How deep is The Black Bart?

The Black Bart has a depth range of up to 24.1 metres (79 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive The Black Bart?

The Black Bart is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Advanced Open Water recommended (18-30 m / 60-100 ft) certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at The Black Bart?

Divers at The Black Bart in United States commonly report sightings of Felimare picta, Epinephelus itajara, Ogcocephalus pantostictus, and Opsanus pardus. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

IntermediateBoat entry

The Black Bart

Q: When is the best time to dive The Black Bart?

The best time to dive The Black Bart is typically May through October offers the calmest seas and clearest water in the northern Gulf; spring water is often murky. Visibility typically 20-60 ft, best in summer.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

Florida, United States

AOW suggestedOffshore Gulf artificial-reef site24 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Black Bart at a glance

The Black Bart is a intermediate boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of up to 24.1 m (79 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Felimare picta, Epinephelus itajara, and Ogcocephalus pantostictus. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (86°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 5h ago

0.5 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C

Site hazards: Offshore Gulf artificial-reef site

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Tue

Sun6:00–20:00

Mon6:00–20:00

Tue7:00–20:00

Wed7:00–20:00

Thu7:00–20:00

Fri7:00–20:00

Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:32 · Sunrise 5:58 · Sunset 19:40

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 7.8 km from site · graded 5h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Best time: May through October offers the calmest seas and clearest water in the northern Gulf; spring water is often murky. Visibility typically 20-60 ft, best in summer.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan51%19°C1.3 m
Feb66%19°C1.1 m
Mar67%20°C1.2 m
Apr68%22°C1.1 m
May91%25°C0.8 m
Jun87%28°C0.9 m
Jul99%30°C0.7 m
Aug94%31°C0.7 m
Sep88%29°C0.7 m
Oct72%27°C0.9 m
Nov71%24°C1.0 m
Dec63%20°C1.1 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Felimare picta recorded here May (3 records)
most recent 2015
Tremoctopus gelatus recorded here May (2 records)
most recent 2014
Arbacia punctulata recorded here Mar (1 record)
most recent 2000
Epinephelus itajara recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2015
Ogcocephalus pantostictus recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2015
Opsanus pardus recorded here May (1 record)
most recent 2015
Pomacanthus arcuatus recorded here Mar (1 record)
most recent 2000

Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Big Willy's Surf & Swim13.4 km
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Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

Artificial reef built from 180' Oil Rig Supply Ship, the "Black Bart"

reefwreck

Offshore Gulf artificial-reef site — heavy boat and fishing traffic (carry SMB and signaling devices); monofilament line on structure is a common entanglement risk (cutting tool advised); currents magnified around large structures; razor-sharp barnacles and stinging hydroids on structure (gloves and full exposure protection); low-relief sites can be easy to miss and structures may shift or bury after hurricanes; strong summer thermocline can drop temperatures sharply at depth.

Reviews

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