If you’re an underwater enthusiast or history lover, you’ll likely be fascinated by a one-of-a-kind trail that parallels the Florida Keys. Called the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, it’s a line of shipwreck sites from Key Largo to Key West.

Divers examine the intentionally scuttled 327-foot former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Duane in 120 feet of water off Key Largo. (Photo by Stephen Frink, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Established by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it encourages an appreciation and understanding of the Keys’ maritime heritage — and provides intriguing exploration for both snorkelers and divers.

You’ll find centuries-old wrecks, including a Spanish vessel from the 1700s, plus modern cargo and military ships that were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs. Resting at depths from 14 to well over 100 feet, they’re now home to countless varieties of coral and fish in the sanctuary’s federally protected waters.

What vessels can you explore along the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail?

KEY LARGO:

Off the coast in 25 feet of water is City of Washington, a two-masted sailing vessel used for passenger transport and cargo trade between New York, Cuba and Mexico. It sank July 10, 1892.

Key Largo's massive Spiegel Grove (bow shown here) draws dive aficionados from all over the world.

Benwood, a merchant marine freighter, lies in 25 to 45 feet of water. It sank in 1942 after colliding with another vessel. Both were traveling without lights as a precaution during World War II blackout conditions.

Duane, in 120 feet of water, was named for Secretary of the Treasury William Duane, who served under Andrew Jackson. It was sunk as an artificial reef Nov. 27, 1987.

ISLAMORADA:

San Pedro, a member of Spain’s 1733 treasure fleet, is the shipwreck trail’s oldest wreck. It’s located off Indian Key in just 18 feet of water. FYI, early shipwreck salvors called wreckers inhabited Indian Key in the early 1800s, finding it a convenient haven midway along the Keys — and a safe harbor in bad weather.

Eagle, a cargo transporter, was sunk as an artificial reef in 1985. It lies off Lower Matecumbe Key in 110 feet of water.

MARATHON:

The three-masted bark Adelaide Baker, also called the Conrad, lies south of Duck Key in 20 feet of water.

Divers can see the Thunderbolt wreck in its entirety during one dive, with visibility up to 100 feet. (Photo courtesy of Hall's Dive Center & International Career Institute)

A wreck believed to be North America lies in 14 feet of water on Delta Shoals east of Sombrero Light. This vessel was lost Nov. 25, 1842, while carrying dry goods and furniture.

Thunderbolt was donated to the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association by Florida Power and Light Co., which bought it in 1961 to use in researching electrical energy and lightning strikes (thereby inspiring its name). Thunderbolt was intentionally sunk March 6, 1986, in 120 feet of water four miles south of Marathon.

KEY WEST:

Amesbury, built for military combat, is better known as Alexander’s Wreck. The former destroyer escort is broken into two sections that lie 200 yards apart, five miles west of Key West in 25 feet of water. 

ARTIFICIAL REEFS:

The Adolphus Busch, shown here at its sinking, offers divers a remarkable opportunity for exploration off the Lower Keys. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

As well as the vessels of the shipwreck heritage trail, three artificial reefs sunk in the sanctuary in recent years beckon divers and snorkelers from around the world.

Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy landing ship dock, is the third-largest ship ever intentionally sunk to create a new reef for divers. Sunk in May 2002, it’s positioned about six miles off Key Largo in 130 feet of water. Divers recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its scuttling, and it remains one the Keys’ most intriguing sites.

West of Looe Key in the Lower Keys lies the 210-foot freighter Adolphus Busch Senior. Since Dec. 5, 1998, divers have been exploring this artificial reef approximately five miles southwest of Big Pine Key.

The second-largest vessel intentionally sunk as an artificial reef is the 524-foot General Hoyt S. Vandenberg. The decommissioned Air Force ship once tracked space launches off Florida — and “starred” as a Russian science ship in the 1999 film “Virus.”

Divers explore the superstructure of the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key West. (Photo by Haig Jacobs, Florida Keys News Bureau)

In May 2009, Vandenberg was sunk about seven miles off Key West. The bottom of its hull rests on sand in depths averaging 145 feet, but its superstructure begins about 45 feet below the surface.

Only a few ships in Florida Keys waters carried gold or other rich cargoes. But from Spanish galleons to vessels more recently sunk as artificial reefs, they all offer treasures for today’s divers and snorkelers: prized and colorful marine life and a unique glimpse into history.