Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs · United States · Wreck · Artificial reef
Sheridan
Goliath grouper and eagle rays around an upright, intact tug
The Sheridan is a 55 m (180 ft) tugboat sunk off Clearwater under the Pinellas II Artificial Reef Program. It sits fully upright and intact at 22-24 m (71-80 ft) and is home to many goliath grouper, with eagle rays, amberjack and nudibranchs. Divers need Deep or Advanced Open Water certification.
Where it is and how deep
27.8800° N, 83.1855° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The Sheridan sits fully upright and intact on the bottom, with the dive running between 22 and 24 m (71-80 ft). The tug is 55 m (180 ft) long, a big hull for a single dive at this depth, where no-stop time on air is short. Divers need Deep or Advanced Open Water certification or higher to make the dive, and the depth sets the pace of the visit.
Goliath grouper are the residents here, and there are many of them around the hull. Eagle rays, amberjack and nudibranchs are also found on the wreck. The tug has many swim-throughs, and these are only advised for trained wreck divers; everyone else stays on the outside of the hull before returning to the line and ascending.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Sheridan
- Type
- Tugboat
- Length
- 55 m (180 ft)
- Cause
- Sunk off Clearwater as part of the Pinellas II Artificial Reef Program
- Lies
- Fully upright and intact at 22-24 m (71-80 ft)
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Eagle rays
- Trevally & jacks
- Nudibranchs
| 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
- The swim-throughs are only for trained wreck divers; others stay outside the hull.
- The dive runs to 24 m (80 ft), which needs Deep or Advanced Open Water training and careful watch on no-stop time.
Dive videos
Florida Wreck Diving - Sheridan Tug - July 10 2010 · divetanksalot on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Sheridan wreck off Clearwater?+
The Sheridan sits upright and intact at a depth between 22 and 24 m (71-80 ft).
What certification is needed to dive the Sheridan?+
All divers must hold Deep or Advanced Open Water certification or higher. The swim-throughs are only advised for trained wreck divers.
Sources
- 3-Tank Sheridan — 2 Shea Charters
- Tanks-A-Lot — 2 Shea Charters
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