5 Amazing Shipwrecks You Can Still See Off the Florida Coast

There is something so fascinating about shipwrecks and hidden treasure, especially dozens, if not hundreds, of feet deep. What better place to dive for treasure and shipwrecks than the Sunshine State? Florida is famous for its shipwrecks. Just off the coast of the Florida Keys alone, there are an estimated 1,000 shipwrecks. Not all have been identified or discovered. In Florida, though, there are over 5,000, including hundreds of lost river ships. There are quite a few you can see and even visit! Follow along to learn about five notable shipwrecks you can still see off the Florida coast.

Emanuel Point Wreck (1559)

The first shipwreck on our list is the Emanuel Point Wreck (1559). This unique and shocking shipwreck likely sunk in 1559. It may have been one of Tristán de Luna y Arellano’s ships that was traveling to Florida. The ship and six others were lost during a storm at Pensacola Bay. The Emanuel Point Shipwreck Site is about 0.5 miles from Pensacola Bay’s coastline. It sits in 13 feet of water. So, when was this old ship discovered? The Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research found the shipwreck in 1992. Under the direction of Dr. Roger Smith, the ship was excavated from 1993 to 1996.

Nuestra Senora de Atocha

One of the most exciting shipwrecks you can still see off the Florida coast is the Nuestra Senora de Atocha ship. This Spanish treasure ship sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622. The vessel held gold, tobacco, gems, indigo, and more. The boat was built in 1620 in Havana for the Spanish Crown. It was about 111 feet long, with a beam of 34 feet and a draft of 14 feet.

Treasure is fascinating, so it’s no surprise that treasure hunters tried their luck diving and mapping possible locations for decades before the ship was found. Eventually, Mel Fisher and his team found the Atocha, including silver, a cannon, and more artifacts. This led to a battle with the State of Florida over the ownership of the shipwreck site. According to Mel Fisher’s website, Mel Fisher’s Expeditions is still working on recovering treasure and artifacts from the shipwreck. Also, you can reach out and dive with them!

Lofthus

Another extraordinary shipwreck in Florida is the Lofthus, a Norwegian shipwreck near Boynton Beach. T.R. Oswald built this 222-foot iron-hulled vessel in 1868 in Sunderland, England. It was launched on October 5, 1868, and sunk on February 4, 1898. The crew were luckily rescued by the passing vessel Three Friends. The vessel tried to help get the ship out of the water but couldn’t because it was too high on the beach. The pounding waves were also damaging the boat quickly. The ship split into many pieces, and the wreck is now around 290 feet long by 50 feet wide.

This site and shipwreck is a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve. You can visit the remains of the ship for free. Animals like Caribbean spiny lobsters, stingrays, and porcupine fish use the wreckage for shelter.

SS Tarpon (1887)

The SS Tarpon is also a Florida shipwreck that deserves a spotlight. It was built in 1887 and originally named the Naugatuck. Sadly, on August 30, 1937, this iron-hulled twin screw steamship left Mobile, Alabama filled with freight. It may have carried over 200 tons of general cargo, 200 barrels of oil, and 15 tons of fresh water. On September 1, water poured into the ship as the sea was rocky. It didn’t take long for the vessel to wreck, resulting in 18 of the 31 people drowning, as there was no radio to call for help. You can find this 160-foot long and 26-foot wide wreck about 7.8 nautical miles offshore of Panama City on the Florida panhandle. The wreck sits submerged in about 95 feet of water.

City of Washington

Last but not least is the City of Washington shipwreck. This shipwreck is a popular dive spot on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Shipwreck Trail. This ship launched on August 31, 1877. It operated for five decades until it wrecked on July 10, 1917, with two other vessels, Seneca and the tugboat Luckenbach 4. While Seneca and Luckenbach 4 were refloated, the City of Washington broke apart and couldn’t be salvaged.

The City of Washington’s wreckage isn’t anything special; it’s the spectacular story behind the ship’s history. This ship suffered damage after the USS Maine exploded. Crew members spent hours assisting in the rescue of USS Maine survivors. Now, the wreck lies in 25 to 32 feet of water.