Diving in Florida Keys
Why dive here
Florida Keys offers some of United States's richest diving, with 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Keys are a classic for a reason. We love diving here for its sheer accessibility to proper reef diving, a rarity in the continental US. You can be out on the boat, splashing in, and staring down at a curious green moray or a school of jacks within an hour of leaving the dock. It’s not the wildest reef you’ll ever see, but it consistently delivers solid reef dives, especially around John Pennekamp State Park and Looe Key. Our favourite time to visit is late spring or early autumn, when the summer crowds have thinned but the water is still bathtub warm. Visibility can hit 25 metres on a good day. You’ll spend your bottom time cruising colourful shallow reefs, spotting parrotfish munching away, or keeping an eye out for a passing bonnethead shark. The wrecks, like the Spiegel Grove, are fantastic artificial reefs too, quickly becoming home to grouper and a surprising number of tenpounders. Just be mindful of currents, particularly on deeper wrecks; they can pick up fast.
Florida Keys Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Florida Keys
Florida Keys Dive Sites
260 dive sites in Florida Keys
1 Girón
One Girón off the Florida Keys is definitely an interesting proposition, though it’s not your typical reef dive. We usually drop in hoping to spot something a bit different here. You’ll frequently encounter big schools of ballyhoo shimmering in the sun, and the needlefish, both hound and redfin, are almost always zipping around. It’s also a good spot to keep an eye out for larger pelagics; we’ve had silky shark sightings, and even sperm whales have been recorded in the area. This site is best for divers who appreciate the thrill of the unexpected, rather than those seeking classic coral gardens.
9-foot Stake
Outer Munxar Rock is one of those Comino sites that delivers a reliable Mediterranean dive. We usually drop onto a rocky reef, a mix of small corals and rock formations where we've spotted soldierfish poking out of crevices and occasionally a loggerhead turtle cruising by. It’s a good spot for finding Painted Combers in the open, and if you have a keen eye, the smaller stuff like butterfly blennies and black gobies are usually around. We’d say it’s a solid pick for divers looking for a relaxed exploration, not too demanding, and generally calm enough to enjoy the details.
Ajax Reef
Stork Rock, just off Comino, is a decent dive when you're looking for something a bit different than the usual cave or wreck. The main draw here is the reef itself, which slopes down and offers some nice rocky overhangs, giving plenty of crevices for smaller critters. You’ll spot a fair few damsel fish zipping about, and we’ve seen loggerhead turtles here a few times, usually just cruising past. The Scarlet Coral is a real highlight, adding a splash of colour you don't always get elsewhere in Malta. It’s a pretty easy dive, suitable for most levels, especially if you want a relaxed explore.
Alexander Springs
Alexander Springs offers a different kind of dive, perfect for when you want a break from the usual ocean sites. It's a spring-fed basin, not a reef, so don't expect corals, but you'll find plenty of freshwater critters doing their thing. We often spot schools of Least Killifish darting amongst the aquatic plants, and sometimes an American eel or a Gulf Flounder makes an appearance. