Hillsboro Inlet
Hillsboro Inlet
Location
Hillsboro Inlet connects the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the Atlantic Ocean in Pompano Beach, Florida. Offshore of the inlet lies a host of incredible dive sites that include natural and artificial reefs, shipwrecks, and the big blue of the Gulf Stream! Click for map of dive locations
Depth & Clarity
Hillsboro Inlet features all kinds of depth, with reefs in as shallow as 10 feet and some that reach deeper than 100 feet. The Gulf stream offers nearly unlimited depth within a short distance from shore. Within minutes from the Inlet you will find shipwrecks and reefs ideal for Freediving, SCUBA, and snorkeling. Some of our favorite freedive sites include:
Copenhagen Shipwreck 15-30’
Nursery Reef- 15-30′
Okinawa Shipwreck- 35-70’
Lady Luck Shipwreck- 60-130’
Ancient Mariner Shipwreck- 50-70’
Crab Cove Reef- 45-65’
Grouper Bend Reef- 45-75’
Visibility fluctuates based on rainfall, wind, and other factors but the presence of the Gulf Stream current keeps things fairly clear. It is not uncommon to have days with 60+ feet of visibility.
Width/Openness
Hillsboro Inlet offers open ocean with lots of room to spread out.
Marine Life & Elements
With lots of structure and reef, Hillsboro inlet is home to a host of marine life including Turtles, Fish, Lobster, hard and soft corals, Sharks, Dolphin, Goliath Grouper and much more. Hunting/spearfishing can be difficult to the density of population in the area, most reefs are subject to heavy fishing.
Bahama islands lying East of Hillsboro inlet provide some blockage from the open ocean, limiting wave height. The presence of the gulf stream can often lead to strong currents. Conditions tend to be more favorable during Summer months.
Accessibility, Traffic & Parking
While there are some shore dive spots in the area, most spots are only accessible via boat. There are many charters in the area that cater to Freedivers.
Price for charters vary from $50-200. Local dive shop Dixie Divers offers Freedive Friday line diving trips.
Consistent boat traffic is experienced off Hillsboro Inlet, especially on weekends. Be sure to bring a highly visible dive flag.
Overall
With a host of marine life and almost unlimited depth, Hillsboro Inlet is a great place for depth training, site seeing/photography, and spearfishing despite the heavy traffic and sometimes unfavorable conditions. As an added bonus, be sure to check out Pompano Beach’s world famous Shipwreck Park!
***We strongly advise that before diving any location, you check for the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit, respect the environment.