The Hog Heaven wreck was intentionally sunk in 1986 as part of an artificial reef program, flipped upside down during deployment, and has since become a thriving habitat for diverse marine life. Its unique orientation and surrounding structures make it a popular and interesting dive site off the coast of Fort Lauderdale.

Article at a Glance

• Location: Off Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida (26° 08.102′ N, 80° 04.786′ W)
• Type: 180-foot barge intentionally sunk in 1986 as part of an artificial reef program
• Depth: 64 feet (19.5 meters)• Orientation: Upside down, creating unique diving experience
• Marine Life: Abundant, including large groupers, hogfish, porcupinefish, and various coral species
• Dive Difficulty: Suitable for both beginner and experienced divers
• Notable Features: Heavily encrusted with coral growth, offers penetration opportunities for properly trained divers

Hog Heaven Wreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The wreck is a 180-foot barge that was intentionally sunk in 1986 as part of Broward County’s artificial reef program. It lies upside down in approximately 64 feet of water

Location Coordinates

The Hog Heaven wreck is located off Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, and the coordinates are:

• Latitude: 26° 08.102′ N
• Longitude: 80° 04.786′ W

What to Scuba Divers Say About This Wreck

Wreck Condition and Penetration
The Hog Heaven wreck is a 180-foot barge that lies upside down in about 64 feet of water. Over the 30+ years since it was intentionally sunk, the wreck has become heavily encrusted with coral growth, but the structure has also corroded significantly. Experienced wreck divers can penetrate parts of the wreck, but the fragile and dangerous condition of the metal frames means divers need proper training to do so safely. Novice divers should exercise caution around the wreck.

Marine Life
The wreck is teeming with marine life, including large groupers, hogfish, porcupinefish, flamingo tongues, and lobsters. Divers report seeing a friendly, “grumpy-looking” grouper that came to investigate them. The wreck has become an artificial reef that supports a diverse ecosystem.

Dive Experience
The Hog Heaven wreck is considered a good site for both beginner and experienced divers. Beginner divers can explore the exterior of the wreck, while more advanced divers can penetrate parts of the interior. The site is also known for a nearby shallow reef called “The Caves” that is suitable for newer divers.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Wreck

1. Christmas Tree Worms: These colorful worms are commonly found on the wreck, adding to its vibrant appearance.
2. Yellow Grunts: Schools of yellow grunts are frequently spotted swimming around the wreck.
3. Goliath Groupers: These large groupers are known to inhabit the wreck, often interacting with divers.
4. Porcupinefish: These unique fish are commonly seen on the wreck, along with other species like flamingo tongues.
5. Moray Eels: Both purplemouth moray eels and other species of morays can be found hiding in crevices and holes on the wreck.
6. Lobsters: These crustaceans are often spotted hiding in the wreck’s structure.
7. Hogfish: Large hogfish have been seen swimming around the wreck, adding to the site’s biodiversity.
8. Jacks: Some divers have reported seeing jacks swimming near the wreck.

Key Information

What Makes Hog Heaven a Unique Diving Experience

Upside-Down Barge
Hog Heaven is a 180-foot barge that was intentionally sunk in 1986, but flipped upside down during the deployment process. This unusual orientation provides an interesting perspective for divers exploring the wreck.

Artificial Reef
Over the 30+ years since it was sunk, the upside-down barge has become heavily encrusted with coral growth, transforming it into a vibrant artificial reef. The wreck now supports a diverse ecosystem of marine life.

Abundant Marine Life
Divers report seeing a wide variety of marine species on the Hog Heaven wreck, including large groupers, hogfish, porcupinefish, flamingo tongues, moray eels, lobsters, and schools of yellow grunts. The wreck has become a thriving habitat for many species.

Accessibility
The Hog Heaven wreck lies in relatively shallow water between 55-72 feet deep, making it accessible to divers of all levels. Its proximity to Fort Lauderdale Beach also makes it a convenient dive site.

Wreck Penetration
While the wreck’s condition limits penetration for safety reasons, experienced wreck divers can explore parts of the interior, adding to the sense of adventure.

What is The Full History of This Wreck

Sinking and DeploymentThe Hog Heaven wreck is a 180-foot barge that was intentionally sunk on September 19, 1986, as part of Broward County’s Artificial Reef Program. During the deployment process, the barge flipped upside down, which has made it a more interesting dive site.

