Boca Raton’s underwater world is awash in spectacular sea life. Enjoy tropical warm blue waters and Caribbean-quality visibility. Explore reefs, coral–encrusted shipwrecks, and fish-filled natural wonders!
Boca Raton and the Palm Beaches offer divers the opportunity to dive in warm, crystal-clear waters year-round. The Gulfstream makes its closest pass as it cruises past Florida, bringing a large variety of sea life to the vibrant reefs less than two miles offshore. Drift diving is the most popular way to explore the reef lines. Dive charters put you in the water on the southern end of a reef so that you can observe the bright corals and sponges and numerous tropical fish as you gently drift northward.
Thanks to the Gulfstream, divers can expect to see huge schools of large fish such as grunts, snapper, jacks, and grouper. This area of southeast Florida is also the best place to spot sea turtles. Check out the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Center in Red Reef Park to see these magnificent animals and learn more about their habitat and lives.
If wreck diving is your passion, you won’t be disappointed diving in Boca Raton. The Palm Beach Artificial Reef Program has scuttled more than 25 wrecks. Many are in less than 75 feet of water and offer great opportunities for divers to explore a wreck for the first time.
The Palm Beaches and Boca Raton are well-known vacation destinations. You’ll find plenty to do in between dive trips as well. Boca is a luxurious resort city. There are five-star dining establishments, superb golf courses, and upscale shopping areas. If your budget won’t allow you to stay in Boca’s resorts, check out Delray Beach. The low-key beach town of Delray is just to the north of Boca Raton. There is more nightlife in Delray than Boca.
Even further to the north you’ll find the swanky, socialite haven of Palm Beach where the rich and famous have homes. (Think Kennedys, Rockefellers, Trumps.) The regular folks live and vacation in West Palm Beach which is still close enough to allow you to visit Worth Avenue for shopping, dining, and gawking at the glitzy Palm Beach residents.