Scuba diving in the Florida Keys offers an unparalleled experience for divers seeking a lively and diverse underwater world. From historical wreck diving to vibrant reefs, the Florida Keys offer a unique and exciting diving experience for both novice and experienced divers alike.
The Florida Keys are part of the third largest barrier reef system in the world, still inhabited by a wealth of living coral and plenty of marine species (sharks, eagle rays, spotted eagle rays, goliath grouper weighing hundreds of pounds, and many large marine creatures).
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through some of the most iconic diving locations in the Keys such as Key Largo, Islamorada, and Key West.
We’ll also cover top dive spots like Molasses Reef and Christ of the Abyss that showcase stunning coral formations teeming with tropical fish.
If you are looking to book your next holiday in the Florida keys, you will also find a curated list of dive shops and diving resorts.
Diving in the Florida Keys: Overview
The Florida Keys offer some of the best diving experiences in the USA’s west coast, with a variety of dive sites suitable for divers of all levels.
The coral cay archipelago located in the southern coast of Florida offers a plethora of underwater attractions. From historical wrecks to wall diving, the Keys are really a paradise for divers seeking the ultimate diving experience in the US.
The lower keys, including Big Pine Key and Looe Key, offer some of the best diving for the more advanced divers, with sites like the Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas National Park providing unique opportunities to explore natural and artificial reefs and encounter marine life like reef sharks, green moray eels, and sea fans.
For those looking for a truly unforgettable experience, a trip to the Dry Tortugas is a must.
This remote national park is home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world, with crystal clear waters and abundant tropical fish species.
Key Largo: Wreck Diving Paradise
Key Largo is probably the most famous across the Florida Keys, as it boasts some world class wreck dive sites. The two most famous wrecks are the City of Washington and the Duane.
The City of Washington was a steam ship built in 1877 and sunk in Key Largo’s Elbow Reef in 1917. It lies at a depth of 25 feet (minimum depth 16ft and max depth 34ft) and is easily reachable with a 30 minutes boat ride. The shipwreck is relatively shallow, making it also one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Key Largo.
The Duane Shipwreck was a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter built in 1936 and sunk on November 27, 1987 in the Molasses Reef. The wreck lies upright on a sandy bottom in 120 feet of water one mile south of Key Largo.
Besides amazing wreck dives, you can also dive spectacular reefs in Key Largo. The most famous one being the Molasses reef.
Molasses Reef, located off Key Largo, is one of the most popular dive spots in the Florida Keys. This vibrant reef boasts an array of colorful corals and sponges that attract diverse marine life such as parrotfish, angelfish, and nurse sharks.
Islamorada: Paradise for Beginner Divers and Snorkelers
Islamorada is home to French Reef, a popular dive site with a variety of coral formations and marine life, including nurse sharks and spotted stingrays.
If you are travelling with a snorkeling partner, of if you are a newly certified diver, Islamorada is definitely for you. Most diving spots in Islamorada have a starting depth between 10 to 15 feet, making it ideal for shallow recreational diving.
Despite the shallow depths, Islamorada also offers a wealth of reefs and shipwrecks. Among the most famous dive spots, you will find the Alexander Barge and the Alligator Reef.
The Alexander Barge is an amaznig wreck dive at a depth from 80 to 105 feet. This shipwreck was deliberately sunk in 1984 to form an artificial reef, that was complemented a year later by the remains of the old Whale Harbor Bridge. Nowadays, both hard and soft corals have started forming on the artificial reef and plenty of marine life has started inhabiting it. Among others, you will be able to spot snappers, grunts, jack fish, barracudas, lobsters, and large groupers.
The Alligator Reef is former gun shooner lying at a depth from 20 to 72 feet. The ship sunk in 1825 while on a navy mission, and was originally built to chase pirates navigating the area. Various kinds of underwater life inhabit the area, soft and hard corals grew on the reef also there are plenty of tropical fish.
Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park
Key West is home to the Dry Tortugas National Park, which boasts some of the most pristine and untouched coral reefs in the world.
The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane, but the journey (2 hours by private speedboat or 40 minutes by seaplane) is worth it to see the abundant marine life, including green moray eels, sea fans, and large schools of fish.
If you are planning on diving the Tortugas National Park, you will need to book a private dive trip as the seaplane is not an option and the ferry will not allow you to carry scuba tanks. The only dive shop that is currently organizing dive trips to the Dry Tortugas National Park is the Finz Dive Center.
The day trip might be a bit expensive, however note that the diving at Dry Tortugas National Park is way superior than in any other place in the Florida Keys. This is one of the very few places where you will spot 30” hogfish regularly, black groupers and huge Goliath groupers.
Lower Keys
The Lower Keys offer a variety of dive spots, including Looe Key, an underwater paradise with a diverse array of marine life, and the Adolphus Busch, an artificial reef created by sinking a former shrimp boat.
