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Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

The Adolphus Busch wreck, formerly known as the M/V London, was intentionally sunk in 1998 off the coast of the Lower Keys of Florida to create an artificial reef. This 210-foot coastal freighter lies at a depth of approximately 120ft (40m), with the deck resting at around 100ft (33m). It's important to note that conditions such as currents and visibility can vary.

Divers visiting the Adolphus Busch wreck can expect to encounter a diverse range of marine life. Seasonally, pelagic species such as various shark species, tarpon, and permit can be spotted. Additionally, large schools of snapper and grunts are usually present, as well as sizable black and Goliath grouper.

The sinking of this wreck was made possible with significant funding from the Busch family, who also provided the ship's new name in their honor. Despite its size, the 210-foot coastal freighter can be explored thoroughly within 1 or 2 dives. The superstructure located at the aft rises to about 70ft (23m) and features diver-friendly cut-outs, including one at the bottom of the funnel that allows for an exit through the smokestack.

As the Adolphus Busch wreck is an open water site, it's crucial to consider sea state, current, and visibility, as these factors can vary. Divers should ensure they have the appropriate skill level and experience before embarking on this dive. It is recommended for advanced and expert divers. The visibility at the site is approximately 9m, and the maximum depth reaches 31m.

Located in the United States, specifically in close proximity to Looe Key, the Adolphus Busch wreck offers an exciting and rewarding diving experience for those seeking to explore a fascinating underwater habitat. Don't miss the chance to witness the seasonal pelagics, schools of snapper and grunts, and the impressive black and Goliath grouper, alongside the resident green morays.

Diving Conditions Score for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

6.7
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Depth

31m

Visibility

9m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Wave Height

0.38m

Wind Speed

16.4 m/s

Water Temp

31°C

Visibility

17.2km

Cloud Cover

12%

Wave Period

3.65s

Air Temperature

30.1°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Best time to dive: 16:00 with score 7.841198501872659/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.64m, Wind 6.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 22:00 with score 7.449139784946237/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Adolphus Busch (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at Adolphus Busch (Wreck): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Adolphus Busch (Wreck) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
16:00

Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.64m (4.45s), Wind: 6.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
22:00

Score: 7.4/10
Waves: 0.54m, Wind: 7.6 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.7/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

January
Score: 8.7
February
Score: 8.7
December
Score: 8.7

Ideal Conditions for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

27.5°C / 81.5°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.7m / 38.4ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

2.4m / 7.9ft

September

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Adolphus Busch (Wreck)

Adolphus Busch (Wreck) shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.4°C) and January the coldest (17.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in September with average wave heights of 2.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in September with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). February is usually the driest month with 0.1mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during September to November, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 23, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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