Castor Reef

Castor Reef

West Palm Beach Dive Sites

The Castor Reef is a magnificent wreck that was sunk as part of the Palm Beach Artificial Reef program in December 2001 making it a relatively new wreck as you can see by the photo.

Palm Beach – Wreck Diving

Being part of the program the M/V Castor had all her doors and hatches removed to enable safe penetration by the many divers who are likely to dive this wreck.

This is a relatively large wreck with the coastal freighter being just under 260 feet long and 37 feet wide.

After her controlled sinking she landed on the bottom at a depth of 110 feet so with her structure raising 50 feet from the bottom you can reach this wreck at 60 feet.

This wreck is already well populated with marine life and some of the fish you can expect to see are goliath groupers that have already made this wreck their home.

Other fish you expect to find are hundreds of tomtate grunts, bluehead wrasse, bar jack, reef butterflyfish, gray snapper and creole wrasse.
This is a dive better done with a nitrox mix arranged through a local dive center to ensure maximum bottom time as there is plenty to see and do.

West Palm Beach Scuba Videos

One of the attractions of West Palm Beach scuba diving is that you will be able to take underwater photographs or underwater videos such as the one below. With excellent light and clear waters you will be able to get some excellent shots.

This promotional video includes footage of M/V Castor and other wrecks and it gives you an idea of what to expect when diving the numerous wrecks around West Palm Beach. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)..

Terence’s Log

You may find strong currents at the surface of Castor Reef but these ease off at around 70 feet and the wreck is in very good condition.

Most of the structure is intact and provided they are not timid when you visit you should see the group of goliath grouper that have taken up residence here.

You will need to be an experienced diver and I would strongly recommend diving with one of the Palm Beach dive centers who know the area.