Thunderbolt
Wreck · Marathon
24° 39.665' N 80° 57.794' W
Advanced Open Water Max 120 ft Avg 105 ft Permanent Mooring Balls
Today PMPoor
Details
Advanced Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
- Max depth
- 120 ft
- Average depth
- 105 ft
- Access
- Permanent Mooring Balls
- Sea state today
- AMPoor PMPoor
Video
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Pictures 5
Where it is
24° 39.665' N 80° 57.794' W
Next boats to this site 0
No confirmed trips to this site are listed yet.
Operators that dive here
Best Gas
Gas prices
| Diluent tank | $35.50 |
| O2 tank | $10.00 |
atm
atm
Gas prices
| Aluminum 80 | $10 |
| Steel HP 100 | $10 |
| Steel LP 85 | $10 |
NDL at is
24 hr min surface interval
Always use a dive computer
Wreck Details
Sunk March 3rd, 1986
Cable Ship
188 ftLength
37 ftBeam
Site description
The wreck of the Thunderbolt, located off the coast of Marathon, Florida, is a fascinating dive site with a rich history. Originally built in 1942 as a cable-laying ship, the Thunderbolt was later repurposed for research before being intentionally sunk on March 6, 1986, as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association project. Today, she rests upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of about 120 feet, approximately four miles south of Marathon and Key Colony Beach.
The Thunderbolt is renowned for its intact structure and the vibrant marine life that has made it home. Divers can explore the ship’s deck, superstructure, and various compartments, all of which are encrusted with colorful corals and sponges. The wreck attracts a diverse array of marine species, including barracuda, jacks, and angelfish, making it a popular spot for underwater photography and marine observation.
Due to its depth and the potential for strong currents, the Thunderbolt is best suited for advanced divers. The clear waters and excellent visibility, however, make it a rewarding dive for those with the necessary experience. The site offers a unique combination of historical intrigue and natural beauty, providing a memorable diving adventure for enthusiasts visiting the Florida Keys.
Route & typical conditions
Route
** as of Sep-2024 the two mooring balls on this dive site are not available, making this dive site only accessible through a temporary line.
This wreck offers a lot of penetration opportunities. Divers can visit the stern compartments where part of the engines are still visible. Also the superstructure and the bow section offer great penetration opportunities. Divers are suggested to do a couple of laps at the beginning to get familiarized with the structure of the wreck.
Typical conditions
Visibility tends to be good in this site - ranging from 50 to 100 feet. Current are often mild to moderate.
Wreck history
The Thunderbolt was a 188-foot-long cable-laying workboat with a 37-foot beam. After many useful years of service, the vessel had become derelict and found its way into a boatyard in the Miami River. The Artificial Reef Committee of the Florida Keys discovered the ship, purchased it, and cleaned and removed all hatches before towing it to a site just south of Vaca Cut in Marathon. The Thunderbolt was finally sunk on March 3, 1986, in 115 feet of water.
Today, the Thunderbolt sits upright and intact just south of Vaca Cut. Divers can see her two bronze propellers and enormous cable-laying spool, penetrate into her wheelhouse, or simply marvel at the diversity and abundance of marine life that have made their home on this scuttled shipwreck. It is important to remember that penetration into any shipwreck should only be done by those with proper training, experience, and wreck diving equipment. Scuba gear such as powerful dive lights, navigation reels, dive knives, and redundant air supplies like a pony bottle or doubles are standard for wreck divers. There is a permanent buoy on the Thunderbolt, and visibility ranges from 50 to 100 feet, with a light current usually present. This wreck is often covered with big grouper and schools of barracuda.
Divers' uploaded pictures
No diver pictures yet.
