With over 1,700 islands strewn across 300 miles, the Florida Keys are a scuba diver’s paradise. The archipelago’s turquoise waters offer incredible visibility, colorful coral reefs, shipwrecks, and a diversity of marine life. From Key Largo down to Key West, intrepid divers can explore the depths at unique sites and state parks throughout the islands.
Wrecks and Reefs of Key Largo
Dubbed the “Diving Capital of the World,” Key Largo is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea preserve in the U.S. The park contains over 70 spectacular sites to explore, including massive corals, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Premier dive spots include:
- Christ of the Abyss: An 8.5ft bronze statue of Christ submerged in 25ft of water.
- Molasses Reef: Shallow reef perfect for beginner divers, with nurse sharks, rays, and moray eels.
- Elbow Reef: Deeper dive site with a 110ft coral-encrusted shipwreck.
- USS Spiegel Grove: 510ft Navy ship deliberately sunk as an artificial reef.
The Middle and Lower Keys
Heading south are incredible reefs accessible from Looe Key Reef down to Big Pine Key. Must-dive spots include:
Lighthouse Reef
- Delta Shoals: Extensive coral mounds and canyons inhabited by goliath groupers.
- French Reef: Impressive reef formations with abundant tropical fish.
Sombrero Reef
- Coral Caverns: Winding coral passages perfect for advanced divers.
- Saxon Wall: Dramatic coral wall diving with sharks, rays, turtles, and eels.
Newfound Harbor Key
- Shark Point: Shallow reef thick with nurse sharks and Southern stingrays.
- Davis Reef: Features a concrete shipwreck encrusted in coral.
The Keys’ Best Wreck Dives
With treacherous waters surrounding the islands, the Florida Keys are filled with historic shipwrecks for wreck diving. Premier sites include:
- Eagle: 287ft ship deliberately sunk off Islamorada in 1985, accessible for all skill levels.
- Thunderbolt: WW2 ship sunk northwest of Key Largo, with penetration opportunities through rooms and halls.
- Benwood: WW2 Liberty ship broken in two parts, advanced dive due to depth and currents.
- City of Washington: Iron steamship dating back to 1871, lying 90ft deep off Key West.
Snorkeling in the Shallows
For those who prefer shallower dives, the Keys offer incredible snorkeling at spots like:
- Looe Key Reef: Part of the sanctuary south of Big Pine Key, exploding with tropical fish and coral.
- Bahia Honda State Park: Clear waters with stunning star corals perfect for snorkelers.
- Anne’s Beach: Popular Key West beach with a shallow wreck right offshore.
- Sombrero Beach: Easy reef access teeming with parrotfish off Marathon Key.
Conclusion
With endless reefs, wrecks, and breathtaking walls of coral, the Florida Keys offer world-class scuba diving and snorkeling for all experience levels. This diver’s paradise continues to lure underwater explorers to its turquoise depths. So grab your gear and take the plunge into the Keys’ beautiful underwater world. Just be sure to watch your air gauge, as you’ll find it hard to surface from these spectacular dive sites!
