Aqua Zoo • Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Aqua Zoo is a pile of culverts that lie on the bottom next to the wreck of the Sea Emperor. The name reflects the diversity and size of marine life that inhabits this wreck.
At a glance
| What you need to know | |
|---|---|
| Dive 1 | Wreck |
| Dive 2 | Reef |
| Max depth in feet | 70 |
| Minimum cert level | Open Water |
| Departs from | Pompano |
| Minutes from shop | 20 |
| Be at the boat no later than | 7:45 AM |
| Boat departs | 8:30 AM |
| Expected return | 12:00 PM |
| Price without gear rental | $109.95 |
| Price tanks and weights | $119.95 |
| Price with full gear rental | $149.95 |
| Add Nitrox | $10.00 per tank |
The wreck
The Sea Emperor was formerly a hopper barge. It became part of a fine levied on a dredging company. The dredging destroyed some reefs off Palm Beach County. The barge was filled with large cement culverts and sunk off Boca Raton.
When the barge sank, it flipped upside down, scattering the culverts. This created a fantastic playground for fish and divers alike.
The diving
The Aqua Zoo is now home to large southern rays, nurse sharks, eels and hundreds of other fish. In season, you may even come across Goliath Groupers. It has been dubbed “the stingray dive you can drive to.”
Balance is due in full when you sign up. There are no refunds unless we find someone to take your place.
- DAN insurance
- Crew gratuity
- Certification cards
- Dive insurance
- Signed travel waiver and Statement of Understanding
- Personal dive gear
- Audible and visual surface signals
…and don’t forget:
- One towel each for showers and diving
- Dive light
- Safety sausage
- Emergency mirror
- Whistle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
Learn more or reserve space
Use this form to send us a question about this specific trip. You can also use this form to let us know you are interested in joining us and how many people will be in your group — just be aware that reservations are not considered firm until we receive paymentt.