Barracuda Reef

Barracuda Reef is one of the more popular and frequently dived sites in the Ft. Lauderdale area. The reef is south of the inlet at Port Everglades and is directly off the beach at the John U. Lloyd State Park in Dania.

This particular middle reef has a healthy concentration of staghorn, brain and star corals, very similar to the Florida Keys. The ledges on the inside of the reef rise more than four feet from the sand floor, creating tunnels which make great hiding places for critters like lobster, crabs and moray eels.

Barracuda Reef rises to within 20 feet of the surface and because of its proximity to shore there is increased boat traffic in the area, so divers should use caution. Mooring buoys have been installed, the first in Broward County, sponsored by the Ocean Watch Foundation and its maintained by the Florida Ocean Sciences Institute.