Artificial Reef ProgramThe sinking of the Hog Heaven barge was part of a larger effort to create artificial reefs off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. The program aimed to enhance marine life and provide a habitat for various species. Over the years, the wreck has become heavily encrusted with coral and supports a diverse ecosystem.

Name and SignificanceThe wreck was named Hog Heaven due to its ability to attract hogfish, a prized species among spearfishermen. The site has become a popular dive spot, known for its unique upside-down orientation and the abundance of marine life.

Surrounding StructuresThe Hog Heaven wreck is part of a larger artificial reef system. Nearby structures include the Pacific Reef Lighthouse, which was sunk in January 1986, and another barge called The Wayne, which lies 200 feet north of the lighthouse. These structures, along with bridge beams, airplane wings, mine carts, and construction piping, create a diverse and interesting dive site.

Dive ExperienceThe Hog Heaven wreck is accessible to divers of all levels, with a depth ranging from 55 to 72 feet. The site offers various penetration points for experienced wreck divers, but caution is advised due to the fragile and corroded structure. The surrounding marine life includes Christmas tree worms, yellow grunts, goliath groupers, porcupinefish, flamingo tongues, moray eels, lobsters, and more.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on Wreck

1. The 180-foot barge itself, which was intentionally sunk in 1986 as part of Broward County’s Artificial Reef Program. The barge flipped upside down during the sinking process, creating a unique orientation for divers to explore.
2. The Pacific Reef Lighthouse, which was sunk just north of the Hog Heaven wreck in January 1986. The coral and sponge-encrusted beams of the lighthouse still stand, earning it the nickname “Jungle Gym” from local dive operators. It serves as a beacon for reef fish like snapper, spotted goatfish, grunts, nurse sharks, and goliath groupers.
3. The Wayne, a 70-foot barge located 200 feet north of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse. This additional wreck offers swim-throughs and a habitat for marine life, including sleepy nurse sharks.
4. Other artificial reef structures scattered around Hog Heaven, including bridge beams, airplane wings, mine carts, and construction piping. These man-made features have become part of the diverse ecosystem over the decades since being deployed.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting Hog Heaven

1. Minimum Certification Level: Open water certified divers can visit the site, but should exercise caution due to the fragile and dangerous condition of the wreck. Proper training is required to safely penetrate the interior.
2. Depth: The wreck lies between 55-72 feet deep, which is within recreational diving limits but still requires caution. Divers need to monitor their depth and bottom time.
3. Sharp Edges: The corroded metal frames of the upside-down barge have sharp edges that pose a risk of cuts and lacerations. Divers need to be aware of their surroundings and avoid contact with the wreck.
4. Fragile Structure: After over 30 years underwater, the structure of the wreck has become very fragile. Divers should not attempt to penetrate areas that look unstable or unsafe. Buoyancy control is critical to avoid damaging the wreck.
5. Boat Traffic: Divers need to be aware of pleasure boats in the area and use safety sausages and other visual markers to indicate their presence in the water.
6. Buddy System: Diving with a buddy or in a group is recommended for safety, especially at a site with potential hazards like Hog Heaven.
7. Proper Equipment: Divers should use appropriate exposure protection, lights, and other gear for the depth and conditions. A dive light is useful for exploring the wreck.

Dive Shops That Prove Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. American Dream Dive Charters: This dive charter operates a 46-foot Newton dive boat and takes divers to the Hog Heaven wreck. They are known for their professional and knowledgeable crew, as well as accommodating divers of all skill levels.
2. Sea Experience: This full-service dive shop is located in the Bahia Mar Marina on Fort Lauderdale Beach. They use a twin-engine catamaran to transport divers to the Hog Heaven wreck and other top dive sites in the area.
3. Aquatic Ventures: This dive shop organizes specific Hog Heaven wreck dive trips, including a night dive and a Sunday dive. They provide all the necessary details like departure times, pricing, and what divers should bring.
4. Dixie Divers: While not explicitly mentioned as visiting the Hog Heaven wreck, this highly-rated dive shop in Deerfield Beach likely offers trips to this popular Fort Lauderdale dive site as part of their regular dive charter offerings.
5. Gold Coast Scuba: Located in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, this dive shop is well-positioned to take divers to the Hog Heaven wreck, though the search results do not directly confirm they offer trips there.

Central Florida Wrecks

• SS Breconshire
• Georges Valentine
• Hog Heaven
• Urca De Lima
• USS Rankin
• Ana Cecilia
• United Caribbean
• USS Mindanao
• The Laertes