In Key West you can dive at more than 50 sites representing the diversity of lower keys reefs. Depths range from 20-120 feet, with most sites at 40 to 80. Typical visibility is 50-80 feet. Winter water temperature is a cool 70F (22C); summer temperatures are high 80s-low 90s (28-33C.) Some of our favorite dives are at Sambo's Reefs, the Outer Reef, and Ten Fathom Ledge. Eastern, Middle and Western Sambo are on the main reef line, southeast of Key West. Dives at the drop-off are 60-90 feet with steep ledges covered with honeycomb corl formation falling sharply to the sand line at the edge of the reef. In closer, depths are 30-40 feet, with tall heads of brain coral, star coral, and pillar coral. The Outer Reef and Ten Fathom ledge are about a mile past the main reef line. Many sites, on patch reefs which may be a mile or two in length, feature coral mounds and plateaus covered with hard and soft corals and sponges. Parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish and other bright tropicals are very common, as well as stingrays, eels, nurse sharks and turtles. Deeper sites on Ten Fathom feature ledges dropping from 60 to 120 feet. Here you'll see deep water gorgonians and grouper, as well as the usual tropicals.
You can also dive the wrecks of the Cayman Salvor and Joe's Tug. The Salvor lies at 95' and the Tug at 65'. Both have resident Jewfish and large green moray eels and plenty of yellowtail, grunts, wrasse and barracuda. Many other sites and many types of underwater geography are available for photo diving, naturalist exploration or just sight-seeing. We look forward to diving with you!
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