For the first time, Miami’s premier wreck sites are now accessible to everyone – divers and non-divers alike! Reef Smart Guides has officially launched high-resolution 3D maps of 8 Miami-Dade wreck sites and the Arm Tanks Wreck Trek.
Whether you are an avid diver planning your next underwater adventure, or an enthusiast that likes to explore the beneath the surface from the comfort of your own home, these interactive 3D models offer an unprecedented look at Florida’s artificial reef system.
You can now explore these sites directly on our Dive Sites page or take them underwater with our signature waterproof handheld 3D cards, available for purchase.
A Collaborative Vision for Marine Conservation
The Miami-Dade 3D mapping project was the result of over a year of meticulous planning and community crowdfunding, led by Nick Morrell of the Miami-Dade Reef Guard Association and several of the region’s top dive operators including Diver’s Paradise Miami, Ace Diving and Squalo Divers.
The initiative wasn’t just about creating maps; it was about building a sustainable base for future mapping of Miami’s natural resources. Reef Smart successfully trained six local, experienced divers in advanced 3D data collection, ensuring that the mapping of Miami’s underwater ecosystems will continue for years to come.
As Seen on Local-10 News
The impact of this project caught the attention of Miami’s Local-10 News, highlighting how these 3D models boost eco-tourism and reduce “diver pressure” on natural coral reefs.
Click here to watch the Local-10 News Feature!
Featured Miami Wreck Sites in 3D
The following wrecks were fully mapped by the team and are available as interactive 3D models and waterproof guides:
- Tortuga: a former offshore supply vessel, turned 90s movie prop. This ship was dynamited during the climax of “Fair Game” starring Cindy Crawford and William Baldwin.
- Rio Miami: the iconic tugboat, Rio Miami, was sunk as an artificial reef. She sits on a sandy seabed at a depth of 75 feet (23 meters), with a list to her starboard side.
- Paraiso III: an offshore supply vessel, complete and upright on a sandy seafloor 76 feet (23 meters) with some limited penetrations.
- DEMA Trader: a cargo ship built in 1957 and seized by U.S. Customs for smuggling narcotics, deployed as artificial reef in 2003 just east of Key Biscayne.
- Proteus: a cargo ship that was broken up by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, covered in life on a sandy seafloor at a depth of 71 feet (21.5 meters).
- Biscayne: a classic 150-foot-long (45.7-meter) freighter that lies partially submerged in the sand at a depth of 61 feet (18.5 meters).
- Army Tanks Wreck Trek: Army Tanks Wreck Trek consists of two M60 army tanks, an overturned barge tugboat that have all become thriving marine habitats.