Marathon Thunderbolt Wreck Dive Trip

She started life as a cable-laying vessel. Then she became a research platform — a ship specifically outfitted to study the electrical energy of lightning strikes, sending bolts of electricity into the sea while scientists measured what happened below. On March 3, 1986, the local dive community purchased her and sank her deliberately just off Marathon, creating one of the most fascinating artificial reefs in the Florida Keys.

Nearly forty years later, the Thunderbolt — the T-Bolt, as divers around here call her — sits completely upright in 120 feet of water, 189 feet of steel encrusted with coral and swarming with life at every depth. She is the signature wreck dive of the Middle Keys, and she never gets old.

The Wreck at a Glance

•       Length: 189 feet

•       Depth: 120 feet to the sand and aft propellers, corridor at 108 feet

•       Orientation: Standing completely upright

•       Sunk: March 3, 1986 — nearly 40 years of reef growth

•       Difficulty: Advanced — depth, potential current, and wreck environment require experience

•       Marine life: Goliath Grouper, barracuda, sharks, moray eels, pelagic and reef species throughout the structure

How We Run the T-Bolt

The Thunderbolt is an on-request dive that we schedule around the divers who want it. When you express interest, our team goes to work filling the trip to the minimum of five advanced divers. Most of the time, we make it happen.

The standard approach: wreck first, then a second dive on a shallower reef — two locations, two dives, one exceptional morning on the water. For divers who want to go deeper into the wreck, we also run Double T-Bolt dives with appropriate surface time between. There is no better way to truly learn the Thunderbolt.

Tell us when you’re in Marathon and how long you’re here. We’ll work the schedule to get you on this wreck.

Requirements

The T-Bolt is an advanced dive. Depth, potential current, and the wreck environment demand experience and sound judgment underwater.

•       Advanced Open Water Diver certification required — bring your certification card

•       No junior divers — the depth of this wreck exceeds junior diver limits

•       Minimum 5 advanced divers required for the trip to operate

•       If it has been more than one year since your last scuba dive, your first dive will be accompanied by one of our complimentary dive guides

•       If it has been more than two years since your last scuba dive, a Scuba Refresher course is required before joining this trip

Schedule

•       Departure times: 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM

•       Duration: Approximately 4 hours

•       Check in 60 minutes before departure (Important)

•       Location: Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center, 11833 Overseas Highway at Vaca Cut Oceanside, Marathon, FL

What’s Included

•       Tanks, air fills, weights, and weight belt

•       Complimentary in-water dive guide

•       Freshwater showers at the dock

•       Energy and Recovery Pack — our Marathon location offers a Skratch Labs hydration and recovery pack add-on to help you feel your best before and after deep dives

What to Bring

•       Bathing suit and towel

•       Sunglasses

•       Reef-safe sunscreen — strongly recommended to protect our reef ecosystem

•       Gloves and underwater light recommended for wreck exploration

•       Dive equipment (available to rent at the shop if needed)

Dive Preparedness

In the interest of your safety, please be aware of the following:

•       If it has been more than one year since your last scuba dive, your first dive will be accompanied by one of our complimentary dive guides.

•       If it has been more than two years since your last scuba dive, you will be required to take a Scuba Refresher course before joining this trip.

Ready to Dive the T-Bolt?

Call us at 305-743-2444 to tell us when you’re in Marathon. Our team will work to schedule your T-Bolt dive and confirm availability. You can also book online — this is an on-request product and we will confirm your reservation as quickly as possible after booking.

Advance booking is strongly recommended. The T-Bolt fills from divers who plan ahead — don’t miss her.

Notes

•       Gratuities for our dive crew are greatly appreciated but entirely optional.

•       This activity may be cancelled due to wind, weather, visibility, or sea conditions. You will be offered a reschedule, full refund, store credit, or credit toward a future trip.

•       Minimum of 5 advanced divers required. If the minimum is not met, the same options apply.

•       Guests cannot participate if under the influence of drugs or alcohol or with medical conditions that put themselves or others at risk.

•       You are responsible for confirming you are medically qualified to participate in this activity.