SS Benwood was an American steamship built in 1910, designed to carry cargo across the seas.
On the night of April 9, 1942, amid rumors of German U-boats in the area, the steamer’s crew switched off all external lights to avoid detection. Her final voyage took place navigating the dark, submarine-patrolled waters off the Florida Keys in full blackout—no lights, no signals—silent and unseen, hoping to slip past enemy eyes lurking in the depths. The Benwood collided with the SS Tuttle in a devastating accident. Though she remained afloat briefly after the crash, the damage was too severe—she was beyond saving. In the years that followed, the Benwood was even used for military target practice before officials determined she posed a navigational hazard.
To remove the danger to nearby shipping lanes, the U.S. Navy deliberately scuttled the Benwood. Later, they used dynamite to break apart the remaining structure, ensuring she would rest safely on the seafloor—creating the scattered wreck that divers explore today.
Today, the SS Benwood has transitioned from a wartime casualty to one of the most popular and accessible dive sites in the Florida Keys, teeming with life and history. You can find this wreck off the coast of Key Largo between French Reef and Dixie Shoals.
If you’ve always dreamed of diving a shipwreck but weren’t sure where to begin, this underwater time capsule stands ready to welcome you — like an open book waiting for your first chapter, it’s the perfect place to start your story of exploration in the Florida Keys.
Shipwrecks often leave a heavy, powerful impression - their massive hulls resting in dark, deep water, carrying an eerie energy that reflects their history and mystery. But the Benwood, resting in sunlit waters, has a lighter, brighter presence.
The Benwood wreck’s open layout provides excellent visibility and generally mild currents, creating ideal conditions for divers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner pursuing your PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water certifications, an underwater photographer looking to capture vibrant marine life and striking structures, or an experienced scuba diver, the site offers a versatile and rewarding experience.
The Benwood wreck offers one of the best wreck dives in Key Largo and the Florida Keys, perfect for exploring rich history and diverse marine life.
Whether you're diving or snorkeling, at SS Benwood you'll find perfectly buoyant turtles, lobsters tucked into crevices, and moray eels peeking out of cracks. Schools of yellowtail snapper flash bright yellow while parrotfish dance in vibrant rainbows.
Resting on the seafloor as both a powerful relic and gentle sanctuary, the SS Benwood quietly echoes a fundamental truth: that history is a living, dynamic presence. Dive in and uncover the intricate details of SS Benwood.
From the bow—the most intact part of the wreck—divers begin their journey through the remains of SS Benwood. As you move aft from the bow, large sections of the deck and hull come into view. The hull has lost much of its exterior plating over time, creating a fascinating cradle for divers to explore.
On either side, diagonal braces in a triangular design trace the ship’s internal framework and reveal the original contours of the architecture.
Moving through the Benwood’s open, skeletal remains feels like passing through a delicate monument—where every rusted beam and hollow frame evokes a complex tension: vast yet petite, strong yet fragile, alive yet still.
Forward of the bow, a large anchor lies embedded in the sand. Although commonly mistaken as part of the Benwood, it actually belongs to a different wreck, adding an extra element of mystery to the site.
Night dives at the Benwood wreck offer an entirely different, magical experience. As darkness falls over Key Largo, the wreck transforms into a mysterious underwater sanctuary, alive with an abundance of sea turtles and nocturnal marine life.
Sunlight dances across the Benwood wreck, resting in the clear waters of Key Largo — a breathtaking dive site ideal for divers of all experience levels. Join Sail Fish Scuba to explore this iconic Florida Keys wreck and see why it's one of the region’s top scuba diving destinations.
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103100 Overseas Highway #33 Key Largo, FL 33037