Beach Dive Park Reef and Benji's Canyon

Just off the beach in the photo, you can see acres of patch reef and ledges full of life and a key attraction for passing game fish. We often surface swim over this verdant gem, saving it for last, on our way back from the park reef ledges. There, on the west wall of the first primary reef, we find crenulated limestone, with overhangs, ledges, tunnels, caves, and hidey holes.

Clouds of schooling fish hover in blossoms over the structure. Lobsters, eels, and urchins lurk within, sometime spineys march out in challenge to scuba visitors. It is a 15 minute surface swim but well worth the effort and deserving of the best camera work one can manage. After 30 minutes on the ledge, we turn west to enjoy the patch reef, barrel sponges, and coral domes on the way back to the beach.

The park is a sweet value at $4 entry fee, which covers access to all amenities like freshwater showers, clean restrooms, parking, and the famous Whiskey Creek Hideout eatery.

Maximum depth is 25 feet and bottom time is generally 60 minutes.