Carysfort Reef |
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| Description | Caryfort Reef is named after the frigate that long ago ran aground at this site -- the M.S. Carysfort. A tower marks the end of shallow water and the beginning of a relatively steep drop-off to the sandy bottom . At the foot of the tower a gang of barracuda dwell guarding 'their' turf. Large sponges and healthy grouper can be found deeper down. Not many dive boats visit this area due to its outlying location. |
| Location | At the northern boundary of Key Largo's National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park . |
| Max depth | 18 - 36 M / 60 - 120 ft |
| GPS | Not known |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. |
Elbow Reef & City of Washington Shipwreck |
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| Description | Named for the change of direction the reef line takes going south then turning south-west. The City of Washington Wreck, a large steel freighter that went aground in 1791 lies here. Alas, much of the wreck has disintegrated but you'll find a plethora of marine life in and around this site, including arrow crabs, cleaning shrimp, green morays, angelfish, flame oysters and much more. A quiet dive site like its nearby neighbour Caryfort Reef because its remoteness. |
| Location | South of Carysfort, marked by a tower. Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 6 M / 20 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. |
White Banks - Dry Rocks |
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| Description | A very popular dive site which is famous for having a statue of Christ on the sandy bottom. Brain coral is also present and is something that the statue is pointing at, perhaps hinting at something? Several large groupers and the usual hordes of yellowtail snapper are found here regularly. |
| Location | Continuing southwest along the reef line from Elbow Reef. Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 7 M / 22 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, snorkel site |
Grecian Rocks |
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| Description | A very shallow dive site more suited to snorkelers than divers due to its extremely shallow depths. Elkhorn coral is quite prominent here as is brain coral. |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 1.5 - 2 M / 4 - 6 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Boat. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, ideal snorkel site, surge present. |
Benwood Shipwreck |
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| Description | The remains of the wooden Benwood Wreck are marked by a spar buoy and four mooring buoys established and maintained by the Pennekamp Park staff. There's a few rotting timbers and a pile of ballast stones here. You'll find plenty of fire coral, sea fans and small sponges around the wreck site. Tiny jawfish also live near the wreck but are incredibily shy. |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 9 M / 30 Ft |
| GPS | |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. |
French Reef |
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| Description | With a great combination of swim-through caves and impressive ledges . Christmas Tree Cave, just west of buoy F3 offers an easy swim-through. Within there are a school of copper-sweepers who shun the light for the safe and shadowy environment of this shallow reef cave. Just landward of the same buoy is Hourglass Cave, featuring a distinct "hour glass" shaped column that splits the cave in two, one side slightly larger than the other. French Reef also boasts a great shallows area with healthy stands of elkhorn coral and a nice deep reef with large sponges and well developed coral heads in a classic spur and groove formation. Overall a very good dive site. |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 11 M / 35 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. |
Mollasses Reef |
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| Description | Molasses Reef is a jewel amongst the coral reefs in the Florida Keys. Its Beautiful, lush coral formations are interspersed with white sandy patches, featuring lots of mini-caves and countless ledges. This is the ideal spot to find many small fish, lobsters, crabs, moray eels, angelfish, filefish, jawfish. |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 10 M / 33 Ft (Est) |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, a busy dive site, Marine Sanctuary Officers AKA the 'Dive Police' are present. |
Bibb Shipwreck |
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| Description | An unusual named vessel that formerly belonged to the US Coast Guard. Now it sits on its side in a good depth of water. Due its moderate depth and position only experienced /Technical Divers should consider diving this site . |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 41 M / 135 Ft |
| GPS | Not known |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, deep dive site. |
Duane Shipwreck |
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| Description | Duane is often mentioned as a text-book example of the perfect artificial reef. Intentionally sunk on November 27, 1987, the 427 foot long Duane sits upright on the sandy bottom with t he bow pointing into the prevailing northerly current . The majestic crow's nest tower reaches to within 50 feet of the surface, and the ship offers many decks and open rooms to explore without fear of getting lost. Barracuda lurk on this dive site in numbers. |
| Location | Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. |
| Max depth | 36 M / 120 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. |
Jules' Undersea Lodge |
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| Description | In 1986 two dedicated aquanauts started initiated a ground-breaking project that culminated in the construction of the only underwater hotel in the world! It is one of only two underwater habitats open to civilian divers and offers a totally different aspect to diving. Occupants wishing to dive simply hook-up to the habitats unlimited oxygen supply and depart to explore the sea floor. |
| Location | Situated within a lagoon in Key Largo at mile marker 103.5 |
| Max depth | 9 M / 30 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Not known |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. Unique dive experience. |
Conch Reef |
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| Description | This horse-shoe shaped dive site is well noted for being far deeper than most other dive sites in the keys. The shallow sloping sea bed suddenly drops off into the depths. The large number of barrel sponges augments the vast numbers of marine life. NOAA scientists have a small 'wet' habitat set up here and study the oceanic environment for change. The habitat (Aquarius Underwater Research Facility) is usually surrounded by fish so spotting it is not difficult. That said it is removed for maintenance on occasion. |
| Location | Just north of Little Conch Reef. |
| Max depth | 3 - 36+ M / 10 - 120+ Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Boat. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site. NOAA research area. |
Little Conch Reef |
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| Description | Large gorgonians and barrel sponges are here in numbers which take advantage of the northerly currents in this area. Large loggerhead turtles and lobsters visit and dwell on the dive site. In the shallows, some strong stands of staghorn coral can be found and show signs of fast growth. |
| Location | Just south of Conch Reef. |
| Max depth | 4.5 - 9 M / 15 - 30 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, turtles, lobsters. |
Pickles Reef |
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| Description | This dive site takes it's name from the pickle barrels filled with mortar left during the Civil War days. Stands of Pillar coral which are rare nowadays can be found amongst other corals. on this pretty reef in 12-25 feet. Tropical fish are aplenty |
| Location | Not known. |
| Max depth | 4 - 7 M / 12 - 25 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Shoreline / Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, snorkeling site. |
Pillar Coral Patch |
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| Description | A small but no less important dive site is this one which features the rarely seen Pillar Coral which rises up towards the surface from the shallows. Such a rarity that it is many dive operators are reluctant to feature this dive site openly in their brochures. On enquiry though they usually offer the dive site. |
| Location | Not known. |
| Max depth | 6 M / 20 Ft |
| GPS | Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) | Dive Resort. |
| Imagery | |
| Special Remarks | Saltwater site, unique dive site. |