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Jose Cuervo Shipwreck Dive
Drop into one of Miami Beach’s most unique shallow dive sites—an artificial “margarita bar” reef in about 20 feet of water. Perfect for an easy boat day with snorkeling or a relaxed scuba profile when conditions are calm.
Just offshore of South Beach sits the Jose Cuervo site—often called Jose Cuervo Reef or Jose Cuervo Bar—an artificial reef built around a quirky concrete “margarita bar” and surrounding modules that attract fish and reef growth.
Because it’s shallow (around 20 feet at the mooring buoys), it’s a great option for snorkelers and newer divers looking for a low-stress dive—while still offering plenty to see, photograph, and explore.
The reef is serviced by two Miami-Dade County mooring buoys, making it a convenient stop when you’re boating near Government Cut and Miami Beach. As with any nearshore Atlantic site, plan around the marine forecast—visibility and surface conditions can change quickly.
About This Experience
The Jose Cuervo site is a shallow artificial reef off South Beach/Miami Beach featuring a 22-ton concrete “margarita bar” structure placed in 2000 and surrounded by tetrahedron-style modules with roughly 9 feet of relief. Miami-Dade notes the presence of hard corals, gorgonians, and sponges, plus numerous reef fish—making it a fun, high-payoff stop without a deep dive profile. Two official mooring buoys (JC-1 and JC-2) mark the site in about 20 feet of water, so boaters can secure up without anchoring on the reef.
Boat-Friendly Ways to Visit
South Beach Quick Hop (Mooring Buoy Drop-In)
Cruise out from the South Beach area, approach the Jose Cuervo mooring buoys slowly, secure properly, and run a snorkel session followed by a short, easy scuba dive (or a second snorkel lap). Great when seas are calm and visibility is decent.
Half-Day Reef + Cruise Itinerary
Start with Jose Cuervo for a shallow warm-up, then enjoy a sightseeing cruise past South Beach and around Government Cut (high traffic—use caution). Return for a second look if conditions improve or you want more photo time.
Sunset Snorkel & Photo Stop
Time your arrival for softer light and calmer winds (often mornings are best; some evenings can be glassy too). Keep the visit short, stay tight to your group, and prioritize surface safety given nearby boat traffic.
Perfect Boats for This Activity
So What Who Cares
Cruiser REM 48
La Dolce Vita II 60
Seaduction 52
Four Keeps
Azimut TH
Azimut ONK 48
Azimut FR60
The Godfather
De Antonio 42
TIHT Azumut Fly 80
Andiamo Azimut
So What Who Cares
Cruiser REM 48
La Dolce Vita II 60
Seaduction 52
Four Keeps
Azimut TH
Azimut ONK 48
Azimut FR60
The Godfather
De Antonio 42
TIHT Azumut Fly 80
Andiamo Azimut
Where This Activity Takes Place
Getting There
Multiple departure points available
Open in Maps
Practical Tips for Boaters, Snorkelers & Divers
Use the official Miami-Dade mooring buoys (JC-1 / JC-2) when available—avoid anchoring on or near the reef structure.
Approach the buoy slowly and ideally head-on into the stronger of wind/current; assign a dedicated line handler at the bow.
Do not tie directly to the pick-up line—run your boat line through the pick-up eye and cleat it off to the bow.
Inspect buoy hardware/lines before trusting them; use at your own risk and have a backup plan if the buoy is occupied.
Display a diver-down flag and keep a sharp lookout—this area can be busy with recreational traffic, especially weekends and holidays.
Bring a surface marker buoy for divers/snorkel leaders and keep the group close to the boat in choppy conditions.
Maintain neutral buoyancy and avoid touching corals, gorgonians, sponges, or the reef modules.
Plan around the marine forecast; nearshore Miami Beach visibility can swing quickly with wind, swell, and current.
Best Time to Go
Go when seas are calm and visibility is favorable—often mornings provide the smoothest surface conditions and better clarity before winds build. Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends/holidays. If the ocean is up or boat traffic is heavy, consider postponing or choosing a more protected plan for the day.
Visit Jose Cuervo by BoatPass
BoatPass makes it easy to plan a South Beach reef day without the hassle of ownership. Your BoatPass membership covers captain, fuel, and docking on all trips, so you can focus on timing the weather window, tying into the mooring buoy, and getting in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s an offshore artificial reef site off South Beach/Miami Beach, Florida. Use the pin 25.769067, -80.128133 to navigate to the area; the reef is marked by two official Miami-Dade mooring buoys (JC-1 and JC-2).
The mooring buoys are in about 20 feet of water, making it suitable for snorkeling on calm days and easy scuba profiles for newer divers (conditions permitting).
Despite the “shipwreck” nickname, it’s best described as an artificial reef featuring a concrete ‘margarita bar’ structure with surrounding modules—not a traditional wrecked vessel.
Anchoring is generally not preferred around reefs. Use the mooring buoy when available to avoid damaging the reef and to make your stop quicker and cleaner.
Yes—carry and display a diver-down flag and keep a careful lookout. The site is close to a major beach area and boating traffic can be heavy.
Expect nearshore reef fish around the bar and modules, plus reef growth such as hard corals, gorgonians, and sponges, which provide habitat and photo opportunities.
Start your boating journey today
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Book a BoatPass Trip to Jose Cuervo