Can I snorkel SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Yes in calm conditions, but the wreck is primarily a scuba site.

How do you reach SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Plan a boat charter from Key Largo; this is not a shore-access wreck.

Is SS Benwood (Wreck) good for beginner divers?

Yes. It is widely described as a beginner-friendly wreck and a good first wreck to explore.

Is SS Benwood (Wreck) good for night dives?

Yes. It is a favorite wreck for night dives and relaxed recreational exploration.

What conditions should I expect at SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Expect open-water wreck conditions, moderate current, and generally good visibility.

What is SS Benwood (Wreck)?

SS Benwood (Wreck) is a shallow Key Largo wreck on a WWII-era freighter that now serves as an artificial reef.

What marine life can I expect at SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Sea turtles, parrotfish, barracuda, and grouper are all reported around the wreck.

What should I watch for at SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Watch the current on the approach and keep good buoyancy around the broken hull and sandy edges.

SS Benwood (Wreck)

Shallow Key Largo wreck dive off French Reef

Scuba DivingSnorkelingBoat7m - 14m

Wreck

Boat-access wreck in the Florida Keys with moderate current, good visibility, and a beginner-friendly profile for wreck and night dives.

About SS Benwood (Wreck)

SS Benwood is a shallow Key Largo wreck dive on a WWII-era freighter that now sits as an artificial reef between French Reef and Dixie Shoals. It is an easy boat dive with broad visibility, gentle to moderate current, and a turtle-and-parrotfish wreck profile that works well for beginners, night dives, and relaxed recreational wreck days.

Safety & Access

Site Conditions

Boat trafficStrong current

Safety Notes

Watch current on the open-water approach and keep good buoyancy around the broken hull and sandy edges.

Access Restrictions

Boat access only; plan on a guided wreck charter and stay within the site briefing.

Legal Notes

The wreck is a protected resource inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Where Is SS Benwood (Wreck)?

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Community sourced coordinates.

Map imagery © Mapbox

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Local Intel For SS Benwood (Wreck)

Community notes to help plan your visit.

Scuba Diving

Popular wreck diving with enough structure for careful exploration and night dives.

Freediving

Not a freedive-first site; the wreck profile and open-water conditions make scuba the better fit.

Snorkeling

The shallow wreck profile makes calm-water snorkeling possible, though the site is best explored by scuba.

Wildlife at SS Benwood (Wreck)

Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.

Saltwater Fishes

Barracuda

Green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), Moorea, French Polynesia

Turtles

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Saltwater Fishes

Grouper/Basslets

Saltwater Fishes

Parrotfish

Research Estimate At SS Benwood (Wreck)

Access · 4/5Simple entry

Research estimate

Coral · 4/5Healthy coral

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Aquatic Life · 4/5Great variety

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Facilities · 4/5Good facilities

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Crowd / Popularity · 4/5Quite busy

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Current · 3/5Moderate current

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Surge · 2/5Light surge

Research estimate

VisibilityResearch estimate: 25m

Recent Visits

United States of America · Key Largo

SS Benwood (Wreck)

Shallow Key Largo wreck dive off French Reef

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FAQ

SS Benwood (Wreck), United States of America - Dive Spot Details & Conditions | DiveJourney

SS Benwood (Wreck)

About SS Benwood (Wreck)

Safety & Access

Where Is SS Benwood (Wreck)?

Featured Operators

Local Intel For SS Benwood (Wreck)