Wreck of the Regina Aka Sugar Barge

Florida, USA East
map
Entry Map
directions
Directions
photos
Photos
Difficulty
Unrated
Viz (last reported 46208h ago)
Max Depth
Unknown

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Wreck of the Regina Aka Sugar Barge

The wreck is very broken up and scattered with most of the large remains (stern section) about fifty feet north and about 100 feet out from the southwest buoy. The bow is towards the north. The water depth varies from 15 to 20 feet based. Different parts of the wreck are visible at different times due to storms and currents either depositing or removing sand from the area. Visibility is highly dependant on the prevailing wind direction and strength. The following website has some good photos of the wreck http://www.seatrekdivers.com/photogallery/photo_regina.htm This wreck accessible by shore is a part of the Florida State Underwater Archaeological Preserve. It is located off of Bradenton Beach just across from the street (Gulf Drive) from Seatrek Divers shop. The address is 105 7th St N. Bradenton Beach, FL 34217. To get to the site head towards the Bradenton Beach portion of Anna Maria Island via Gulf Drive. There is no local parking at the site devoted to the beach. One will have to drop off gear and find a parking spot close by. Depending on the day and time limited parking may be available around the building that the dive shop is in. Seatrek has successfully lobbied the local country government to place buoys off the wreck to aid in navigation. Unfortunately the county dropped the buoys in the wrong place so the diver will have to navigate in a direction off the buoys. (I am not an employee or being paid by Seatreck. They really are just across the street from the dive site)
Access
shore
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
5
4
3
2
1
4.0
(5)
Currently viewing a specific review. View all reviews
Gary Majors
Gary Majors
Feb 9, 2014, 12:00 AM
scuba
Dove the Regina to test out some new gear last summer. The wreck is mark by a white buoy, might have a tied off bleach bottle or some such but it was still there. Not much left of the ship but if you look around you will find pieces scattered about. The dive shop is now named SeaKat and the gentleman I dealt with there was great. Very helpful and knowledgeable. It is a very easy dive. Park (and please patronize) in front of SeaKat and simply walk across the street. A few more steps put you on the beach. Then look for the white buoy about 75 yards out. That is it. Just swim out and have a look. Not a dive you would fly halfway around the world for but great for a beginner (20ft if you can find a hole to put your depth gauge in). Great for locals or if you are in the area and just want to get wet. Very little if any current and the waves are rarely any problem. Visibility isn't great. 8 foot or so when I was there. It might be better at times but 8 foot isn't bad for this site. After dining there are many places to see and eat all around. If you have a non-diving spouse they can enjoy the nice sandy beach until you make it back. (ask her/him to have a few cold beers ready and waiting too ;) )
Other Locations Nearby