Marathon
Marathon is home to Sombrero Reef, a shallow coral reef system that is perfect for beginner divers and snorkelers. The reef is teeming with colorful fish and sea life, including parrotfish, angelfish, and sea turtles.
Sombrero, a mostly shallow dive, is also a perfect spot for snorkeling. If you are interested in a snorkeling trip, i recommend checking out The Starfish. They offer daily snorkeling tours to Sombrero.
Top Dive Sites in the Florida Keys
On top of the mainstream divespots, the Florida Keys really have hundreds of amazing dive sites. Here below you will find a hand picked list of the most spectacular ones.
Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail
If you are into wreck diving, then the Keys’ Shipwreck Trail is probably one of the most spectacular wreck diving trips you could ever organize. The trail is within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and includes nine ships:
The Adelaide Baker (Duck Key), the Amesbury (Key West), the Benwood (Key Largo), the City of Washington (Key Largo), the Duane (Key Largo), the Eagle (Key Largo), the North America (Sombrero reef, Key Light), the San Pedro (Indian Key), and the Thunderbolt (Key Colony beach).
Although some of those ships have been deliberately sunk to form artificial reefs, and some others sunk in naval accidents, they all have amazingly interesting stories to tell. Needless to say, wreck diving in the Keys also provides the opportunity to spot plenty of marine life, from tiny tropical fish to larger marine creatures.
Adolphus Busch Senior Shipwreck (Key Biscayne)
The impressive Adolphus Busch Senior shipwreck, located near Key Biscayne, is considered one of the best shipwreck dives in the Florida Keys. Divers can explore this 210-foot-long vessel while encountering various species of fish and other marine life inhabiting its structure.
Molasses Reef (Key Largo)
Molasses Reef, situated off Key Largo’s coast, offers a diverse range of dive sites suitable for all skill levels. With an abundance of colorful corals and numerous fish species, it’s no wonder Molasses Reef is among the most popular diving spots in the Florida Keys.
Christ of the Abyss (Key Largo)
An iconic site for scuba enthusiasts worldwide, Christ of the Abyss is an underwater statue located within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This unique dive site offers a serene and memorable experience for divers of all levels.
Snapper Ledge (Key Largo)
Snapper Ledge, also in Key Largo, is known for its large schools of snappers and other fish species that congregate around the coral formations. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, making it an ideal spot for underwater photography enthusiasts.
Vandenberg Wreck (Key West)
At over 520 feet long and 70 ft wide, the Vandenberg is the most popular dive site in the lower keys and probably the most spectacular among all Key West Wrecks. Since hurricane Irma the Vandenberg has moved slightly deeper and was turned 30 degrees from her original position. The main deck now sits at 108ft and is the perfect depth for Nitrox certified divers.
Cayman Salvagmaster (Key West)
The Cayman Salvagmaster is a 200 ft long cable layer that has been submerged for over 30 years. The growth of the coral reef on the wreck is simply spectacular. The main deck sits at 70ft and the sand is at 90ft.
This makes for an excellent dive on Nitrox. Among the several species inhabiting the wreck you will most likely find some resident Goliath Grouper. Note that most dive shops will request a deep dive or advanced open water certification to navigate the Cayman Salvagmaster.
Recommended Dive Shops In the Florida Keys
Captain’s Corner is one of the best dive shops in Key west. The shop’s owner, Leslie, personally supervises all activities and takes great care in customers’ satisfaction. The shop organizes two morning wreck dives on the Vandenberg wreck and two afrernon reef dives. Note that for the morning dives an advanced open water certification is required. Captain’s Corner also offers the possibility to organize daily dive trips and private charters. If you are new to scuba diving and want to get certified, Capain’s Corner is a 5 stars PADI Dive Center offering beginner to PRO scuba diving courses.
Finz Dive Center is the largest dive center in Key West. If you are looking for a more private and exclusive dive experience, then you should definitely talk to Rob, the shop’s owner who will recommend you the best dive sites based on your wishes. Finz dive center is also the only shop in the Florida Keys organizing day diving or snorkeling trips to the Dry Tortugas National Park. When it comes to Key West Diving, Finz has established itself as a renown institution. Needless to say, they will also organize private snorkeling tours upon request.
Sea Dwellers is a family owned dive center in Key Largo that has been operating since 1972. They offer daily dives to the Molasses reef, to the Chryst of the Abyss and to the Pennekamp reef. They can organize private snorkeling and diving trips and can easily accommodate more shallow dives as well as advanced dives. Sea Dwellers has several packages including accomodation with Holiday Inn, Courtyard Marriott and Marina Del Mar.
Silent World is Key Largo’s biggest dive shop, offering daily dive trips, scuba courses and snorkeling excursions. The dive center pays special attention to organizing experiences that are not overcrowded, stress-free and calm. WIth silent World you will be guaranteed at leat 1 hour dives (depending on your air consumption) and ample space on the dive boats.
