Rapa Nui Reef
Rapa Nui Reef is an art reef off the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier: a 150-foot barge carrying 15 concrete Moai statues inspired by Easter Island, the tallest about 22 feet.
| Type | Shipwreck / artificial reef |
|---|---|
| Depth | 55 ft at the top of the barge to 68 ft at the sand |
| Skill level | Open Water (certified to 60 ft) |
| Size | 150 x 45 ft barge with 15 concrete Moai statues |
| Sunk | June 7, 2015 |
| Area | Deerfield Beach |
History
The reef was a community project. Margaret Blume funded it, artist Dennis McDonald created the statues, and the Women's Club of Deerfield Beach and Arilton Pavan of Dixie Divers helped make it happen. The barge flipped on the way down on June 7, 2015, and landed upside down, with the statues around it.
Good to know
Don't try to go inside: the barge has exposed rebar and isn't safe to penetrate.
Who can dive it
Open Water dive. Open Water divers must stay shallower than 60 feet. You can enjoy this wreck by staying above 60 feet on the deck and upper structure (about 55 feet at the top); the sand is at about 68 feet. Not certified yet? Start with PADI Open Water. Want more confidence and more dive sites? Take PADI Advanced Open Water. 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
- Angel's Reef & the Barefoot Mailman – 40 ft on top to 45 ft at the sand
- Noula Express Wreck – 55 ft at the deck to 78 ft at the sand
- See all our local wrecks and reefs
FAQ
How deep is Rapa Nui Reef?
About 55 feet at the top of the barge and 68 feet at the sand.
Can I go inside the barge?
No. It flipped on sinking and has exposed rebar, so it isn't safe to penetrate.
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