Benwood

The Benwood is a World War II-era English-built cargo vessel resting on a sandy bottom in the Florida Keys. The ship was damaged in a collision during wartime blackout conditions and sank in 1942. The stern sits at around 25 feet (7.6 m) and the bow extends to approximately 45–50 feet (14–15 m), making it one of the shallowest and most accessible wreck dives in the region. The bow is the most intact section, with portions of the hull and outer walls still visible, while the rest of the structure offers an open layout with no overhead environments.

The wreck's nooks, crevices, and open framework shelter green moray eels, shrimp, and spiny lobsters, with schools of tropical fish moving throughout the structure. The sandy bottom makes navigation straightforward, and the shallow depth provides strong natural light across the site.

Current at the Benwood is usually light, and visibility across the Florida Keys generally runs 30–60 feet (9–18 m). Water temperature ranges from 24–31°C (75–88°F) year-round, with the cooler end occurring in winter months (January–March). The site is diveable in all seasons. Fire coral is present on and around the wreck and warrants attention.