The breathtakingly enormous Spiegel Grove — nearly two football fields long — is the “grande dame” of Key Largo wrecks. As you descend on the 510-foot Grove, you get a dreamlike view of a wreck that appears to be cruising in the deep blue ocean depths, and in that moment, you know this will be a special dive.

If you’ve come to Key Largo to dive, you’ve come to the right place. The beauty of this dive destination is its easy access to island living and 70 underwater sites. As the dive capital of the world, Key Largo has an abundance of colorful reefs and is a wreck mecca for divers of all levels.

But it’s the Spiegel Grove — a former Landing Ship Dock — that anchors Key Largo’s reputation as a wreck lover’s paradise and captures divers’ imaginations. She’s an Everest of sorts — not a wreck whose entirety can be experienced all at once. Instead, navigate a section per dive, starting with the top deck. Toward the stern, midnight parrotfish patrol the former helicopter landing pad, gun turrets and two crane arms. Take your time, then fin back to the wheelhouse, shrouded by schooling fish. You’ll gain just enough of an understanding of Spiegel Grove’s layout to plan dive two — perhaps the first of many return visits.

Sunk in June 2002, the Grove’s original battleship-gray paint job has given way to a furry coat of corals and marine-life growth. Barracuda, horse-eye jacks and silversides make her their home base.

Offshore, Key Largo has quick access to shallow, beginner-friendly reefs and wrecks like S.S. Benwood. It’s also home to the nation’s first underwater state park, John Pennekamp State Park, as well as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary where you can snorkel alongside the Christ of the Deep statue.

The U.S.S. Spiegel Grove is one of 12 wrecks in the Wreck Trek program. Click here for more details on how to become a Florida Keys Wreck Treker. Browse our list of dive operators below to book your next trip.

SPIEGEL GROVE DIVE OPERATORS Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Center 104250 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-3595 Blue Water Divers MM 100, @ Holiday Inn Marina 99701 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-453-9600 Conch Republic Divers 90800 Overseas Hwy Tavernier, FL 33070 Ph. 800-274-DIVE Divers Direct 99621 Overseas Highway Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-0118 EcoKeys Adventures in Conservation Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 877-99-GO-ECO Emocean Sports at Marriott Key Largo resort 103800 Overseas Hwy MM 103.8 Key Largo, FL Ph. 305-453-9881 Florida Keys Dive Center MM 90.5 Overseas Hwy Islamorada, FL 33037 Ph. 305-852-4599 / Toll Free 800-433-8946 HMS Minnow Dive Charters MM100, at Holiday Inn Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-783 Horizon Divers 105800 Overseas Hwy MM 106 Bayside Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-453-3535 / Toll Free 800-984-3484 Island Ventures 51 Shoreland Drive Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-4957 Keys Diver & Snorkel Center 99696 Overseas Hwy, Unit 1 Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-1177 Ocean Divers 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-1113 Quiescence Diving 103680 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-2440 Rainbow Reef Dive Center 100800 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-7171 Sail Fish Scuba 103100 Overseas Hwy, Suite 33 Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-453-3446 Sea Dwellers Diver Center of Key Largo MM100 Overseas Hwy Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-3640 / Toll Free 800-451-3640 Scuba Fun Dive Center 99222 Overseas Hwy MM 99.2 Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-394-5046 Silent World Dive Center 47 Garden Cove Dr. MM 106 Oceanside Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph. 305-451-3252 OTHER PREFERRED FLORIDA KEYS DIVE OPERATOR Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort, Key Largo Waterfront rooms, pool, beach, scuba/snorkel instru. & boat charters. 3nts/2dive pkg from $345 ppdo. 305-451-3595 or 800-426-6729 amoray.com Dive Key West, Inc. Keys’ Premiere Dive Center. Our 45th Year. Dive “The Vandenberg”! Custom dive & lodging packages 800-426-0707 or 305-296-3823 divekeywest.com Marina Del Mar Resort & Marina, Key Largo Pet friendly rooms & suites on deep-water marina. Free light continental breakfast. 800-451-3483 or 305-451-4107 marinadelmarkeylargo.com Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo Oversized rooms and suites on the largest deep-water marina in Key Largo. 855-335-1066 or 305-451-3939 marriott.com/mthcy History of Diving Museum, Islamorada Explore over 4,000 years of man’s quest to explore under the sea! 305-664-9737 divingmuseum.org Horizon Divers, Key Largo Daily dive & snorkel trips out to the reefs and wrecks of the Upper Florida Keys. 800-984-3483 or 305-453-3535 horizondivers.com Hall’s Diving Center & Career Institute, Marathon Beautiful Wreck & Reef diving. Lessons for starters and Career Training for professionals. Great fun at Hall’s. Come see us. 800-331-4255 or 305-743-5929 hallsdiving.com Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina at Holiday Isle, Islamorada A newly refreshed, 143 room resort offering the nostalgic beach vacation feel. 800-667-2510 or 305-664-2321 holidayisle.com Amara Cay Resort, Islamorada Craft your own adventure at our newly renovated, oceanfront, 110 room resort. 800-523-0613 or 305-664-0073 amaracayresort.com Key Largo Cottages @ Key Lime Sailing Club FREE kayaks, bicycles, sailing, fishing, snorkel, sunset sail w/cottage $175 NT. 305-451-3438 keylimesailingclub.com Ocean Pointe Suites, Islamorada Come explore North America’s only living coral reef at our all-suite resort. 800-882-9464 or 305-853-3000 opsuites.com Holiday Inn Key Largo Located next to deep-water marina. Spacious guest rooms. Restaurant on-site. 866-733-8554 or 305-451-2121 holidayinn.com/keylargofl