Dive a ‘Movie-Star’ Shipwreck, Restore Corals in the Lower Keys

The largest shipwreck available for sport diving in the Lower Keys remains a popular stop on the Florida Keys Wreck Trek for divers and a relatively easy introduction to wreck diving for the novice.

The 210-foot-long Adolphus Busch Sr., intentionally sunk in 112 feet of water Dec. 5, 1998, lies between world-famous Looe Key and American Shoal, southwest of Big Pine Key. The location means the wreck is easily accessible and close to the spectacular underwater beauty of Looe Key reef.

As well as being a short-haul island freighter, the vessel that became the Adolphus Busch Sr. had a movie career. It co-starred with Robert Mitchum, Jack Lemmon and Rita Hayworth in the 1957 film “Fire Down Below.”

Built in Scotland in 1951 and previously called London, Topsail Star, Windsor Trader and Ocean Alley, the ship was christened Adolphus Busch Sr. by the Anheuser-Busch brewery founder's grandson, Adolphus Busch IV. The younger Busch, an avid diver and fisherman, donated $200,000 toward the purchase, cleanup and sinking of the vessel.

Because the ship was sunk in a protected area, no explosives were used in the scuttling process. Instead, 12 holes were drilled into the Busch and water was pumped into its hull. It settled upright and in perfect condition on a sandy bottom, with its wheelhouse at 70 feet and main deck at 90 feet depths.

Hatches and portholes were removed, but the ship remains otherwise intact. The 12 large holes provide safe, easy access into it.

For an extraordinary wreck-reef dive day, underwater enthusiasts can combine an exploration of Looe Key Reef with a dive on the Busch — and the chance to see schools of baitfish, 250- to 450-pound goliath grouper, a colorful spectrum of snappers, amberjacks, grunts, blue runners, barracuda, sharks and schools of snook, permit and other juveniles. Curious sea turtles occasionally make a pass through.

Dive shops in the Lower Keys regularly visit the Adolphus Busch and offer daily reef dives. 

For a relatively new Lower Keys dive opportunity, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key can customize group tours and coral restoration activities for divers while showcasing Mote’s groundbreaking coral cultivation efforts. 

Mote’s “Reef Revival” program enables novice and expert divers to experience hands-on reef restoration in partnership with Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center’s Big Pine Key location. 

Mote has planted over 75,000 coral fragments along about 130 acres of Florida’s coral reef. The center also is identifying, growing and restoring coral genetic varieties resilient to disease and climate change impact threats. 

The Lower Keys center, located at 24244 Overseas Highway, also offers complimentary public tours, set for 10-11 a.m. each Tuesday, for people interested in learning about the science behind coral restoration. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Call 305-745-2729.