The town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is known as “The Shore Diving Capital of South Florida,” and all for a good reason. This picturesque South Florida beach community, with its beautiful white sandy beach, not only boasts coral reefs just a short swim from the beach but also offers visitors great hotels, restaurants and entertainment.
Here divers can swim from the beach and find two coral reef lines teeming with sea life, the SS Copenhagen, a state designated archaeological underwater preserve, and the “Shipwreck Snorkel Trail.
CLICK HERE FOR MAP AND MORE INFORMATION
The trail was constructed by the Marine Archaeological Council to promote Broward County’s maritime heritage and opened in 2002, with a dedication ceremony by famous marine explorer Jean-Michele Cousteau. With the help of Vone Research, an artificial reef was constructed to recreate the remains of an early wooden shipwreck, complete with a ballast stone pile, replica cannons, and an authentic anchor.
The site is located at one of the more popular shore diving entry points off Datura Street, one block south of Commercial Boulevard, in about 12 to 14 feet of water. The 100 X 20 foot area is just south of, and inshore from, a white marker buoy.
The town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers special divers parking permits that divers can use to park near the beach. The permits, priced at $30, allow divers to park for free from 6 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. from May 1 to Oct. 31 on Datura Avenue, Hibiscus Avenue and Bougainvilla Drive. The permits exclude Friday evenings and Saturdays.
CLICK HERE TO SEE CURRENT CONDITIONS ON THE WINDJAMMER RESORT LIVE WEBCAM
Images courtesy of the Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and By-The-Sea Realty