General Gordon Wreck - Florida Springs

The General Gordon Wreck is an unusual beast for Florida. Not an ocean wreck at all, but a preserved steamboat, a relic of the late 19th century, lying in the cool, clear spring waters. We love the eerie preservation of it all. You can fin past the paddlewheel, still mostly intact, and even poke your head into the boiler room. It’s like diving through a ghost story. Visibility here is usually excellent, thanks to the spring water, which makes exploring the wooden hull a real treat. Look for the small, shy spring residents – we've seen plenty of freshwater eels weaving through the timbers and sunfish darting in and out of the cracks. It’s a great site for photographers, especially when the light shafts through the trees above and dances on the wreck. Our favourite time to visit is on a weekday morning; it can get busy, and you really want that quiet solitude to properly appreciate the history sinking into the mud. We'd suggest a 5mm wetsuit, even in summer, as those spring waters keep a consistent, refreshing chill.

Location
Florida Springs, United States, North America
Coordinates
32.168583, -80.553750
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Marine Protected Area: Bay Point Shoal

Best Time to Dive in Florida Springs

The warmest water temperatures in Florida Springs occur in August, averaging 31.3°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 15.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.9°C
  • February: 16.7°C
  • March: 20.4°C
  • April: 23.4°C
  • May: 26.8°C
  • June: 29.5°C
  • July: 30.9°C
  • August: 31.3°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 25.6°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • November: 21.3°C (air: 18.1°C)
  • December: 17.6°C (air: 14.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Florida Springs

Nearest Dive Centres to General Gordon Wreck

Marine Life in Florida Springs

Home to 145 recorded species including 122 reef fish, 8 other, 4 sharks & rays, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for General Gordon Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 24.1°C, currents 1 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 24°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