The Benwood Wreck in Key Largo, Florida
A Local Favorite Not to Miss
Not every wreck in Key Largo is a Goliath like the Spiegel Grove — located in deep waters, massive, and needing advanced certification. Some, like the Benwood wreck, are quieter legends.
Once a merchant marine freighter lost to the Atlantic, the Benwood wreck lounges in shallower waters, making it an approachable introduction for open water divers.
By day, it’s sunlit waters — steel, history, and marine life on full display. By night, it’s a whole new sensory experience.
Why do divers keep coming back to the Benwood wreck? Let’s just say it’s a seven-letter word.
Key Largo's Benwood Wreck
The SS Benwood was an American steamship built in 1910, a workhorse of the seas, carrying cargo across long stretches of ocean.
On the night of April 9, 1942, whispers of German U-boats prowling the waters forced her crew to switch off every light. Navigating in total blackout, the Benwood collided with the SS Tuttle. She floated for a while, wounded and stubborn, but the damage was fatal.
In the years that followed, the SS Benwood was used for military target practice, then declared a hazard to the waterways. The U.S. Navy scuttled her, even resorting to dynamite, sending her to the sea floor. That scattered steel would eventually become one of the most accessible dive sites in the Florida Keys.
Between French Reef and Dixie Shoals, her steel and history stand ready for exploration. For first-time divers or seasoned adventurers, the Benwood wreck is a doorway to the famous Key Largo Wreck Trail.
SS Benwood | Fast Facts
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
- Type: Merchant cargo ship
- Date of Service: 1910-1942
- Depth: 25–45 feet
- Diver Level: Open Water
- Currents: Light to medium
- Coordinates: 25°03.160'N, 80°20.020'W, about 1 mile northeast of Key Largo, Florida
- Highlights: Intact bow, anchor from another wreck, large deck sections, vibrant marine life
- Great for: Beginner divers, snorkeling, underwater photography, training dives
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
Imagine descending on a mooring line to reach a deep wreck, the hulk of a massive ship gradually emerging in the depths. The Benwood wreck is an opposite experience.
Take your giant stride into the water and you’re there: steel, history, and marine life unfolding from the first moment.
The Benwood wreck is a prime spot for divers interested in underwater photography, history aficionados, and marine life enthusiasts alike.
Marine Life You'll See at the Benwood Wreck
Why the Benwood Wreck Is a Must-Dive in Key Largo, Florida
Marine Life You'll See at the Benwood Wreck
Locals call the Benwood Wreck the “Turtle Hotel,” thanks to the array of turtle species that call it home.
You’ll also find lobsters, moray eels, damselfish, parrotfish, yellowtail snapper, grunts, nurse sharks, and goliath groupers — wildlife at its finest.
On any given dive, it’s a prime spot for underwater photography, with something new to capture around every corner.
The Benwood Wreck's Architecture
Approaching the bow—the ship's most intact feature—divers immediately get a sense of the ship’s story. Move aft (toward the back of the ship), and the deck and hull stretch out before you. Years under the ocean have stripped away much of the exterior plating, leaving a skeletal structure that’s fascinating to explore.
Diagonal braces along the sides form triangles, tracing the ship’s internal framework and revealing how it was built.
Move through the Benwood wreck's rusted skeleton and you’re in the middle of a story. Every beam, every hollow frame shows what once was and what the ocean has made of it.
Near the bow, a large anchor rests in the sand. Often mistaken for part of the Benwood, it actually belongs to a different wreck—adding a twist of mystery to the dive.
Benwood Wreck After Dark
Night dives at the Benwood wreck have a completely different dive vibe. The marine life shifts and nocturnal creatures appear in abundance, making the wreck feel alive in a whole new way.
Join Sail Fish Scuba for guided night dives on the Benwood Wreck in Key Largo — three times a week.
Ready To Dive In?
That’s enough scrolling — time to book your adventure
Adventures are better with the right people — and the best crew. Join Sail Fish Scuba for daily guided scuba diving tours in Key Largo, Florida, and explore the Benwood Wreck, one of the most iconic Florida Keys dive sites. Experience the difference with our small groups and personalized attention, ensuring safety, professionalism, and an unforgettable dive. Dive among green sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral-covered wrecks, and enjoy complimentary underwater photography to make your land-dwelling friends jealous of the adventure you just lived.
Discover the Benwood Wreck – Top Dive Site in the Florida Keys
A scuba diver explores the historic Benwood Wreck in Key Largo, guided by one of our professional dive guides. This Key Largo wreck dive site is popular with both beginner and advanced divers, featuring vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and intriguing WWII history. As one of the top Florida Keys dive sites, the Benwood Wreck offers a unique underwater adventure and unforgettable scuba diving experience in Key Largo.
sailfishscuba.com
103100 Overseas Highway #33 Key Largo, FL 33037