Key Largo Reefs and Wrecks |
Below are some of the more popular reefs and wrecks that Keys Diver frequents.
Our daily snorkel trips are as follows:
9 am Morning Snorkel Tour - White Banks Dry Rocks
12:15 pm Afternoon Snorkel Tour - Grecian Rocks, Key Largo Dry Rocks (Christ Statue) & Captain's Choice
5:30 Sunset Tour (May - September) White Banks
Scuba Trips are open to Divers and Snorkelers. Molasses Reef is an excellent spot
for both. The water is slightly deeper, but the reef offers larger corals as well as
sea life. We often see sea turtles, eel and Goliath Grouper
The Wreck of the Benwood is the only wreck that snorkelers can do
providing we have great visability.
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THE ELBOW
Depth Range: 12-35 feet
Experience Level: Novice |
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Named for the angular shape of the reef, it is a classic example of spurs and grooves meandering down the slope of the reef. The coral fingers are extremely well-defined and are separated by level passages of clean sand; some of the spurs are high enough to be considered miniwalls. Corals and fish abound here but wrecks hold the secret to the appeal of this site. The Civil War Wreck, a 752 ton steamer sunk in 1866 has lovely fingers of elkhorn coral situated at depths of 6-18 feet. The remains of two more wrecks, probably a tug and a barge are also scattered in this area. |
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KEY LARGO DRY ROCKS
Depth Range: Shallow to 25 feet
Experience Level: Novice |
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By far the most famous dive in the Key Largo Marine Sanctuary. The Statue of Christ of the Abyss (also known as Christ of the Deep), rests on a concrete base located within a short canyon. This area is also celebrated for its marvelous specimens of brain coral and the eastern side of the reef displays classic coral fingers which are rich in marine life. Smoky, the celebrated barracuda, is a regular here. This area also includes Grecian Rocks an extremely popular reef among snorkelers.
The Christ Statue was cast in Italy and donated to the Underwater Society of America by Egidi Cressi, an Italian industrialist and diving equipment manufacturer. It is a 9 foot tall bronze duplicate of the Christ of the Abysses statue, which stands in 50 feet of water off Genoa, Italy. Set in a beautiful reef area known for its outstanding brain corals, the figure of Christ stands silhouetted against the blue waters of the ocean, His arms upraised to the surface. This dramatic and memorable picture is one that most diving visitors to the Keys shouldn't miss. |
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WHITE BANKS DRY ROCKS
Depth Range: Shallow to 15 feet
Experience Level: Novice |
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White Banks is a series of two shallow reef patches conected by a sandy channel. Located close to shore, it's currents are low and it is often sheltered from the winds. It's fish and invertabrae life is enormous and snorkeling along these shallow but brilliantly colored reefs is an excellent experience. Keys Diver usually visits White Banks on our morning and sunset snorkel tours. |
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GRECIAN ROCKS
Depth Range: Shallow to 25 feet
Experience Level: Novice |
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Grecian Rocks is an exceptionally popular reef for snorkelers. The grass and sand on the back side provide good anchorage, and the shallow reef buffers the waves so the waters are very calm even on windy days. It is very easy for snorkelers to swim from the boat up to the reefline where the corals and brightly colored fish abound. |
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Snorkeling Grecian Rocks
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THE BENWOOD
Depth Range: 50 feet offshore
20 feet inshore
Experience Level: Novice to
Intermediate |
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An English built cargo vessel lost in a tragic chain of events in 1942. The Benwood rests on a level expanse of sand noticeably lacking in coral growth, so apart from the wreck itself there is comparatively little to see. Its fractured stern lies directly beneath the marker at a depth of 2 feet, while its bow points offshore at a depth of 45 feet. The bow section looms up out of the sand, in contrast with the rest of the ship which is almost wholly submerged. |
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FRENCH REEF
Depth Range: Shallow to 100 feet
Experience Level: Novice to Advanced |
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An exceptionally beautiful site, the ever popular reef is crammed full of caves, canyons, ledges, tunnels and swim-throughs. French Reef is home to innumerable fish species. |
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Christmas Tree Worms on French Reef
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MOLASSES REEF
Depth Range: Shallow to 40 feet
Experience Level: Novice to
Intermediate |
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Reigns as the world's most popular dive site. The reef comprises a classic spur and groove system which begins near the surface and falls of gradually to a depth of 55 ft. It is washed by the Gulf Stream, so visibility is usually excellent. Impressive concentrations of marine flora and fauna cover just about the entire tropical reef spectrum. |
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BIBB & DUANE
Depth Range: 50-130 feet
Experience Level: Advanced |
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Twin 327' coast guard cutters were painstakingly sunk in 1987 as part of an artificial reef program sponsored by the Keys Association of Dive Operators. The Duane, more frequently dived because of her depth, lies upright with a slight list to starboard at a depth of about 100 ft. The Bibb overturned while sinking and lies on her starboard side; you will begin to reach the ship's exterior at a depth of 95 ft. Both ships are a equally rewarding dive with a fascinating history. With extremely powerful currents you may occasionally have to postpone your dive. |
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SPIEGEL GROVE
Depth Range: 45 to 130 feet
Experience Level: Advanced |
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Sunk June 10, 2002, the Spiegel Grove is largest vessel intentionally sunk to make an artificial reef. The ship was designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious landings, and was retired by the Navy in 1989. After more than three years resting on its starboard side, waves from Hurricane Dennis pushed the 510-foot U.S. Navy ship Spiegel Grove into an upright position, before the hurricane brushed the Florida Keys July 9, 2005 leaving no significant lasting damage. |
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The Spiegle Grove
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