Freediving the Palm Beaches
Freediving the Palm Beaches
The Palm Beaches offer world-class diving right in our backyard! While many travelers set their sights on the Caribbean or other distant destinations, Palm Beach County is a hidden gem with some of the best freediving conditions in the world. With a mix of vibrant reefs, sunken wrecks, and crystal-clear waters, it’s no wonder this area has become a favorite among freedivers.
While most of our dives launch from the Lake Worth (Palm Beach) Inlet, the county boasts three other unique inlets—Jupiter, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton. Each inlet offers diverse freediving opportunities.
Ideal Conditions and What Live Free Diving Offers
The best time to dive the Palm Beaches is during the summer months, when ocean conditions are calm, and visibility is at its peak. Live Free Diving provides a variety of freediving experiences, including both group and private line diving, as well as recreational reef and wreck freedive charters aboard our boat, Fins Up.
From the dock, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the “Freedive Grounds,” a prime spot for blue-water freediving. Nestled along the edge of the Gulf Stream at 500-600 feet deep, the Freedive Grounds promise some of the clearest water and unique marine life sightings. Most days, you’ll be greeted by tranquil blue water and schools of small fish, but it’s not uncommon to encounter dolphins, sharks, wahoo, mahi mahi, and even sailfish or marlin. We’ve also had rare sightings of giant pelagic manta rays, baby sea turtles, and the occasional mola mola (sunfish)!
Location
Located at Florida’s easternmost point, the Lake Worth Inlet—easily recognized by the iconic “Pumphouse” on the north jetty—provides easy access to the Gulf Stream. This warm ocean current brings in crystal-clear waters from the Caribbean and makes Palm Beach a diver’s paradise. Here, you’ll find a variety of shipwrecks, reefs, and abundant marine life.
Depth
Diving depths in the area vary greatly, from shallow waters under 10 feet to depths exceeding 200 feet. The proximity to the continental shelf means you’ll find deeper water close to shore, ideal for those looking to train for depth.
Favorite Deep Dive Sites
- Breakers Reef (Offshore)
Further east of the inshore Breakers Reef, this site sits in 45-60 feet of water. Known for gentle drift dives, this area is part of the extensive Florida Coral Reef and is popular among both SCUBA divers and freedivers. - Governor’s Riverwalk
A collection of four ships—confiscated drug-smuggling ferries—sunk just south of the inlet. These vessels rest in 75-90 feet of water and now serve as artificial reefs. - Anna Cecilia
Sunk in 2016, this 170-foot-long freighter lies north of the inlet in 60-85 feet of water. It’s part of a larger shipwreck trail known as the Corridor, which includes wrecks like the Mizpah, China Barge, and Amaryllis.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Palm Beach offers the clearest water in the continental U.S., with visibility reaching up to 80-120 feet on good days. However, visibility can fluctuate during outgoing tides or after heavy rain and wind.
Currents and Other Elements
Palm Beach is known for its natural currents, which vary with the moon phases. While some areas can experience stronger flows, our freedive training grounds are well-suited for drift diving, allowing us to move with the current rather than fight against it. This makes for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Unlike high-traffic boating areas, our dive sites are farther offshore, ensuring a more peaceful and uninterrupted dive. Seasonal jellyfish blooms and occasional shark sightings are part of the vibrant marine ecosystem, but with the right awareness and preparation, they rarely pose an issue. For those with an adventurous spirit, the rewards of diving here are truly incredible!
Marine Life
Marine life in the Palm Beaches is exceptionally diverse, making it a dream for freedivers. The reefs and wrecks are teeming with tropical fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and damselfish, alongside larger species like snapper, grouper, and hogfish.
What sets the Palm Beaches apart, however, is the abundance of large marine life. The area is one of the best places in the world to see multiple shark species, including tiger sharks, hammerheads, bull sharks, lemon sharks, sandbars, and silkys—just to name a few. During late summer, divers can also witness the spectacular Goliath Grouper aggregation, where up to 100 of these massive fish gather on a single reef!
Beyond fish and sharks, the reefs are filled with vibrant corals, massive barrel sponges, and tasty lobster. Keep an eye out for predators as well—some operators in the area bait sharks, which means these curious creatures are often seen exploring dive sites, especially during spearfishing trips.
Accessibility
Many of the dive sites in the Palm Beaches are accessible only by boat. Live Free Diving offers exclusive charters on our boat “Fins Up” there are also several SCUBA charters in the area that will take you to the top spots!
Why We Love Freediving the Palm Beaches
With crystal-clear water, diverse marine life, and dive sites ranging from shallow reefs to deep wrecks, the Palm Beaches offer some of the best freediving on the East Coast. The Gulf Stream’s warm currents and deep waters so close to shore make this a unique destination for freedivers of all skill levels.
Whether you’re looking to drift along coral reefs, train for depth, or explore sunken ships, the Palm Beaches are an underwater playground waiting to be explored. Most of our PADI freediving courses take place here, and we also offer private training sessions and guided dives.
Email us today to book your next freediving adventure with Live Free Diving—our boat Fins Up is ready to take you there!
