Mike’s Wreck

Fast Facts:

• Average Depth:  20 ft. / 6 m
• Max Depth: 25 ft. / 8 m

Features:

• Coral Reef
• Wreck Site
• Mooring Buoys
• Good Snorkeling
• Marine Preserve

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One of the ships that sank on Elbow Reef is an unknown steel-hulled ship that is called Mike’s Wreck. There are two larger sections of the bow and stern which appear grown into the reef. Other smaller pieces are scattered around a large area. Many people once thought the wreck debris was the Civil War era ship, the Towanda, or possibly parts of another wreck simply known as the Civil War wreck.

The Mike’s Wreck spot is a popular location for underwater photography. Divers report that it is the most colorful of the wrecks on Elbow. There is abundant marine life in the shallow waters. Maximum depth is 25 feet and visibility is usually good because the Elbow Reef juts into the Gulf Stream a bit. Beautiful specimens of elkhorn, brain and star coral are often covered with tiny fish. Sea fans grow from a portion of the wreck.

Fish to spot on Mike’s Wreck are midnight parrot fish, jacks, filefish, grunts, and barracuda. You may also sea some rays, nurse sharks, morays, lobster and sea turtles.