slow, relentless reclaiming of man-made objects by the sea.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
24.531400, -82.830600
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Dry Tortugas National 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 Wreck of Nuestra Señora de Atocha

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 Wreck of Nuestra Señora de Atocha

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