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+13 photos

Esso Bonaire

Wreck · Jupiter

26° 57.853' N 80° 00.475' W

Advanced Open Water Advanced Open Water Max 85 ft Avg 70 ft Hot Drop Today PMGood
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Details

Advanced Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
Max depth
85 ft
Average depth
70 ft
Access
Hot Drop
Sea state today
AMPerfect PMGood

Video

🎥 Jupiter Scuba Diving

Pictures 16

Esso Bonaire - Goliaths aggregate in this site by the end of the summer
Goliaths aggregate in this site by the end of the summer 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - The bow of the Esso Bonaire
The bow of the Esso Bonaire 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - The wreck offers very little penetration
The wreck offers very little penetration 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - A lemon shark on the stern at the Esso Bonaire
A lemon shark on the stern at the Esso Bonaire 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Bull sharks are commonly found in this site
Bull sharks are commonly found in this site 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Shark dives are very common in this site
Shark dives are very common in this site 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Shark handler carefully feeding bull sharks
Shark handler carefully feeding bull sharks 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - A pair of friendly lemon sharks
A pair of friendly lemon sharks 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - A bull shark patrols the shallow waters
A bull shark patrols the shallow waters 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Shark are typically found at all depths in this site
Shark are typically found at all depths in this site 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - A friendly shark coming close to the camera
A friendly shark coming close to the camera 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - This site is commonly used for shark feeding
This site is commonly used for shark feeding 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - The skin of the lemon shark has that "yellowish" tone that gives him its name
The skin of the lemon shark has that "yellowish" tone that gives him its name 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Lemon sharks are often found in groups
Lemon sharks are often found in groups 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - Sharks and divers blend perfectly under the midday sun
Sharks and divers blend perfectly under the midday sun 📸 Pablo Strika
Esso Bonaire - A lemon shark showing his latest dental work
A lemon shark showing his latest dental work 📸 Pablo Strika

Where it is

26° 57.853' N 80° 00.475' W

Next boats to this site 168

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Operators that dive here

Best Gas

atm
atm
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Gas prices
Aluminum 80 $10
Steel HP 100 $10
Steel LP 85 $10

Wreck Details

Sunk 1989
Tanker
147 ftLength
? ftBeam

Site description

This wreck sit upright with its bow pointing south in the coastal water of Jupiter. Over the years, it has gain its reputation of shark feedback field - given that some local operators typically feed sharks a few feet north of its stern. Marine life is very abundant in this site: it's very common to see Goliath groupers and may kinds of sharks waiting to be fed or just patrolling the wreck. Penetration in this wreck is possible although there in no much to explore inside. The cargo holds are wide opened.

Route & typical conditions

Route

If conducting this dive as a drift dive, divers are encouraged to do a quick lap around the wreck to get the first impression of it. I currents allow, divers should try repeating this and then attempt penetration at the cargo holds. In all cases, divers should make sure they are constantly checking the sand level of this wreck as that's where sharks may probably come to say hi!. If conducting the "Jupiter Wreck Trek", this is the last stop. Divers should monitor their non-decompression limits and make sure they have ample gas to return to the surface.

Typical conditions

Current are typically strong in this site - its proximity to the Gulfstream helps in this department. But at the same time, strong current tend to provide better visibilities.

Wreck history

Esso Bonaire historic photo
 The Esso Bonaire III had a fascinating history. Originally built in 1939 as the Poling Bros. No. 17 for Chester A. Poling, Incorporated, this 402-ton bulk-oil carrier measured just 146.3 feet in length and 27.2 feet in breadth, with a 4,450-barrel capacity. Over the years, it underwent several name changes: Tanker 150 No.1, 1150 No. 1, Emperador I, and Nicodemus III. Finally, in 1989, it was sold and rechristened the Esso Bonaire III. On March 19, 1989, a U.S. Coast Guard boarding team discovered 50,000 pounds of marijuana hidden in the hull of the Honduran-flagged Esso Bonaire III. After being seized, the vessel was purchased by Palm Beach County and transformed into an artificial reef. It was stripped down, cleaned, and strategically scuttled. Despite initial resistance, the wreck now rests approximately 90 feet underwater off Jupiter, Florida. Divers often encounter adult goliath groupers around this intriguing site, making it an excellent opportunity for underwater photography. 

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