Benwood wreck
Benwood wreck
4.5
About
Selected as one of the dive sites on the Florida Keys' Shipwreck Trail, this merchant marine freighter was built in 1920 and sunk in 1942.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
304 reviews
Excellent
167
Very good
93
Average
36
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Jennifer Roback Morse
Lake Charles, LA14 contributions
Mar 2021
We took a night dive to the Benwood Wreck. Really, really stunning. Many sea turtles as well as parrotfish sleeping inside the ribs of the wreck. Plan to get there at dusk and you will see the arrival of a staggering number of fish, seeking shelter for the night. Not to be missed.
Written March 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob B
9 contributions
May 2021
Had a great 2nd tank dive here after diving the spiegel grove with sun sport diving company . A lot shallower of a dive so you can relax and enjoy exploring the ship. A must dive.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EvanL
Singapore486 contributions
May 2015
Located barely 7 miles from Key Largo, the popular Benwood wreck is a relatively shallow wreck compared to USCG Duane, USCG Bibb and USS Spiegel Grove near Key Largo. It is the only wreck suitable for beginner divers (less than 30ft), as the other wrecks are in deeper waters (over 90ft) and occasionally strong currents. Benwood was sunk in the 1940's and much of the outside are gone, but the skeleton remains and you can see them diving or snorkeling. Much of the wreck is encrusted by corals, making a good dive site to spot marine life. The site is popular for day and night dives, so the only downside is it can get crowded unless you arrive on the earliest dive boat.
Written July 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diverpatrick28
Bridgeport, NY53 contributions
Aug 2019
Not much of the ship to see just pieces , but if you go at night it's alive with many fish, sharks ,rays and crabs. It's not real deep around 30 feet or so.I like to sit near the wreck and watch what goes by.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karinking13
Bethany, CT18 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Saw lots of fish, many turtles and eels. Bioluminescence. Can't get lost. If you can see the wreck you know where you are. Highly recommend.
Written August 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard S
Rocky Mount, MO58 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This is literally 5 miles from my back door, and is one of my GOTOs when people come to visit. Awesome place to see green eels, sea turtles, and glass minnows.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmillette
Southern California6 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
This wreck is good if you would like to experience a decent size at a shallow depth. It does, however get very crowded. Too crowded in my opinion but worth the trip none the less.
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waltea2015
Chelmsford, MA4 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
I was a little skeptical about diving the Benwood. It is a relatively shallow wreck and has been blown apart (look into the history - this was actually damaged in a collision with another ship running without lights in WWII to avoid detection by U-Boats and later used for target practice). I am very glad I did. The sun was out on the day I went and the fish life on this wreck is amazing - great photo opportunities. It is an oasis of sea life in the middle of nowhere. I went with Silent World Divers and had the pleasure of being with a small group for a nice l-o-n-g dive.
Written June 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomek G
Spring Valley, CA33 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
If you are there mainly for the shipwreck you will not see much because there is not much left of the ship. On the good side however there is so much marine life around this ship that will not be disappointed. The best is to visit during sunny day and 50 feet below with no current guaranties best visibility. Great for experienced and beginner divers
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
@JT3AZ
Phoenix, Arizona4,938 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
The best thing about the SS Benwood wreck is the history and realizing how close to the U.S. mainland people were worried about German U-Boats. The SS Benwoods was a 360 foot long ship (although the site is not nearly that big as I recall). It sank in 25 - 45 feet of water as the captain was trying to ground her after hitting another ship offshore. There are lots of rib hull structure remaining and some decking (no penetration diving) - the fish and sea life has really taken to the Benwood so it is a nice spot for photos, especially being so shallow. This site is a great dive site for newer divers since it is a very relaxed dive. Those with a lot of experience will probably be bored.
Written July 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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