Diving the Spiegel Grove - 7/12/2026

July 12, 2026 The USS Spiegel Grove is a 510-foot retired U.S. Navy landing ship intentionally sunk in 2002 off Key Largo, Florida, to create one of the world's largest artificial reefs. Located six miles offshore in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it sits in about 130 feet of water with top decks accessible to divers at 60 feet. Diving the Spiegel Grove The wreck is a premier destination for advanced scuba divers, though the depth and potential currents demand careful planning and respect. Marine life thrives here, with divers often spotting reef sharks, Goliath groupers, barracudas, and over 130 species of tropical fish mingling with vibrant corals and sponges. Depths: The hull bottoms out around 130-135 feet, making it best suited for Advanced Open Water and Wreck Diver certified divers.Coordinates: The artificial reef lies at the GPS coordinates 25° 0.63299′ N, 80° 22.367′ W. Fascinating History & Oddities The ship's sinking in 2002 is famous in maritime history because it accidentally sank upside down prematurely. It took salvage teams nearly a month to roll the 510-foot vessel onto its starboard side. A few years later, in 2005, the passing Hurricane Dennis unexpectedly shifted the massive ship into its intended upright position on the ocean floor.