On the Sunday following the nation's 250th Anniversary, ten divers joined Parrot Island Scuba for an outing that began at the Ancient Mariner wreck and continued with a gentle drift along Turtle Ledge. The day delivered ideal conditions—blue skies, smooth seas, and no hint of rain. Beneath the surface, the water was just as inviting although a little darker than expected.
Dive 1 - Ancient Mariner
This weekend's dive on the Ancient Mariner off Pompano Beach delivered picture-perfect conditions with an incredible 50 feet of visibility and almost no current—making for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Originally launched in 1934 as the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Nemesis, the ship later became the famous Ancient Mariner floating restaurant before being intentionally sunk in 1991 to create one of South Florida's most popular artificial reefs.
Today, the wreck is bursting with marine life. Schools of fish surrounded the hull while shimmering baitfish filled the ship's interior, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene. Stealing the show were two massive Goliath groupers inside the bow, reminding everyone why the Ancient Mariner remains a favorite destination for local divers.
Photos by Rudy Lopez and Sheila Schafly
Dive 2 - Turtle Ledge
After the Ancient Mariner, we splashed back in for our "drift" dive, gliding beneath a thick blanket of sargassum that gave the reef an almost mysterious, night-dive feel. The highlight came early as we encountered a massive loggerhead turtle who did not seem to want any part of its group of admiring divers. The reef was alive with activity as schools of fish packed beneath the ledges and green moray eels peeked from their rocky hideouts. To top it all off, several divers helped remove discarded fishing line from the reef, and one lucky diver even surfaced with an almost brand-new fishing rod—a little bonus treasure from an already fantastic dive day!
Photos by Rudy Lopez and Sheila Schafly