Divers appreciate the North Pipe for its vibrant marine life, good visibility, and professional dive operations, making it a popular choice for underwater exploration in Miami.

Article at a Glance

• Location: Situated in North Miami Beach, the North Pipe is an accessible dive site known for its vibrant underwater ecosystem.
• Depth: The dive site is approximately 28 feet deep, making it suitable for divers of all skill levels, including beginners.
• Marine Life: Divers can expect to see diverse marine species, including giant green morays, lobsters, and various tropical fish.
• Visibility: Typically exceeds 75 feet, although it can vary based on weather conditions and tides.
• Best Diving Season: Ideal diving conditions are generally found from late spring to early fall, particularly during high tide.
• Nearby Attractions: The site is close to several wrecks and other dive sites, allowing for extended exploration opportunities.
• Guided Dives: Local dive shops offer guided dives, enhancing safety and providing valuable insights for divers of all experience levels.

North Pipe Miami

The North Pipe is a fascinating dive site located in North Miami Beach, offering an intriguing underwater experience for divers. This dive site features a large concrete pipe that runs approximately 75 feet on top of sand and patch reef.

Key Characteristics:

• Location: North Miami Beach
• Depth: 28 feet
• Notable Marine Life:
  • Giant green morays
  • Lobsters
  • Occasional guitar fish

The site is part of a larger dive area that includes several nearby wrecks, such as the Matthew Lawrence, Larsen Barge, Miss Karlene, Patricia, and John Koppin Barge. Divers can expect a diverse marine ecosystem with interesting underwater structures and marine inhabitants.

Marine Highlights:
Divers can look forward to encountering giant green morays and lobsters, which are almost always present at this site. The unique concrete pipe and surrounding patch reef provide an excellent habitat for marine life, making it an engaging dive location for underwater exploration.

What Marine Life Can I Expect To See?

Common Marine Life

• Moray Eels: Giant green morays are frequently spotted, making them one of the most common sightings at this dive site.
• Lobsters: Often found hiding in crevices, lobsters are abundant in the area.
• Guitar Fish: While not as common, guitar fish have been observed recently, adding to the diversity of species you might encounter.

Additional Species

• Tropical Fish: A wide variety of tropical fish inhabit the area, including schools of snapper and grouper.
• Nurse Sharks: These harmless sharks can often be seen resting on the ocean floor or among the structures.
• Stingrays: Commonly found gliding along the sandy bottom, stingrays are another exciting sight for divers.

Unique Features

The North Pipe itself is an artificial reef created from a large concrete pipe that provides shelter and habitat for numerous marine species. The surrounding patch reefs and sandy areas contribute to a thriving ecosystem where nutrients circulate freely, supporting diverse marine life.

What Do Divers Say About This Site?

Overall Experience

• Marine Life: Many divers appreciate the abundant marine life, particularly the presence of giant green morays and lobsters, which are frequently spotted. The variety of tropical fish and other species also adds to the excitement of the dive.
• Visibility and Conditions: Divers often note that the visibility is good, typically better than 75 feet, which enhances the overall diving experience. The water temperatures range from 70°F to 85°F, making it comfortable year-round.

Dive Operations

• Guided Dives: Reviews emphasize the professionalism of dive operators in the area, with many divers feeling safe and well-cared-for during their excursions. Operators are praised for their thoroughness in accounting for divers and managing safety protocols.
• Equipment Quality: Some divers have had mixed experiences with equipment rentals, noting instances of faulty gear. However, many recommend specific dive shops for their excellent service and quality equipment.

Unique Features

• Artificial Reef Structure: The North Pipe itself is recognized as an interesting artificial reef, providing a unique habitat for marine life. Divers enjoy navigating through the pipe and exploring its interior, which is often filled with gorgonians and other marine growth.

Recommendations

• Divers recommend this site for both beginners and experienced divers due to its accessible depth (around 28 feet) and the exciting marine environment. Many suggest it as a must-visit location for those diving in the Miami area.

Key Information

Highlights of Diving This Site?

Unique Structure

• Artificial Reef: The North Pipe is a large concrete pipe that runs approximately 75 feet long, situated over a sandy patch reef at a depth of about 28 feet. This structure serves as an artificial reef, attracting diverse marine life due to its unique habitat.

Abundant Marine Life

• Common Sightings: Divers frequently encounter giant green morays and lobsters, which are prevalent in the area. The site is also known for occasional sightings of guitar fish, adding to the excitement of the dive.
• Diverse Ecosystem: The surrounding reef supports a variety of tropical fish species, making it an engaging environment for underwater exploration.

Visibility and Conditions

• Excellent Visibility: Divers often report visibility exceeding 75 feet, which enhances the experience by allowing clear views of marine life and the underwater landscape.
• Comfortable Temperatures: Water temperatures typically range from 70°F to 85°F, providing a pleasant diving experience throughout the year.

Accessibility

• Suitable for All Levels: The site is accessible to open water divers, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced divers looking to explore an interesting underwater environment.

Additional Features

• Nearby Wrecks: The North Pipe is located close to several wrecks, including the Matthew Lawrence and Larsen Barge, providing opportunities for multi-site dives in one trip.

