Grouper Bend

Grouper Bend, located off the coast of Broward County in South Florida, derives its name from the groupers that frequent its deeper, eastern edge. This section of the outer reef features distinctive spur and groove formations, which originated during the last Ice Age when sea levels were significantly lower. Nowadays, the top of the third reef at Grouper Bend lies between 45 and 50 feet (13.5 to 15 meters), gradually dropping off to both the east and west. To the east, you’ll encounter open ocean and the deeper spurs and grooves. To the west, closer to the shore, there’s a main ledge formed when an ancient reef section, primarily composed of staghorn corals, collapsed and filled with sand. Interestingly, some divers mistakenly believe they’ve reached the sandy gap between the middle and outer reefs when they reach this ledge, but they’re still on the outer reef. Beyond this sandy area lies what divers refer to as the “false ledge,” and eventually, the outer reef transitions to sand at a depth of 65 to 70 feet (20 to 21.5 meters). Despite being “relic” reefs—no longer actively growing upward—the Broward County reefs still offer a diverse array of marine life. Stout, giant barrel sponges dominate the landscape, towering over other reef inhabitants. While the ecosystem differs from the living barrier reefs found farther south in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, there are still stony corals, encrusting corals, and smaller coral and sponge species to observe. Divers exploring Grouper Bend may spot patrolling pairs of French angelfish and banded butterflyfish weaving through the forest of barrel sponges. And don’t forget to keep an eye out along the false ledge for resting nurse sharks and the occasional solitary stingray farther out on the sandy bottom.