The broken reef with its cliff-like structures provides excellent cover for marine life, creating a rich underwater environment for divers to explore. 

Article at a Glance

• Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, known for its vibrant marine life and unique underwater features.
• Depth: Dive depths range from 45 to 60 feet, with a maximum depth of up to 70 feet.
• Skill Level: Suitable for Open Water Divers; guided dives are available for beginners.
• Visibility: Excellent visibility, often reaching up to 100 feet, especially during the summer months.
• Marine Life: Home to diverse species including large groupers, lobsters, and various reef fish amidst beautiful coral formations.
• Unique Features: Notable for its east-west running ledges, sandbag dam, and artificial structures that enhance marine habitats.
• Best Time to Dive: Ideal diving conditions are from May to September, with peak lobster activity from August to March.

Pompano Trench Pompano Beach

The Pompano Trench was created in the 1950s when the Army Corps of Engineers dug a trench through the reef to bury an outfall pipe. This unique formation features:

• East-west running ledges, the only ones in Broward County
• Sand bags inside the trench forming a dam
• Artificial structures near the dam
• Broken reef with cliffs providing cover for marine life
• Excellent scenery with coral, basket sponges, whips, and fans

Dive Navigation

The recommended dive plan is:

1. Start north or south of the trench, depending on the current
2. Drift into the trench
3. Head east or west for the best scenic route

What Marine Life Can I Expect To See?

• Large groupers along the outside edges of the trench
• Lobsters hiding in crevices, especially during lobster season
• Reef fish species
• Coral formations
• Marine creatures including:
  • Basket sponges
  • Whip corals
  • Fan corals

What Do Divers Say About This Site?

Positive Feedback:

• Many divers praise the scenic beauty of the trench, noting the excellent visibility and vibrant marine life, including coral formations, sponges, and various fish species. The broken reef structure provides a captivating underwater landscape.
• The dive operations, such as Pompano Dive Center, receive high marks for their organization and professionalism. Reviewers mention well-structured dive briefings, attentive dive masters, and a friendly atmosphere on board.
• Divers appreciate the diving conditions, often describing them as ideal for both novice and experienced divers. The trench is noted for its relatively easy navigation and opportunities for drift diving, which enhances the overall experience.

Constructive Criticism:

• Some divers have reported occasional issues, such as equipment malfunctions or crowded conditions on busy days. However, these instances are generally considered exceptions rather than the norm.
• A few reviews mention that while the dive sites are excellent, divers should be prepared for varying currents and depths, which can pose challenges depending on their experience level.

Key Information

Highlights of Diving This Site?

Unique Geological Features:

• The trench was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, resulting in east-west running ledges, which are unique in Broward County.
• Inside the trench, divers can find sandbags creating a dam, along with artificial structures that enhance the marine habitat.

Rich Marine Life:

• The area is teeming with marine life, including large groupers, lobsters, and a variety of reef fish. The broken reef structure provides excellent cover for these species.
• Divers can expect to see vibrant coral formations, including basket sponges, whip corals, and fan corals, contributing to the site’s scenic beauty.

Diving Conditions:

• The trench is known for its good visibility and relatively calm waters, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers. Drift diving is a popular method here, allowing divers to enjoy the scenery while being carried by the current.
• The site is particularly favored during lobster season, providing additional opportunities for lobster hunting.

Navigation Tips:

• Divers typically start on either the north or south side of the trench and drift into it, heading east or west for the best views. This navigation method allows for an enjoyable exploration of the underwater landscape.

Iconic Spots At This Site

Unique Geological Features:

• East-West Ledges: The trench is known for its rare east-west running ledges, which are the only ones of their kind in Broward County. This unique orientation provides diverse diving opportunities and habitats for marine life.

Sandbag Dam:

• Inside the trench, divers can find sandbags that create a dam, originally placed to prevent an outfall pipe from rising during storms. This structure adds an interesting element to the dive and serves as a habitat for various marine species.

3. Vibrant Marine Life:

• The area is rich in biodiversity, with opportunities to see large groupers, lobsters, and a variety of reef fish. The broken reef with cliffs offers excellent cover for marine life, making it a prime spot for underwater photography and exploration.