Iconic Spots At This Site

The North Pipe

• Description: A large concrete pipe measuring about 75 feet, situated over sand and patch reef at a depth of approximately 28 feet.
• Marine Life: Known for sightings of giant green morays, lobsters, and occasionally guitar fish, making it a vibrant spot for divers.

Nearby Wrecks

• The North Pipe is in close proximity to several notable wrecks:
  • Matthew Lawrence
  • Larsen Barge
  • Miss Karlene
  • Patricia
  • John Koppin Barge

Artificial Reef Features

• The North Pipe serves as an artificial reef, contributing to the area’s biodiversity by providing habitat for various marine species.

Accessibility and Conditions

• The site is easily accessible for divers of all levels, with comfortable water temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F and visibility often exceeding 75 feet.

Scenic Underwater Landscape

• The combination of the concrete pipe and surrounding natural features creates a visually interesting dive environment, making it appealing for underwater photography and exploration.

Environmental Conservation Efforts at North Pipe

Artificial Reef Program: The North Pipe is part of Miami’s artificial reef program, which aims to create habitats for marine life and enhance biodiversity. This program has led to the creation of over 75 dive-worthy wrecks and artificial reefs in the area.

Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve: The waters around Miami, including the North Pipe area, are part of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve. This designation aims to preserve and enhance the bay’s natural condition, protecting its biological and aesthetic values.

Water Quality Monitoring: There are ongoing efforts to monitor and improve water quality in Miami’s coastal areas, including initiatives to address issues related to sewage and stormwater runoff.

Marine Life Protection: The artificial reefs, including structures like the North Pipe, provide habitats for various marine species, contributing to the conservation of local ecosystems.

Maximizing Your Diving Experience at North Pipe

Preparation

• Plan your dive thoroughly, discussing objectives and route with your buddy.
• Check conditions such as currents, visibility, and water temperature before diving.
• Bring essential items like a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Equipment

• Ensure your gear is properly set up and functioning before entering the water.
• Consider using a dive light to enhance visibility and observe marine life in crevices.
• Carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) for safety, especially in areas with boat traffic.

Underwater Navigation

• Use natural navigation techniques:
  • Pay attention to depth changes, as they indicate distance from shore.
  • Note the direction of sunlight and shadows cast by underwater features.
• For precise navigation, use a compass and practice setting courses.

Diving Techniques

• Move slowly and deliberately to avoid stirring up sediment and maintain visibility.
• Stay close to your buddy, using physical contact or agreed-upon signals in low visibility.
• Ascend slowly and perform a safety stop at 5 meters (15 feet) for three minutes.

Marine Life Observation

• Take time to observe the abundant marine life, including giant green morays and lobsters.
• Explore the unique concrete pipe structure, which serves as an artificial reef.
• Look for smaller creatures like nudibranchs and crustaceans in and around the pipe.

Safety

• Always dive within your limits and be prepared to abort the dive if conditions are challenging.
• Review emergency procedures with your buddy before the dive.
• Maintain a calm demeanor, especially if visibility is poor.

Capturing Memories at North Pipe: Photography Tips

Preparation

• Know Your Gear: Familiarize yourself with your camera settings and underwater housing before diving. Practice taking photos topside to understand how your equipment functions.
• Check Lighting Conditions: The best time for underwater photography is when the sun is directly overhead or behind you, as this enhances visibility and color saturation.

Photography Techniques

• Get Close: Aim to get within 12 inches of your subject. Water reduces color and sharpness, so proximity is key to capturing vibrant images12.
• Use Flash Wisely: When shooting within 3-4 feet of your subject, turn on your flash to bring back colors lost underwater. For subjects further away, avoid using flash to prevent blue-tinted photos.
• Manual White Balance: Adjust your camera’s white balance settings according to the depth and lighting conditions. Use auto white balance with flash and manual white balance when shooting without it.

Composition Tips

• Shoot at Eye Level: Position yourself at the subject’s eye level for more engaging shots. This perspective often results in more compelling images.
• Avoid Centering Your Subject: Use the rule of thirds to create dynamic compositions. Place your subject off-center for a more balanced look5.
• Capture Movement: Be patient and wait for subjects to face you rather than chasing them, which can lead to unflattering “butt shots”.

Lighting and Exposure

• Use Natural Light: If you’re not using a flash, shoot in shallow water (20 feet or less) with the sun behind you to maximize natural light.
• Experiment with Strobes: If you have strobes, position them away from the camera to reduce backscatter from particles in the water. This helps illuminate your subject without creating bright spots.

Post-Dive Considerations

• Review Your Shots: After diving, check your images for sharpness and exposure. Adjust settings for future dives based on what worked and what didn’t.
• Editing: Utilize photo editing software to enhance contrast and color saturation if needed, especially if conditions were challenging during the dive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Miami Dive Sites

•  Neptune Memorial Reef
• Army Tanks (two M60 tanks)
• FPL Exhaust Stacks
• Rickenbacker Fishing Pier
• Rock Pile
• The North Pipe
• Stargazer Reef
• Buoy Reef 1, 2, and 3
• Rocky Reef 1 and 2
• Bache Shoal 1, 2, and 3
• Triumph Reef
• Bowles Bank
• POM Mitigation Reef B