Then came the
bathtubs, toilets, the cement mixer and
refrigerators sunk to the bottom and, finally,
the Reef Advisory Committee organized the
sinking of the USS Rankin, a 459 ft. attack
cargo ship commissioned in 1945.
The reefs are located approximately three
to eight miles offshore. Area oceanographers
have photographed thriving marine life amid
the decks of the Rankin and other junk collections.
The State of Florida, Department of Natural
Resources, authorizes all the artificial
reefs.
Diving for lobsters is a tastefully rewarding
pastime for residents and visitors alike.
There is a two-day lobster season for sport
divers in July, prior to the regular season.
Limits are 6 lobsters / crawfish per day
per diver. The regular season is August
1 - March 31.
|
 |
Beaches
that offer Snorkeling and or Diving
S = Snorkeling D = Diving |
| Stuart Beach |
S |
| Jensen Beach Sea Turtle |
S |
| Hobe Sound Beach |
S |
| Bathtub Reef Park |
S D |
| Bob Graham Beach |
S |
| Alex's Access |
S |
| House of Refuge |
S D |
| Chastain Beach Access |
S D |
| St. Lucie Inlet State Park |
S D |
| Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge |
D |
| Blowing Rocks Preserve |
S D |
 |
One
of the more popular sports for Floridians is underwater
diving. Local waterways have many beautiful reefs
and colorful marine life. Snorkeling and scuba
diving bring out many visitors and residents to
the beaches, rivers and offshore spots to "Enjoy
Our Goodnature" underwater.
