United Caribbean Wreck
The United Caribbean, formerly the Golden Venture, is a 147-foot cargo ship with one of the most famous back stories of any wreck off South Florida. It sits a short swim south of the Sea Emperor.
| Type | Shipwreck / artificial reef |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ex-Golden Venture |
| Depth | 50 ft at the top to 70 ft at the sand |
| Skill level | Open Water (certified to 60 ft) |
| Size | 147 ft steel cargo ship |
| Built | 1969 |
| Sunk | August 22, 2000 |
| Area | South of Boca Inlet, Boca Raton |
History
Built in 1969, the ship made headlines as the Golden Venture when it ran aground off New York on June 6, 1993, in a human-smuggling case. Renamed United Caribbean, it later ran between Florida and Haiti before being abandoned in the Miami River. The Palm Beach County Artificial Reef Program sank it on August 22, 2000.
Good to know
It's a good wreck for Advanced Open Water wreck training, and you can link it with the Sea Emperor's culverts on the same dive when conditions allow.
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 50 feet at the top); the sand is at about 70 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
- Sea Emperor Wreck – 50 ft at the top to 70 ft at the sand
- Noula Express Wreck – 55 ft at the deck to 78 ft at the sand
- Boca Artificial Reef Ledge – about 60–70 ft (sand at 70 ft)
- See all our local wrecks and reefs
FAQ
How deep is the United Caribbean?
About 50 feet at the top and 70 feet at the sand.
Was the United Caribbean the Golden Venture?
Yes. It ran aground off New York in 1993 as the Golden Venture.
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