Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs · United States · Artificial reef
Rube Allyn Reef
A barge loaded with 600 tons of the Old Clearwater Pass Bridge
Rube Allyn Reef is a deep artificial reef in the Gulf, built from many tall pyramid structures and an 11 m (35 ft) barge. The barge is made of 600 tons of concrete from the demolished Old Clearwater Pass Bridge, plus culverts and light poles. The pyramid known as Twin Peaks sits at about 24 m (80 ft), making it a dive for experienced divers.
Where it is and how deep
27.9323° N, 83.0236° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The reef is made up of many tall concrete pyramid structures standing on the Gulf floor. The best known of them is Twin Peaks, at about 24 m (80 ft), and the depth there sets the limits of the dive: on air, bottom time at 24 m is short, so the plan is a direct visit to the pyramids before working shallower.
Also on the site is an 11 m (35 ft) barge that was previously used in the reef program. It is made of 600 tons of concrete from the demolition of the Old Clearwater Pass Bridge, along with culverts and light poles, so a visit to the barge is also a look at sections of the old Clearwater Pass Bridge now lying on the Gulf floor.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs: No month stands out. The water is coolest in January at about 18 °C and warmest in August at about 30 °C; June-September is the wet season.
Know before you go
- Twin Peaks lies at about 24 m (80 ft), so no-stop time is short; plan the dive and gas for that depth.
Dive videos
Diving the Rube Allyn November 2, 2016 · Jim's Dive Shop on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Rube Allyn Reef?+
The Twin Peaks pyramid sits at about 24 m (80 ft), which makes it a dive for Advanced Open Water or deep-trained divers.
What is the barge at Rube Allyn Reef made of?+
The 11 m (35 ft) barge holds 600 tons of concrete from the demolished Old Clearwater Pass Bridge, plus culverts and light poles.
Sources
- Rube Allyn Reef — Scubago
More dive sites in Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs
Artificial reef
An intact 23 m barge, also known as Mecco’s Barge
Artificial reef
Twelve concrete service members standing in a ring at 12 m
Artificial reef
Culverts and pilings at one end, holed concrete pyramids at the other
Wreck
Goliath grouper and eagle rays around an upright, intact tug
Wreck
A 1903 steel harbour tug sitting upright in 14 m
Artificial reef
Usually at least one goliath grouper, hiding in the sunken barges
Similar dives elsewhere
Artificial reef
Boxcar Reef
Fort Myers & Sanibel · United States
Train boxcars sunk as a reef in 22 m off Boca Grande
A boat-dived wreck at Ile Biquette with gentle current
Artificial reef
Ingraham Street Bridge
San Diego · United States
A demolished city bridge turned into reef, with eels and octopus
A storm-felled research tower, a maze without a true overhead