Top 10 Ships in Florida, United States

August 27, 2021 Janette Largent

Not just for retirees and theme park enthusiasts, the Sunshine State offers beautiful beaches, pristine diving conditions, and sizzling nightlife. Salsa the night away in a smokin’ hot Miami club, or swing away at one of Kissimmee’s many premium golf courses. An airboat tour of the Everglades is an unforgettable adventure – just look out for alligators! For the risk-averse, a lazy day spent on the soft sands of an Emerald Coast beach is as rejuvenating as a spa treatment.
Restaurants in Florida

1. Spiegel Grove

Key Largo, FL http://www.rainbowreef.us
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 523 reviews

Spiegel Grove

Retired 510-foot naval ship intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef for underwater diving enthusiasts.

Reviewed By mickj345

Two dives with my daughter, totally awesome experience. If you dive, this is a must for your logbook.

2. Thunderbolt

Key Colony Beach, FL
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

A majestic shipwreck sitting at the bottom of the ocean floor. A perfect destination for scuba divers.

3. The Alexander Wreck

Key West, FL http://www.keywestdivecenter.com/alexander's-wreck
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

The Alexander Wreck

This destroyer escort ship sits in only 30 feet of water, making it accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers alike.

4. USCG Duane

Key Largo, FL
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 189 reviews

USCG Duane

The 329-foot Coast Guard cutter Duane was sunk in 1987 to create an "artificial reef," which was specially prepared for advanced divers with clear, open hatchways and open rooms to explore.

Reviewed By WilliamR2899

We had good vis and enjoyed some swim throughs, nice fish, Barracuda and a large Bull Shark. Excellent wreck, loved the American Flag on it!

5. Benwood wreck

Key Largo, FL
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 297 reviews

Benwood wreck

Selected as one of the dive sites on the Florida Keys' Shipwreck Trail, this merchant marine freighter was built in 1920 and sunk in 1942.

Reviewed By TravelerOana - New Jersey, United States

We dove it twice, day and night and it has lots of life on it. Besides fishes lots of turtles, a gigantic Goliath Grouper, Eels...

6. African Queen Canal Cruise

U.S. Hwy 1 at mile marker 100 Holiday Inn Docks, Key Largo, FL +1 305-451-8080 [email protected] http://africanqueenflkeys.com
Excellent
72%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,013 reviews

African Queen Canal Cruise

In 2012 the iconic boat the African Queen was restored for her 100 year centennial celebration. In May 2012 she once again began plying the waters of Key Largo and currently offers canal and dinner cruises. We go out daily at 10am, 12am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. On Fridays and Saturdays at 6pm we offer a dinner cruise to the Pilot House Marina where passengers disembark and enjoy dinner in the restaurant before boarding the vessel once again to return to the Marina Del Mar. Dinner and lunch cruises are also available on request for groups of at least 4 people.

Reviewed By 141marciam - Davie, United States

As a huge fan of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn It was amazing to ride on the African Queen And hear the stories that our captain shared with us about the African Queen and the movie

7. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum

Truman Waterfront On The Western Edge of Key West Foot of Southard Street at new Park Seawall, Key West, FL 33040 +1 305-292-5072 [email protected] http://uscgcingham.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,167 reviews

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum

327 Foot museum ship from WWII and Viet Nam. It is a National Historic Landmark. INGHAM served our country from 1936 to 1988 and in 1985 was the most decorated ship in United States Service as noted in a letter from President Ronald Reagan in the exhibit room. It is the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat (626) in WWII. It served as the Flagship for the seaside operation of General MacArthur's return to Corregidor in the Philippines. She served from 1936 to 1988. The ship is totally intact as if was on decommissioning day. Offering one of the best Sunset viewing venues in Key West on Friday and Saturday Evenings, serving wines and various Beers.

