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Key West Diving
Water temperature ranges from 87 F (summer) to 68 F (winter). Visibility normally is 40-60
feet, with days of 75-100 foot visibility not uncommon. Our reefs are located five to seven
miles offshore; most are reached in a 35 minute boat ride.
Among our favorite dive sites:
Rock Key - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) "Sanctuary Preservation Area."
Spur-and-groove coral formations. Depth is 5-35 feet and divers of all skill levels enjoy this
site. The high diversity of species makes this an excellent fish ID location.
Eastern Dry Rocks - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. Similar to Rock Key with
spur-and-groove coral formations. Depth is 5-35'. Suitable for all skill levels.
Sand Key - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. One of the most popular snorkel/dive sites
in the Keys. Sand Key is a small island marked by a red iron lighthouse built in 1853. The reef
is spur-and-groove with many coral fingers and gullies for exploration. Depth is 5-75'.
Suitable for all skill levels.
Western Dry Rocks - Spur-and-groove coral formations, with high-relief coral fingers and
white sand bottom. Larger animals, such as schooling tarpon, are often seen here. Depth is
5-35 feet. Farther from Key West Harbor than most of the other popular dive sites, Western
Dry Rocks has been less impacted by divers and boats. Suitable for all skill levels.
Joe's Tug - A harbor tug that sank pier-side in Key West Harbor in 1986. It was raised and
prepared for sinking as an artificial reef off Miami. The night before it was scheduled to be
taken north, local divers surreptitiously towed the tug out of the harbor; it sank in 65 feet of
water before reaching its intended resting place. Originally a classic-looking wreck, Joe's
Tug was severely damaged by hurricanes in 1998 and 1999. A large moray eel makes its
home under the bow and many large fish frequent the wreck. This dive requires intermediate
skill levels.
Cayman Salvor - A 189 foot former Army (yes, Army!) minelayer, then a research vessel, and
finally a transport for Cuban refugees during the 1979 Mariel boatlift (which resulted in her
seizure by the US Government.) In August 1985, while being towed to an artificial fishing reef
site in deep water, she sank prematurely and now rests in 94 feet of water, with her deck at
78 feet. A 300 lb Goliath Grouper (formerly called Jewfish) lives on the wreck. Advanced
divers only due to depth.
Western Sambos - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. Depth is 10-40 feet and large
elkhorn coral formations are found here. Suitable for all skill levels.
Water temperature ranges from 87 F (summer) to 68 F (winter). Visibility normally is 40-60
feet, with days of 75-100 foot visibility not uncommon. Our reefs are located five to seven
miles offshore; most are reached in a 35 minute boat ride.
Among our favorite dive sites:
Rock Key - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) "Sanctuary Preservation Area."
Spur-and-groove coral formations. Depth is 5-35 feet and divers of all skill levels enjoy this
site. The high diversity of species makes this an excellent fish ID location.
Eastern Dry Rocks - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. Similar to Rock Key with
spur-and-groove coral formations. Depth is 5-35'. Suitable for all skill levels.
Sand Key - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. One of the most popular snorkel/dive sites
in the Keys. Sand Key is a small island marked by a red iron lighthouse built in 1853. The reef
is spur-and-groove with many coral fingers and gullies for exploration. Depth is 5-75'.
Suitable for all skill levels.
Western Dry Rocks - Spur-and-groove coral formations, with high-relief coral fingers and
white sand bottom. Larger animals, such as schooling tarpon, are often seen here. Depth is
5-35 feet. Farther from Key West Harbor than most of the other popular dive sites, Western
Dry Rocks has been less impacted by divers and boats. Suitable for all skill levels.
Joe's Tug - A harbor tug that sank pier-side in Key West Harbor in 1986. It was raised and
prepared for sinking as an artificial reef off Miami. The night before it was scheduled to be
taken north, local divers surreptitiously towed the tug out of the harbor; it sank in 65 feet of
water before reaching its intended resting place. Originally a classic-looking wreck, Joe's
Tug was severely damaged by hurricanes in 1998 and 1999. A large moray eel makes its
home under the bow and many large fish frequent the wreck. This dive requires intermediate
skill levels.
Cayman Salvor - A 189 foot former Army (yes, Army!) minelayer, then a research vessel, and
finally a transport for Cuban refugees during the 1979 Mariel boatlift (which resulted in her
seizure by the US Government.) In August 1985, while being towed to an artificial fishing reef
site in deep water, she sank prematurely and now rests in 94 feet of water, with her deck at
78 feet. A 300 lb Goliath Grouper (formerly called Jewfish) lives on the wreck. Advanced
divers only due to depth.
Western Sambos - FKNMS Sanctuary Preservation Area. Depth is 10-40 feet and large
elkhorn coral formations are found here. Suitable for all skill levels.
| Eco-Dives of Key West |
(305) 293-9985
