Fort Myers & Sanibel · United States · Artificial reef
Edison Reef
Rubble from the old Edison Bridge, sunk in 1993
An artificial reef built in 1993 from the rubble of the old Edison Bridge, 19 km (12 miles) off the coast of Sanibel Island. It lies in 12 to 14 m (40 to 45 feet) of water and is rated an ideal dive for all levels of experience, which makes it the area's site for newer divers.
Where it is and how deep
26.3018° N, 82.2251° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Edison Reef lies 19 km (12 miles) off the coast of Sanibel Island, a shorter run than the deep wrecks further offshore. The bridge rubble sits on the bottom in 12 to 14 m (40 to 45 feet) of water, so the descent is a short one and the whole dive stays within Open Water limits.
The reef is made of rubble from the old Edison Bridge, placed here in 1993 to create an artificial reef. The large amount of rubble has created a wide expanse of habitat, with sightings that run from snook to sailfish, and the modest depth gives a longer bottom time than the offshore wrecks.
Background
In 1993, rubble from the old Edison Bridge was used to create an artificial reef 19 km (12 miles) off the coast of Sanibel Island. The rubble was sunk in 12 m (40 feet) of water, and the reef is dived today in 12 to 14 m (40 to 45 feet), a shallow site that suits divers of all levels of experience alongside the deep offshore wrecks.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Fort Myers & Sanibel: Diving runs all year; no month stands out. January has the coolest water, near 19 C, and the summer peak reaches about 30 C.
Dive videos
Edison Reef · True Children Of The Tides on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Edison Reef off Sanibel?+
Edison Reef lies in 12 to 14 m (40 to 45 feet) of water, 19 km (12 miles) off the coast of Sanibel Island.
Is Edison Reef suitable for beginners?+
Yes. The reef is an ideal dive for all levels of experience, and its shallow depth keeps it within Open Water limits.
Sources
- Dive Charters - Island Coast Excursions — Island Coast Excursions
- Fort Myers diving - GoodDive.com — GoodDive
- FWC Artificial Reef Locations in Florida (deployment records) — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
More dive sites in Fort Myers & Sanibel
Wreck
A 1919 hurricane wreck home to a large population of goliath grouper
Artificial reef
Train boxcars sunk as a reef in 22 m off Boca Grande
Wreck
A 1927 New York Harbor tug lying close to the Mohawk
Wreck
A refugee boat from Cuba, sunk off Naples in 1997
Wreck
The first veterans memorial military ship reef in the United States
Similar dives elsewhere
Artificial reef
Betty Rose
Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs · United States
An intact 23 m barge, also known as Mecco’s Barge
Artificial reef
Circle of Heroes
Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs · United States
Twelve concrete service members standing in a ring at 12 m
A boulder breakwater at the Newport Bay entrance, best at dawn
Artificial reef
Dunedin Reef
Clearwater, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs · United States
Culverts and pilings at one end, holed concrete pyramids at the other