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The Benwood Wreck is one of Key Largo’s best-known shallow wreck dives, resting in approximately 25–45 feet of water. Accessible to Open Water divers, the historic shipwreck combines wreck diving, abundant marine life, and excellent underwater photography in one dive.
Sail Fish Scuba is proud to be a NOAA Blue Star Dive Operator in Key Largo, promoting responsible scuba diving and snorkeling, marine conservation, and guest education throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The Benwood was built in England in 1910 and later operated as a merchant freighter. During World War II, the vessel carried cargo along the U.S. East Coast.
On the night of April 9, 1942, Benwood was traveling from Tampa to Norfolk carrying phosphate rock. With German U-boats believed to be operating in the area, the ship was running without external lights. The southbound Robert C. Tuttle was doing the same. The two vessels collided, crushing Benwood’s bow. The crew abandoned ship, and Benwood was later declared a total loss.
Salvage operations continued into the 1950s. NOAA states that the wreck is believed to have been intentionally blown up to reduce its danger to navigation, and the U.S. Army also used it for aerial target practice after World War II. These events help explain the scattered wreckage divers see today.
The Benwood Wreck lies off Key Largo between French Reef and Dixie Shoals. The wreck is spread across the seafloor, giving divers plenty to explore as they move between the bow, scattered sections of the ship, and areas that have become part of the surrounding marine habitat.
The Benwood rests in approximately 25–45 feet of water, making it one of Key Largo’s more accessible wreck dives and very different from the area’s deeper wrecks.
Open Water certified divers can dive the Benwood when conditions are suitable. Its relatively shallow profile makes it a great introduction to wreck diving.
The Benwood is more than a single intact ship. Divers can follow sections of the wreckage, explore the recognizable bow, and move between scattered steel structures that have become part of the surrounding marine habitat.
Over time, the Benwood Wreck has become an established marine habitat off Key Largo. Coral, sponges, and other marine growth cover sections of the wreck, while its scattered structure provides shelter for a variety of reef life.
Divers commonly encounter schools of grunts and snappers, barracuda, angelfish, parrotfish, moray eels, and other tropical fish around the wreck. Green sea turtles are also a common sight at the Benwood, often resting or swimming around the wreckage.
The combination of historic wreckage and marine life is a big part of what makes the Benwood different from a traditional Key Largo reef dive.
The Benwood Wreck is one of nine historic shipwrecks featured on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail. The trail connects divers with the maritime history of the Florida Keys while highlighting wrecks that have also become important marine habitats.
At the Benwood, divers can explore the remains of a World War II-era shipwreck while seeing how decades underwater have transformed its structure into habitat for coral, fish, sea turtles, and other marine life.
The Benwood gives divers the chance to explore a historic shipwreck at a relatively shallow depth, making it a great choice for Open Water divers who are eager to experience their first wreck.
For underwater photographers, the shallow water means more available natural light, with opportunities to photograph the bow, scattered wreckage, marine life, and divers moving through the site.
It’s also a good stepping stone for divers interested in exploring more of Key Largo’s wrecks before moving on to deeper sites like the USS Spiegel Grove, Duane, and Bibb.
Sail Fish Scuba is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Key Largo, serving divers since 2012. We offer daily recreational scuba diving trips and PADI courses with a focus on small groups and guided diving.
Our recreational dive trips include an in-water PADI dive professional and complimentary underwater photos and videos, so you can enjoy the dive while we capture the experience for you.
Whether you’re trying scuba for the first time, continuing your PADI education, or joining us for a guided dive on the reefs and wrecks of Key Largo, our crew is ready to have a great time in the water with you!
Small-Group Guided Scuba Diving Trips in Key Largo
Daily recreational dive trips with an in-water PADI guide and complimentary underwater photos and videos
Open Daily in Key Largo
PADI Courses in Key Largo
Learn to scuba dive or continue your training in a small-group setting with experienced PADI dive professionals
Hours of Operation
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Private Dive and Snorkel Charters in Key Largo
Plan a private Key Largo dive or snorkel charter to Benwood Wreck, tailored to your group’s experience and interests
"Creating Dive Memories Since 2012"
