Captain Dan Wreck Dive

Type of Dive

Advanced Wreck Dive.

Skill Level

This dive is for advanced open water diver’s or open water diver’s under the direct supervision of an instructor..

Dive Site Depths

The depth is around 65 feet to the top of the shipwreck superstructure. The main deck sits at about 85 feet, with a max depth 110 to the sand

Dive Site Location

The Captain Dan is located at 2.38 Nm @ 1670 from Hillsboro Inlet & 7.80 Nm @ 0210 from Port Everglades. 1.29 Nm off-shore from Holiday Inn & Tiffany Towers.

Ship Description

The Captain Dan is a retired 175 foot Coast Guard tender. For the most part the ship is still intact with a lot of growth on it. The Captain Dan is an excellent wreck for penetration however you must have the proper training and proper equipment.

Captain Dan Reef Smart Guide

For Sale

Shop Now

Dive Site Information

The Captain Dan is considered an advance dive. She is located on the east side of the main reef straight off Pompano Beach. The bow is pointing south and she is currently sitting upright. There is typically a light to moderate current on this wreck however the current can become very strong during strong Tidal movements. The Capt. Dan is pretty much sitting out in deep sand.

The Dive Plan:

2 Dives 2 Locations

We will start out our day with our first I’ve been on the Captain Dan. Our second dive is typically a drift dive somewhere along the third reef line. The captain will pick the second dive location based on conditions and visibility. We have 45 minutes to 1 hour at each dive site air and bottom time permitting. The departure dock location for this dive trip is located in Pompano Beach.

Dive Trip Schedule

Ready to go on this dive trip?


The Wreck Hunters Captain Dan

Ships History

Wreck history The Captain Dan Originally commissioned the Hollyhock, a US Coast Guard Tender, the Captain Dan was sunk in February 1990 as part of the Rodeo Reef. After being decommissioned by the Coast Guard, the Hollyhock was purchased by a missionary.

Mechanical problems stranded the vessel and she was towed to the Miami River where she was sold to the Florida Boating Improvement Program to become an artificial reef. The Hollyhock was renamed Captain Dan in memory of Dan Garnsey, a charter fishing pioneer, and sunk on February 20, 1990.

Resident Marine Life

The Captain Dan is now an established shipwreck due to its size is an excellent place to view large animals such as Goliath groupers, large barracuda and big schools of fish. We have also seen sharks and whale sharks on this wreck along with turtles and dolphins on occasions.

Ready to go on this dive trip?



Extend your bottom time with Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course

The PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) diver course will certify you to use Enriched Air (Nitrox) to stay down longer during your shallow water dives.

 Also by breathing a higher concentration of oxygen during your dive, you will come back feeling refreshed and ready for more diving.

Click the banner for complete course details

Sign up for Nitrox Now

Need some new gear?

We guarantee the best products at the most competitive prices. Shop On-line at SCUBA Dive It Gear.com

E-mail: info@scubadiveit.com