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The Trench aka Outfall Trench or Moray Alley is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in West Palm Beach, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 3.50 out of 5 from 10 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m.

26.7053833333333 -80.01705

This reef takes its name from the 15-foot wide trench cut through the middle of the reef to make way for two large trans-atlantic communication cables.

This unique dive site is located four miles south of the Palm Beach Inlet. Also known as Moray Alley and Outfall Trench, this reef takes its name from the 15-foot wide trench cut through the middle of the reef. Two large trans-atlantic communication cables lie in the trench and a third lies about 50 yards south. The trench features sheer walls eight to ten feet high that lie 55’ feet under the water.

Sheltered from the current, divers can explore all the holes and undercuts for fish and other marine life. At the end of the trench lays piles of rock and an old outfall pipe which are now covered in soft coral and sponges. Though many species of fish congregate near the cables, this site is known for its abundance of moray eels including green, spotted, purplemouth, and goldentail eels.

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Comments

joe_bird - 11/12/2023 1:43 AM
I went scuba diving here on 11/11/2023. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.
SharkyDiver - 8/11/2014 9:38 AM
Rating Added: 4
I love the drift dives in this area.
sanityassassin - 3/15/2014 6:26 PM
Rating Added: 3
I enjoy night dives on this site.
bvarn1 - 1/31/2014 7:52 PM
I went scuba diving here on 8/21/2010. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.
Seadragon - 1/30/2014 2:17 AM
I went scuba diving here on 1/19/2014. Average viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.
This was one of my easiest and fastest descents ever. Location named for trench that was dug for cables but the cables missed the trench. Lots of fish life here. Nurse shark hanging out under a ledge, turtle taking a nap and green moray peeking out of his hole. The lion fish tamer has been officially broken in with my first kill. It was tucked into the side of a sponge.
iamdean - 12/15/2013 9:34 PM
I went scuba diving here on 12/1/2013. Average viz: 51-60ft/16-18m.
A nice drift dive. The Trench did not show much. There were too many divers bunched together and the bottom got messy.
The sea was much calmer than the two days prior. Short dive as most in my group had gone through their tank quickly and I felt I would not keep up with the dive leader who was going lion fish hunting.
billsoccer - 7/21/2013 7:57 PM
Rating Added: 3
Was there 7/17/13. Your results may vary - a severe thermocline existed so this spoiled some of the enjoyment for us. The site minus the trench would not be memorable. However, the trench provides a protected area for wildlife that makes it worth visiting.