Reviewed By River55land

I've been traveling to Key West for decades and only learned about this maritime museum through TripAdvisor this trip. I've pretty much done everything there is to do in Key West and I was looking for something new when this popped up. The Ingham has been docked in Key West since 2009. A confession: I served on board the CGC Reliance as a radioman stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas for 18 months. As you might expect, there were some good and bad experiences. Throughout my 4 years in the Guard, I had heard about the Ingham. It was a thrill to tour such an historic ship. The ship, contrary to the photo on Trip Advisor which makes you think you have to take a boat to the ship, is moored at Truman Park, part of the Truman Annex. It's the star of the show. I was welcomed aboard a little before 10 am by a dedicated volunteer. When he found out I was a former CG, he broke off his briefing and said have at it. They provide you with a card that has all the "stops" with information on the card. Many of the stops are narrated. You pretty much get to see the entire ship. You can't go in some rooms but all are visible on the tour. My favorite was, of course, the radio room. When you tour this ship, it's like stepping into a time machine to WWII. Like any ship commissioned in 1936, it is showing its age and rust is a constant companion. Volunteers do all the work including chipping, scrapping, and painting. It's a donation entrance fee and they suggest $10. It'll be the best $10 you will spend. Part of the crew quarters and mess facilities are turned into a museum for WWII and Vietnam (Ingham participated in both). A ship this decorated (2 Presidential citations) has some interesting history: convoy duty where it sank a U-Boat, the Mediterranean during WWII, the Pacific Theater, also, WWII, and Vietnam. Be sure to wear shoes with good treads. They warn you of the steepness of the ladders (stairs for landlubbers) and there are quite a few on the tour. It's not really handicapped accessible but it would be pretty much impossible to do that. I would plan at least one hour for the tour. Getting there is a short walk from Whitehead Street. While in the vicinity, you should also visit Fort Zachary Taylor, another short walk from the ship.

8. The Maritime Museum of Amelia Island

115 S 2nd St Suite B, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, FL 32034-4203 +1 904-838-6619 [email protected] http://www.maritimemuseumai.org
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 132 reviews

The Maritime Museum of Amelia Island

Under New Management - New Hours {Real life treasure finders} Our museum displays and preserves the maritime history of Amelia Island with stories, artifacts and photographs. From modern day technology back to the 1600's and the days of pirates and treasure! Learn how treasures have been found with the special skills and tools unique to the industry. Visitors hear from some of professionals that found these treasures . Lots of recovered Artifacts and sunken treasure from the area, are on display. Fun for the whole Family! ADA Accessible!

Reviewed By chrisbtrips

We visitors the Maritime Museum which was filled with artifacts from different shipwrecks found off Amelia Island. The tour started off with a video overview of some of the historical information and how Amelia Island became a hub for Pirates. The video was well put together and fascinating. After the video ended we met with a talented volunteer at the Museum who built 3 of the 4 model (but functional) ships at the front of the Museum. The amount of talent/time that went into those model boats is incredible. We then began the tour with Doug who is one of the treasure hunters who built his own excavation boat to find the treasures you’ll see in the Museum. Doug was a great storyteller and was very knowledgeable about all of the artifacts. We really enjoyed the tour, and it made us want to go out and find treasures ourselves! We highly recommend going by and visiting the museum while you’re on Amelia Island, it was completely worth the nominal $5 entry!

9. USCG Bibb

Key Largo, FL
Excellent
48%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

USCG Bibb

A premier dive site in the Florida Keys, this Treasury-class Coast Guard cutter was sunk intentionally to create an artificial reef.

Reviewed By raed452

A USCG Cutter built in the 1930s. It is a great wreck dive. Lots to see. Great fish. Lots of cool places to look inside the hull through the passageways. But it is a deep dive and so it is important to watch that dive computer. Wreck is laying on her side. A dive light really helps bring out the colors of the critters!

10. SS American Victory Mariners' Memorial and Museum Ship

705 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602-5600 +1 813-228-8766 http://www.americanvictory.org/
Excellent
36%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 374 reviews

SS American Victory Mariners' Memorial and Museum Ship

Reviewed By SteveR8412 - New Port Richey, United States

The SS American Victory is a really great place for the whole family to experience a little piece of history. Even my teenage daughters had a good time. Most of the ship is accessible, and there is much to see and learn throughout the vessel. We enjoyed being able to climb up and down to different decks, and exploring at our own pace. It does get rather warm below deck, and it was a great idea to have a few air conditioned rooms on the ship. Parking across the street from the aquarium is only $2 an hour, which isn't bad. We spend about 2 hours visiting the ship. Also, we found a Groupon for this, so we paid $24 for 4 admissions, and $6 for parking - $30 for a really fun family experience!

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