The Trench

The Trench

West Palm Beach Dive Sites

The Trench also known locally as Outfall Trench or Moray Alley can be found 4 miles south of Palm Beach Inlet and is at the south end of Breakers Reef.

Palm Beach – Reef Diving

The Trench, which is 5 meters wide, was cut through the reefs east to west to lay the 100 meter Boca Raton sewage outfall pipe.

This has left 10 foot high walls on both sides of the trench which are sheltered from the passing currents. This means that scuba divers can have an easy dive along the walls protected from any strong currents which pass above.

This is a fascinating area to explore as it is sheltered and provides a habitat for a whole host of marine life that thrives in this area. The pipe work is now covered with various corals and sponges providing a colorful backdrop and habitat for fish and crustaceans.

When the construction took place the rubble and other pieces of material such as cables were dumped at the end of the pipe work and it is now home to marine life that likes to hide amongst the rubble. Here you will find numerous moray eels amongst the rubble and nooks and crannies provided by the construction which is why this area is also known as Moray Alley.

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 video shows The Trench and you get a clear picture of how the area has now been covered with corals and sponges and there is a good variety of marine life to discover. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)..

Terence’s Log

A dive site such as this shows you the power of nature. Having dug through the reefs and laid some pipework you now have an area thriving with marine life that have taken shelter in the man-made trench and made it their own.

This is a nice dive and is not far from Breakers Reef so is very popular with the local dive centers.