This dive site explores the Windjammer Wreck, the remains of the Norwegian iron-hulled three-masted ship, the Avanti, located inside the Dry Tortugas National Park off Loggerhead Key. The Avanti struck Loggerhead Reef and sank in 1907, now resting in approximately 5 meters (18 feet) of water. The wreck provides an exciting historical dive and is easy to navigate due to its shallow depth, making it an excellent site for all skill levels to explore its structural remnants.
The Windjammer Wreck is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse marine life. Divers can encounter large pelagics such as goliath groupers, reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even hammerhead sharks. Loggerhead turtles are frequently sighted, gracefully swimming around the wreck. An amazing array of colorful reef fish inhabit the structure, alongside various invertebrates and hard and soft corals that have colonized the iron hull.
The best time to visit the Windjammer Wreck is generally from late spring through early fall for the warmest waters, though diving is possible year-round in Dry Tortugas. Visibility is typically excellent. Due to its shallow nature, this site is perfectly suited for both scuba divers and freedivers, offering ample bottom time and an immersive experience with marine wildlife. Snorkelers will also find this wreck incredibly rewarding, easily viewing the wreck and its inhabitants from the surface.
