Dive-site story
Sitting upright on an open sand flat off Fort Lauderdale, the Merci Jesus is a former cargo vessel scuttled as an artificial reef. Divers explore an intact wheelhouse, accessible open cargo holds, and hardware encrusted with colorful encrusting sponges and gorgonians. The wreck serves as an oasis for marine life between offshore reef tracts, routinely drawing schools of baitfish and cruising pelagic species.
Intact hull resting fully upright on a pale sand plain
Spacious cargo hold allowing open swim-through exploration with natural light
Frequent aggregations of nurse sharks and stingrays resting around the keel
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Summer and early autumn deliver calm seas, warmer water, and optimal visibility.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse SharkGinglymostoma cirratum | Common | ||||||||||||
| Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda | Common | ||||||||||||
| Southern StingrayHypanus americanus | Common | ||||||||||||
| French AngelfishPomacanthus paru | Common | ||||||||||||
| Green MorayGymnothorax funebris | Common |
Marine forecast
