Mispah Wreck

The Mispah is unquestionably one of the most popular wrecks in the Palm Beach area, among the local divers and visitors alike. Built in 1926. the 185-foot steel yacht was sunk intentionally in 90 feet of water in 1968 as an artificial reef site. It is a protected marine reserve where spearfishing, shell collecting, collecting of marine tropicals and lobstering are all prohibited by law.

This vessel was a former Greek luxury liner and is still intact, although showing signs of deterioration. Over the years, storms have taken their toll on the remains. An October 1991 storm severely damaged the stern. The bow, too, has been torn open by constant wave action and strong currents.

The Mispah's cargo hold is safe to explore and packed full of school of reef fish, appreciative of the wonderful hiding places. All the doors, loose cables and other potentially dangerous items were removed from the wreck prior to the sinking for the safety of divers. There is a good deal of ambient light, but a dive light will bring out the vibrant colors of sponges, tunicates and hyroids covering the structure.

The exterior of the wreck is also a pleasure to explore, with three-tiered decks and exterior passageways. Turtles can often be seen on or near the wreck. This dive is usually done as a drift dive, incorporating some of the other wrecks in the area as well. It is considered an intermediate to advanced dive because of the depth and considerable currents common in the Palm Beach area.