Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs (MBARA)
The Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs are more than 315 man-made reefs built and placed by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA) off the coast of Mexico Beach in Bay County, Florida. They are made up of more than 4,000 structures weighing 1,000 to 50,000 pounds, and they sit in nine areas the government has permitted for reef placement. Divers and anglers are the main visitors, and the one thing to know is that MBARA's Local Reefs page lists every reef, with a dedicated page for each one.
Should you go to Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs (MBARA) today?
Go, but check conditions first
- Breezy, up to 15 mph.
- Moderate rip current risk.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Up to 71°F.
- Mon 19Breezy, up to 15 mph
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 5 mph
Weather at Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs (MBARA), today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 am | Sunny | 54°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 9 am | Sunny | 59°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 11 am | Sunny | 64°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 1 pm | Sunny | 69°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 3 pm | Sunny | 70°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 5 pm | Sunny | 69°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
Beach and surf
| Rip Current Risk | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Surf Height | Around 1 foot |
| Water Temperature | 78 degrees |
| UV Index | High |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 6:45 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:08 pm |
| Question visitors ask | Where are the Mexico Beach artificial reefs? |
|---|---|
| County | Bay County |
| Official site | mbara.org |
Where are the Mexico Beach artificial reefs?
The Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs are spread across nine areas that the City of Mexico Beach and the government have permitted for reef placement, and the locations are not copied into this guide. MBARA's Local Reefs page lists all reef sites, and visitors can search for a reef by name or scroll the full list. Each reef has its own page with a written description, pictures and videos.
The Local Reefs page also has separate lists for Memorial Reef Sites, Reef Education, Individual and Corporate Sponsorship Reefs, and Memorial Reefs Waiting to be Deployed.
How do you get to the Mexico Beach reefs and where do you park?
The city's water recreation page says parking is available at the public boat ramp and at the south end of Canal Parkway for fishing trips. Trailer parking is at the public boat ramp, which gives access to the Gulf of Mexico through the city's canal system. Visitors who come to the beach can park on South 37th Street and in several beach-side areas along Highway 98.
The city's page does not describe the boat route from the ramp to each reef area, so check with MBARA or a local dive operator before you go.
What rules apply on the water near the reefs?
The city asks boaters in the canal system to keep speed to idle only, to avoid disposing of any materials, including fish carcasses and unused bait, and not to swim in the canals. The city's page also asks visitors not to disturb nesting sea turtles, and not to shine lights on the beach at night.
The city page does not list separate dive or reef rules, so check with MBARA and the city before you go.
When should you go?
MBARA's reef list is available year-round on its website. The City of Mexico Beach says the May to October turtle nesting season is especially important for its lighting standards, so check the city's rules before you go during those months. The city also says the public pier was wiped out by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and that it is working with FEMA to rebuild it by 2027, so check the status of the pier before you plan a trip that depends on it.
Mexico Beach Artificial Reefs (MBARA): questions visitors ask
Where are the Mexico Beach artificial reefs?
MBARA's Local Reefs page lists all of the more than 315 reefs, and each reef has its own page with a description, pictures and videos. Visitors can search for a reef by name or scroll through the full list on that page.
How many artificial reefs are there off Mexico Beach?
MBARA says it has built and deployed more than 315 reefs off the coast of Mexico Beach, made up of more than 4,000 structures that weigh between 1,000 and 50,000 pounds. The reefs are placed in nine areas that the government has permitted for that purpose.
Who runs the Mexico Beach artificial reefs?
The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA) builds and places the reefs in partnership with the City of Mexico Beach. The city says MBARA gets grants with the city's help and also raises its own funds to add reefs.
Where can you park to fish or access the water at Mexico Beach?
The city says parking is available at the public boat ramp and at the south end of Canal Parkway. Visitors going to the beach can also park on South 37th Street and in several beach-side areas along Highway 98.
Is the public pier open at Mexico Beach?
The city says the public pier was wiped out by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and that it is working with FEMA to rebuild it by 2027. Check with the City of Mexico Beach before you go, because the rebuild status may have changed since the city's page was last updated.
What turtle rules apply at Mexico Beach during nesting season?
The city says its nesting season runs from May to October. Visitors should stay at least 30 feet from a turtle that is crawling to or from the ocean or laying eggs, avoid shining lights on the beach at night, and avoid walking on the dunes or in the nesting area.
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