4. Artificial Structures:

• Near the dam, there are artificial structures that enhance the marine environment, attracting various species and providing divers with unique sights to explore.

5. Scenic Coral Formations:

• Divers can enjoy beautiful coral formations, including basket sponges, whip corals, and fan corals, contributing to the site’s scenic beauty and ecological diversity.

Environmental Conservation Efforts at Pompano Trench

Reef Protection: The Pompano Trench features a broken reef with coral formations, basket sponges, whips, and fans. Conservation efforts likely focus on preserving these delicate ecosystems by:

• Implementing dive site regulations to prevent damage from divers
• Educating divers about responsible reef interactions

Marine Life Conservation: The site is home to various species, including groupers and lobsters. Conservation measures may include:

• Enforcing fishing regulations and catch limits
• Monitoring populations of key species

Artificial Structures: The presence of artificial structures near the dam suggests potential efforts to enhance marine habitats and promote biodiversity.

Dive Site Management: Given the site’s popularity, especially during lobster season, there may be efforts to manage diver traffic and minimize environmental impact.

Water Quality Monitoring: As the trench was created for an outfall pipe, there might be ongoing water quality assessments to ensure the health of the marine ecosystem.

Maximizing Your Diving Experience at the Pompano Trench

Dive Planning

• Start your dive on either the north or south side of the trench, depending on the current.
• Drift into the trench and head east or west for the best scenic route.
• Plan your dive during lobster season for increased chances of spotting these crustaceans.

Unique Features to Explore

• Observe the east-west running ledges, which are unique to Broward County.
• Examine the sandbag dam inside the trench, created to prevent the outfall pipe from rising during storms.
• Investigate the artificial structures near the dam, which enhance marine habitats.

Marine Life Encounters

• Look for large groupers along the outside edges of the trench.
• Search for lobsters in crevices, especially during lobster season.
• Admire the diverse coral formations, including basket sponges, whip corals, and fan corals.

Navigation Tips

• Use the broken reef with cliffs as a reference point, as it provides good cover for marine life.
• Follow the eastern ledge for the best scenic tour if you’re at the nearby Pompano Drop Off.

Safety Considerations

• Be aware of your air consumption and bottom time, especially if you plan to explore multiple areas of the trench.
• Maintain proper buoyancy to avoid damaging the delicate coral formations.
• Stay alert for any changes in current, as they can affect your dive plan.

Capturing Memories at the Pompano Trench: Photography Tips

Understanding Light

• Know How Light Behaves: Underwater, colors fade as depth increases, with red disappearing first. Use a red filter if you’re shooting with a GoPro or adjust your camera’s white balance to compensate for color loss at depth.
• Shoot with the Sun Behind You: Position yourself so that the sun is at your back to avoid backscatter and ensure even lighting on your subjects. This technique helps maintain contrast and clarity in your images.

Camera Settings

• Familiarize Yourself with Your Camera: Understand your camera’s settings before diving. Practice using modes like aperture priority and auto ISO to adapt to changing light conditions underwater.
• Use Burst Mode for Action Shots: Activate burst mode to capture fast-moving subjects, such as fish or divers, ensuring you have multiple frames to choose from.

Composition Techniques

• Get Low and Close: Approach marine life slowly and shoot from a low angle to create depth in your photos. This perspective enhances the foreground and background, making images more dynamic.
• Focus on a Single Subject: Avoid clutter in your frame by isolating your main subject. This approach makes your photos more impactful and tells a clearer story.

Equipment Considerations

• Use External Lighting: If possible, invest in underwater strobes or video lights to illuminate your subjects effectively. Proper lighting can bring out colors that would otherwise be lost underwater.
• Consider Your Dive Skills: Ensure you are comfortable with basic diving techniques before adding a camera to your gear. Good buoyancy control is crucial for maintaining stability while shooting.

Post-Dive Editing

• Edit on the Spot: Familiarize yourself with editing tools available on your camera or smartphone. Adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance immediately after taking photos to refine your shots.
• Experiment with Filters Cautiously: While filters can enhance images, use them purposefully and ensure they align with the story you want to tell through your photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pompano Beach Dive Sites

• Pompano Trench
• Lost Ledge
• Suzzane’s Ledge
• Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge
• Steve’s Twin Ledges