This dive site features the Blackthorn wreck, a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender, scuttled as part of the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program (Pinellas #2 Reef). The tender tragically collided with the Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1980, resulting in the loss of 23 crew members. Today, it serves as a historical monument and a vibrant artificial reef, offering divers an intriguing structure to explore and navigate.
The Blackthorn wreck has become a thriving habitat for a variety of Caribbean reef fish species. Divers can expect to encounter colorful triggerfish, majestic angelfish, schools of snapper, curious pufferfish, lively damselfish, and elusive moray eels, among others, making it a rich environment for marine life observation.
While not specified, the dive site is likely best visited during months with calmer seas and better visibility, typical for the Gulf of Mexico, usually late spring through early fall. It offers a unique blend of history and biology, suitable for divers interested in wreck exploration and marine observation. For freedivers, the average depth of 12 meters makes it accessible, though careful planning is advised due to potential currents and the wreck environment.
