M/V Castor Wreck
The M/V Castor is a 258-foot freighter south of Boynton Inlet, and it's one of the best places in Florida to see goliath grouper, especially during the late-summer spawning aggregation.
| Type | Shipwreck / artificial reef |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ex-Dorothee Bos |
| Depth | about 60 ft at the highest point, 90 ft at the main deck, 110 ft at the sand |
| Skill level | Advanced Open Water (Deep specialty recommended) |
| Size | 258 ft freighter |
| Built | 1970 (as the Dorothee Bos) |
| Sunk | December 14, 2001 |
| Area | South of Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach County |
History
Built in 1970 as the Dorothee Bos, the ship was seized by U.S. Customs in 1999 with a large cargo of cocaine. Palm Beach County bought it and sank it as an artificial reef on December 14, 2001. Hurricanes have since broken up its midsection.
Goliath grouper
You'll usually see 10 to 30 goliath grouper here year-round. From about August to October, during the spawning aggregation, there can be 30 to 50 or more. These trips fill fast. Read our goliath grouper spotlight.
Good to know
Current is a big factor here, so we need the right conditions. The Budweiser Bar wreck is nearby.
Who can dive it
Advanced Open Water, Deep specialty recommended. This dive site goes deeper than 80 feet, so you need to be Advanced Open Water certified. Advanced Open Water certifies you to 100 feet, and parts of this dive site are deeper, so we recommend the PADI Deep Diver specialty (to 130 feet). Start with our PADI Advanced Open Water course, and add Nitrox for more bottom time. If you want to go inside a wreck, you need wreck penetration training, like the PADI Wreck Diver specialty.
Dive it with DXDivers
Dive it with us on our dive boat, the Lady Go Diver, out of Deerfield Beach. Our captain picks the dive sites for each trip based on the conditions that day, so check the dive sites listed on each trip in our calendar, or call us at 954-420-0009.
See boat dive trips Call 954-420-0009
Diving often? Save with our dive trip packages, see all dive trips and tank fills, or book the whole boat with a private charter.
Nearby dive sites
- Budweiser Bar Wreck – 75 ft at the foredeck, 85 ft at the main deck, about 95 ft at the sand
- Captain Tony Wreck – 50 ft at the top of the house to about 82–85 ft at the sand
- See all our local wrecks and reefs
FAQ
When is the goliath grouper aggregation?
Roughly August through October.
How deep is the Castor?
About 110 feet at the sand, 90 feet at the main deck and 60 feet at the highest point.
How do I book a dive here?
Check the dive sites listed on each trip in our boat dive calendar, or call us at 954-420-0009. Our captain chooses the dive sites for each trip based on the conditions that day.
Depths and details come from our crew's dive site notes and public artificial reef records. Conditions change, so always follow your captain's and divemaster's briefing.
OUR LOCATION
DXDIVERS · 455 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 · (954) 420-0009