Details

Located just off the state park beach, Navy Ledge is articulated reef that rises from the sea floor to nearly 9' beneath the surface of the ocean just south of Port Everglades Inlet. As a natural reef, it is home to a wide cast of characters and critters. The many ledges provide safe harbor for lobsters, nurse sharks, and eels. Over and around, swim colorful parrot fish, graceful angel fish, and tasty hogfish and snapper (sorry, no spearing allowed!).

We'll meet, gear up, and brief near the restroom building. As conditions allow, we will enter the surf and surface swim the few hundred yards to the reef. Dropping down just west of the ledge, we'll engage it and explore it to the north or south before heading back toward shore.

This dive includes an ambitious swim, so divers should be confident in their ability to make that distance and then some. Currents can be an influence in this area. Bottom time is estimated at 60-70 minutes and depths limited to 25'. Lobstering is permitted with appropriate licensing and equipment.

Park access is very reasonable at $4 per single-occupant car or $6 for a carload. Entrance fees cover parking and use of very nice amenities, such as clean restrooms and fresh water showers.

RENTAL GEAR is available for this dive. Air tanks, $10; BCDs, $15; Regulator sets, $15; Weights, $5 up to 20lbs.