Turtle Shoal |
| Description |
This dive site is more suited to snorkelers and swimmers than divers as its extremely shallow depths make actual scuba diving here almost pointless. The coral itself though is of the usual pretty standard found in the area. |
| Location |
Not known. |
| Max depth |
4.5 M / 15 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site, snorkeler site. |
Coffins Patch Reef |
| Description |
This is a healthy reef with pillar, star and convoluted brain coral which totally cover the shallow patch reef. All five angelfish species found in the Keys are at this dive site : queen, blue, French, gray and rock beauty.
|
| Location |
4.6 miles off Marathon |
| Max depth |
4 - 9 M / 15 - 30 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site. |
Delta Shoal |
| Description |
The remains of the Ignacio wreck from 1733 fleet lies amongst the corals of the Delta Shoal. Also here is the remains of the Ivory Coast wreck, a slave trading vessel which went aground in 1853 carrying human cargo and ivory from Africa
|
| Location |
Not known. |
| Max depth |
4 M / 15 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site, snorkeler site. |
East Washerwomen Shoal |
| Description |
This dive site is more suited to snorkelers and swimmers than divers as its extremely shallow depths make actual scuba diving here almost pointless. The coral itself though is of the usual pretty standard found in the area. |
| Location |
Not known. |
| Max depth |
4 M / 15 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site, snorkeler site. |
The Thunderbolt Wreck |
| Description |
A stalwart amongst the many wrecks of the Florida Keys.
Once used for studying lightning she was placed off Marathon by local dive operators in 1985. Highly visable via the permanent marker buoy affixed to her. Popular spots on the wreck include the massive twin propellers, the engine room and the bow of the ship where giant barracudas are hanging out. |
| Location |
Offshore from Marathon . |
| Max depth |
26 M / 85 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site. |
Sombrero Reef |
| Description |
Only is Sombrero Key, the most popular and largest coral reef system in this area. Dozens of menacing-looking large barracuda guard the 142 foot tower. In addition to the deeper sections of the reef located on the ocean side, this reef offers a healthy shallow area between the tower and shore. Highlights of this site include a natural coral bridge known as "the arch" featuring a healthy assortment of gorgonians, sea fans, sponges and hard corals. |
| Location |
Three miles offshore of the north end of the seven-mile bridge. |
| Max depth |
Not known. |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site. |
Looe Key Reef |
| Description |
Looe Key Reef is best described as a vibrant tongue and groove reef system, the reef takes its name from the HMS Looe which went aground here in a storm in 1744. The remains can still be found to the east of the reef albeit in poor condition.
You'll find a large number of buoys here, as well as a crowd of commercial dive boats, small boaters and rentals.
The reef profile starts in the shallows before dropping down somewhat, thus making it a favorite destination of both snorkelers and divers.
Key features of Looe Key are easy access, clear waters, good fish populations and a variety of corals, sea fans, anemones, crabs, lobsters, shrimp and sponges. |
| Location |
Near Big Pine Key. |
| Max depth |
2 - 12 M / 6 - 40 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site, lobsters, snorkel site. |
The Adolphus Busch Shipwreck |
| Description |
The Adolphus Busch Sr. is the first new artificial reef to be sunk in the Florida Keys in over a decade. The wreck was named after the patriarch of the Busch brewing family. It was sunk in December 1999 on an almost cloudless day with over 700 spectators present.
This freighter is over 200 ft long and settled upright and intact in the sand. The dive sites offers a pristine condition wreck and serves to divert some of the crowd away from the extremely popular Looe Key area. |
| Location |
Six miles southwest of Big Pine Key. |
| Max depth |
30 M / 100 Ft |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Shoreline / Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site. |
Content Keys |
| Description |
The shallow waters that surround these keys are full of turtle grass and oyster beds, and offer a safe environment for juvenile marine life of many varieties. Small coral heads with brilliant sponges and colorful encrusting corals are home to many small fish.
The far easterly location make this a good choice for avoiding the crowds and/or as a back-up dive site when conditions are unfavourable elsewhere. |
| Location |
The Content Keys area. |
| Max depth |
Not known. |
| GPS |
Not known. |
| Launch Site(s) |
Dive Resort / Pier / Mooring. |
| Imagery |
|
| Special Remarks |
Saltwater site. |
