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A scuba diver exploring underwater with sunlight streaming through the water above.
📷 Alejandro Seguí · Pexels

Spiegel Grove

4.0 — based on 23 community signals
4.3 12 species 34 contributors

Spiegel Grove is a year-round wreck dive in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary with strong marine life activity and no coral stress.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Florida Keys National Marine S… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckMPAPhotoFriendlyYearRound
+1 more
BoatOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Great barracuda

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Spiegel Grove location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.2 kn
Wave
0.48 m
Water
31°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (18%)
Now: NE (55°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.6m

Today: High 02:00 (+0.16m), Low 09:00 (-0.29m)

+0.2 m0 m-0.4 m
▲ 02:00 · +0.16m ▼ 09:00 · -0.29m ▲ 15:00 · +0.04m ▼ 21:00 · -0.19m Now +0.1m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.1 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 07:08 19:21
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 21.8 0.7 8 0mm
09-19 13.7 0.48 7 47mm
09-20 9.2 0.26 8 4mm
09-21 12.8 0.48 8 2mm
09-22 11.5 0.46 8 3mm
09-23 7.1 0.48 7 7mm
09-24 12.1 0.26 4 1mm

About this spot

Spiegel Grove sits in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a protected zone that keeps the site pristine and well-managed. The wreck attracts consistent marine life throughout the year, making it reliable for wildlife encounters across all seasons. Community footage documents 12 species observations at the site, giving you a clear picture of what to expect before you enter the water. The wreck itself has become an artificial reef, drawing fish, rays, and other marine animals that use the structure for shelter and hunting grounds. The sanctuary designation means the site benefits from strict protection and monitoring. This status also means you need to follow local regulations and respect the protected environment. Divers regularly document activity here, and the three available community videos show real conditions and encounters. Access is straightforward from the Florida Keys, and the location's year-round divability means you can plan a trip almost any month. Coral here shows no stress, indicating healthy reef conditions nearby. Whether you're a first-timer at wreck sites or an experienced tech diver, Spiegel Grove offers accessible wreck diving with solid marine life interaction and the security of being in a managed marine sanctuary.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Great barracuda

Dive types

WreckReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7170km · ~1649kg · €30

FAQ

Can I dive Spiegel Grove year-round?

Yes. Spiegel Grove is diveable throughout the year, so you can schedule a trip based on your own availability and preference rather than seasonal windows.

What marine life should I expect to see?

Community observations document 12 species at Spiegel Grove. Check the available videos and local dive operator reports to learn which fish, rays, and other animals are most common during your visit.

Does Spiegel Grove require special permits or certifications?

Spiegel Grove is inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Follow all sanctuary rules and regulations. Contact local dive operators or the sanctuary office for current permit requirements and site-specific guidelines.

What's the condition of the coral near the wreck?

Coral near Spiegel Grove shows no stress, indicating healthy reef conditions. The sanctuary's protected status supports ongoing ecosystem health.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

44 records · 35 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Marisa cornuarietis

Gastropoda · Ampullariidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Tursiops erebennus

Mammalia · Delphinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 Jan 2026
×1records

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 Jan 2026
×1records

Panulirus argus

Malacostraca · Palinuridae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 Jan 2026
×1records

Tedania ignis

Demospongiae · Tedaniidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×4records

Sepioteuthis sepioidea

Cephalopoda · Loliginidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×2records

Dysidea etheria

Demospongiae · Dysideidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×2records

Zachrysia provisoria

Gastropoda · Zachrysiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Aratus pisonii

Malacostraca · Sesarmidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Exaiptasia diaphana

Anthozoa · Aiptasiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Isognomon alatus

Bivalvia · Isognomonidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Liguus fasciatus

Gastropoda · Orthalicidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Spiegel Grove, Immerse Yourself presentation with Jim Wyatt

History of Diving Museum
💬 3 top comments
  • Nice video, brings back memories as I served on her in 78-79 as an E5 electronics tech spending most of my time either in the ET shop on 01 level port side aft or 03 level in the radar transmitter room, radio communications room or CIC. I was a diver for a few years beginning in 1995 but never made it to the Speigel Grove, the sinking kept getting delayed and I was no longer into diving by the tim

    @56fairbank · 👍 1
  • Mr Wyatt was my division officer when I first reported to the Spiegel Grove.

    @jayman252 · 👍 1
  • Awesome video

    @andrecandrade · 👍 1

Diving the USS Spiegel Grove | Florida Keys | Epic Dive!

The Mindful Diver
💬 3 top comments
  • I served on the Spiegel Grove from 1985 till 1989.

    @donaldhoward1827 · 👍 3
  • This was good. I'm glad to see my old ship in a different atmosphere. A home for the fishes.

    @scotpence6709 · 👍 2
  • What a great experience this must have been!

    @Explore523_1 · 👍 1

Diving The USS Spiegel Grove - Florida Keys Shipwreck

Karim Lounes
💬 2 top comments
  • Absolutely stunning 😮

    @nourandbesher · 👍 1
  • Great dive. I did it about 3 years ago. Looks like you used Rainbow Reef, how did you like them as an operator? Also looks like you used Dive Rite XT fins, do you like them?

    @391wombat · 👍 1
wind peaks Apr-Jan-Mar, calmest Aug-Jul-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Mar (100/100) Worst: Sep (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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