Islamorada Dive Center is a PADI Dive resort, offering both daily excursions and diving certifications. They are located at Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina at Holiday Isle and offer a morning deep reef or wreck dive, afternoon shallow reef dives, coral restoration and shark awareness dives. If you are interested in diving islamorada, I recommend you stop by the Islamorada Dive Center. Eric and his crew will be delighted to show you all the infinite dive sites.
Planning Your Dive Trip to The Florida Keys
A successful diving trip in the Florida Keys requires careful planning and preparation, particularly if you want to explore more than one island in the archipelago.
Best Time of Year for Scuba Diving
The Florida Keys offer excellent diving conditions throughout the year. However, peak season runs from December through April when water temperatures are at their warmest (75-85°F) and visibility is generally better. Keep in mind that this period also attracts more tourists, so book your accommodations well in advance.
That said, if you are looking for a more relaxed and less crowded diving trip, you might also want to consider the summer season. The months of June through October are considered the rainy season, receiving on average 65% of the yearly rainfall. In these months, resorts are cheaper, you are less likely to get stuck in traffic and diving operations are also less crowded.
Accommodation Options: Resorts, Hotels, Vacation Rentals
- Resorts: For an all-inclusive stay with scuba dive packages included, consider resorts like Ocean Reef Club.
- Hotels: Budget-friendly options such as the Holiday Inn Key Largo Resort & Marina, or boutique hotels like the Casa Morada.
- Vacation Rentals: Rent a private home or condo through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO for a more personalized experience.
Transportation: Getting Around The Florida Keys
To explore various scuba dive sites across The Florida Keys efficiently, renting a car is highly recommended. You can rent a car from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Key West International airports and drive down the scenic Overseas Highway. Alternatively, you can also use local shuttle services like the Keys Shuttle to get around.
With the right planning, your dive trip to The Florida Keys can be a truly unforgettable experience. Now that you are prepared for diving in the area, let’s look into some of the abest dive shops in the Florida Keys.
Conclusion
The Florida Keys are renowned for their excellent scuba diving opportunities, with iconic sites like Molasses Coral Reef and Christ of the Abyss. They are the third largest barrier reef system in the world, meaning that you will have pleanty of opportunities to spot marine species ranging from sharks to giant goliath grouper. With top dive sites such as Molasses Reef and Christ of the Abyss, along with a variety of accommodation options and transportation services, planning your next dive trip to the Florida Keys is easy. Choosing a reputable dive charter service that emphasizes safety and equipment rental options is crucial for an enjoyable experience.
It’s important to remember to adopt sustainable dive practices and participate in conservation efforts such as clean-up dives and supporting initiatives like those from Coral Restoration Foundation. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, there are certification courses available for all levels.
Florida Keys Scuba Diving FAQs
Is Florida Keys Good for Scuba Diving?
Yes, the Florida Keys is an excellent destination for scuba diving. With its clear waters, diverse marine life, and numerous dive sites ranging from shallow reefs to deep wrecks, it offers a variety of underwater experiences suitable for divers of all skill levels. The region’s warm climate also makes it possible to dive year-round.
Which Florida Key Has the Best Scuba Diving?
Key Largo is often considered the best key for scuba diving due to its proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and numerous world-class dive sites such as Molasses Reef and Christ of the Abyss. However, each key offers unique diving opportunities with various shipwrecks and living coral reef formations worth exploring.
Why Is Key Largo the Diving Capital?
Key Largo earned its title as the “Dive Capital” because it hosts some of the most popular and accessible dive sites in North America. It serves as a gateway to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which protects over 2,900 square nautical miles of vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.
How Deep Is Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys?
The depth range varies depending on your chosen site; however, many popular dives fall between 20-100 feet (6-30 meters). Shallow reef dives like Snapper Ledge are perfect for beginners at around 15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 meters), while deeper wreck dives such as Adolphus Busch Senior Shipwreck can reach depths up to 110 feet (33 meters).
What Is Diving with a Purpose in the Florida Keys?
Diving with a Purpose is a volunteer program that combines scuba diving and marine conservation efforts in the Florida Keys. Participants contribute to preserving underwater cultural heritage by documenting shipwrecks, removing debris from dive sites, and participating in coral restoration projects.
What are the activities of the Coral Restoration Foundation in the Keys?
The Coral Restoration Foundation is dedicated to restoring coral reefs in The Florida Keys by growing and transplanting corals back onto damaged reef areas. By participating in their dive programs or volunteering, you can actively support their mission to protect these vital underwater habitats.
Is Shore Diving Available in the Florida Keys?
Besides training dives for beginner divers, shore diving is not really available in the Florida Keys. Most dives require a short boat trip and are priced accordingly. Most dive shops organize two boat trips in the morning and two boat trips in the afternoon, with the morning dives usually being the deeper ones.
If you are interested in shore diving, I would definitely recommend visiting Bonaire, also known as the shore diving capital of teh world.