Kiawah Reef - Automobiles - Florida Springs
Kiawah Reef, often called Automobiles, is a unique artificial reef off Florida's coast. Divers here explore various vehicle wrecks, creating an interesting structure for marine growth. We’ve seen plenty of reef fish sheltering among the old chassis, and it's a good spot for photography if you like something a bit different from natural reefs. It suits divers looking for a straightforward wreck dive that isn't too challenging.
- Location
- Florida Springs, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 32.485466, -80.003560
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
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
- Artificial Reef CCA - Deck Barge 2 (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - 175 Ship YO-224 (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - 430 Liberty Ship (reef)
- Betsy Ross Reef - Bridge 1 (reef)
- Cape Romain Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Capers Reef (reef)
- Capers Reef - Caisson (reef)
- Capers Reef - Coast Guard Buoy R8 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Concrete Reef Balls 1 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Landing Craft 1 (reef)
- Capers Reef - Tug Boat (reef)
- Capers Reef - Unknown Barge - 10-20m (reef)
- Charleston Nearshore Reef (reef)
- Charleston Sixty Reef - 240 Barge (reef)
- Charleston Sixty Reef - Army APCs 1 (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Kiawah Reef - Automobiles
- Atlantic Pro Divers - ["PADI"]
- Blue Grotto Dive Resort
- Carolina Dive Locker
- First Coast Divers - ["PADI"]
- Island Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- Scooba Shack - SSI
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
- Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) - Reef Fish
- Prodigal Son (Rachycentron canadum) - Reef Fish
- Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) - Reef Fish
- Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) - Reef Fish
- Rainwater Killifish (Lucania parva) - Reef Fish
- Freshwater Flounder (Trinectes maculatus) - Reef Fish
- American Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) - Reef Fish
- Bream (Lagodon rhomboides) - Reef Fish
- Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) - Reef Fish
- Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) - Reef Fish
- Clown Goby (Microgobius gulosus) - Reef Fish
- Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) - Reef Fish
- Silver mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus) - Reef Fish
- Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) - Reef Fish
- Silver Perch (Bairdiella chrysoura) - Reef Fish
- Longnose Killifish (Fundulus similis) - Reef Fish
- Common mojarra (Eucinostomus gula) - Reef Fish
- Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) - Reef Fish
- Swordfish (Strongylura marina) - Reef Fish
- Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Kiawah Reef - Automobiles
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