Erl King Shipwreck - 1865 Iron-Hulled Steamer

Barrell shaped concrete object resting in the bones of an underwater shipwreck

The outline of an iron-hulled steamer rests 18 feet below the surface of Long Reef—a 306-foot vessel named Erl King, built in Glasgow in 1865. The ship ran aground here in December 1891 while en route to New Orleans from Swansea, England, and was abandoned after salvage attempts. Today, visitors can see the hull's silhouette and the ship's cargo: concrete casts that once were wooden barrels filled with dry concrete mix, their wooden forms long consumed by shipworms, leaving only stone impressions behind.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 25.424639, -80.124389
Accessibility: Boat launch with ramp at Convoy Point and Boca Chita. Water access requires swimming ability or snorkeling skills. Water depth 18 feet; no accessible viewing from shore.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Other shipwrecks: Alicia, Arratoon Apcar, Lugano, Mandalay, 19th Century Wooden Sailing Vessel. Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Boca Chita Key. Elliott Key.
Nearby Facilities: Boat ramps, picnic areas, and restrooms at Convoy Point and Boca Chita. Visitor centers with interpretive displays at park headquarters (Convoy Point). No fuel or supplies on islands.
Best Time To Visit: December to April for calmest seas and clearest water visibility.
Tips Advice: Bring an underwater camera or snorkel gear to photograph the wreck.
Look for the concrete cargo casts—barrels long hollowed by shipworms.
Visibility improves on calm days; avoid murky water after storms.
Check boating forecasts and tidal conditions before launching.
Marine life is abundant; maintain 25-yard distance from dolphins and sea turtles.
Insider Tips: The concrete cargo casts are the remnants of wooden barrels filled with dry concrete mix—shipworms hollowed the wood centuries ago.
Best visibility occurs on calm, sunny days after winter cold fronts.
Bring polarized sunglasses and a fish-and-wildlife identification guide.
Coordinate your visit with tidal windows for easier navigation.
Snorkel photos are clearest in morning light when shadows are minimal.

More details

Park Area: Long Reef
Family Friendly Notes: Children must wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets on boats. Snorkeling requires swimming ability and adult supervision. Not recommended for very young children or weak swimmers due to open water and depth.
Attraction Type: Shipwreck / Maritime Archaeological Site
Elevation Feet: 0
Distance From Entrance: Accessible by private boat from Convoy Point or Boca Chita marina launch areas.
Accessibility Level: Boat and swimming/snorkeling required. Moderate to advanced water skills needed.
How To Get There: Launch a private boat or kayak from Convoy Point or Boca Chita marina. Navigate to Long Reef (coordinates: 25.424639, -80.124389). Allow time for boat travel and tidal conditions.
Parking Availability: Parking available at Convoy Point and Boca Chita launch areas; fill times vary seasonally.
Road Type: Boat access only.
Seasonal Access: Year-round access; weather and water conditions affect visibility and boating safety.
Entry Fees: No additional fee beyond park entrance. Covered by America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or daily entrance fee.
Main Features: 1865 iron-hulled steamer hull outline, concrete cargo casts, 19th-century shipwreck remains, maritime historical site.
What Youll See: Hull outline in 18 feet of water, barrel-shaped concrete objects (formerly wooden barrels), iron hull plates, sand and coral surrounding the wreck.
Unique Characteristics: Built 1865 in Glasgow, Scotland by A. and J. Inglis Shipbuilders. Named after German mythical elf Erlkonig. Wrecked December 1891 carrying cargo from England. Hull plates salvaged as WWII scrap metal. Cargo remains remarkably preserved as concrete casts.
Safety Considerations: Water depth: 18 feet. Boating hazards: afternoon thunderstorms (summer), strong currents, and shallow reefs. Wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Snorkeling hazards: limited visibility in poor conditions, marine life encounters (maintain 25-yard distance from dolphins/turtles). Check weather forecasts before departing.
Best Viewpoints: From boat deck directly above the wreck; snorkeling position for close-up views of cargo and hull structure.
Photo Opportunities: Aerial drone shots from boat showing hull outline, underwater snorkel photos of cargo casts and hull remnants, close-up shots of concrete barrel forms.
Photography Spots: Boat deck facing the wreck for surface views; snorkel/dive position for underwater composition; early morning light for best drone footage.
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Flush facilities at Convoy Point and Boca Chita visitor areas.
Picnic Areas: 1
Interpretive Signs: 0
Cell Service: Variable; unreliable on open water. Download maps and coordinates before launching.
Water Available: 1
Guided Tours Available: 0
Trailheads Here: Boat access only; no hiking trails.
Connecting Trails: None; boat access only.
Nearby Services: Boat launches at Convoy Point and Boca Chita. Restrooms, picnic facilities at Convoy Point visitor area. Supplies and fuel nearest in Homestead or Florida Keys.
Common Wildlife: Grouper, snapper, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, tropical fish, seabirds.
Best Wildlife Times: Year-round; dolphins and sea turtles common in all seasons.
Geological Formation Type: Shipwreck
Scientific Interest: Maritime archaeology, 19th-century iron shipbuilding techniques, preservation of organic and inorganic cargo under saltwater conditions, historical documentation of Atlantic shipping routes.
Road Opening Dates: Year-round access; no seasonal road closures.
Winter Access: Year-round; best December–April for calm seas and clear water.
Best Visit Times: Early morning for calmest water conditions and best visibility.
Best Season: December to April.
Weather Patterns: Summer: afternoon thunderstorms common; high heat and humidity. Winter: calm seas, lower wind, excellent boating conditions. Spring: variable weather, occasional squalls. Fall: hurricane risk.
Peak Fill Times: Marina and boat launch areas busiest mid-morning; consider dawn or late-afternoon departure to avoid crowds.
Busiest Season: December–April (winter refuge season) and spring break (March–April).
Fishing Species: Grouper, snapper, permit, tarpon, various tropical saltwater species.
Fishing Nearby: 1
Swimming Allowed: 1
Boating Allowed: 1
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Visitors appreciate the Erl King as a tangible connection to maritime history—the visible hull and cargo tell the story of 19th-century shipping and the ocean's patience in preservation. Most arrive by private boat or snorkel tour and spend 30–60 minutes observing and photographing. Weather and water clarity are the primary variables in visitor satisfaction.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Can I see the wreck from my boat without snorkeling?

Yes. The hull outline is visible in 18 feet of water from directly above in calm conditions. Snorkeling or diving reveals more detail and photographable cargo remains, but surface viewing is possible.

What happened to the Erl King, and when?

The ship ran aground on Long Reef on December 16, 1891, while en route to New Orleans from Swansea, England. It was abandoned after salvage attempts. Iron hull plates were later used as scrap metal during World War II.

Is it safe to snorkel around the wreck?

Yes, when following standard boating and marine safety protocols. Maintain 25-yard distance from marine life (dolphins, sea turtles). Wear a life jacket on the boat and check weather and visibility before entering the water.

Can I take souvenirs or artifacts from the wreck?

No. The shipwreck is a protected historical site. All artifacts and structural remains are protected by National Park Service regulations.

When is the best time for visibility?

December through April offers calmest seas and clearest water. Avoid the site after recent storms when sediment clouds the water. Early morning departures yield the calmest conditions.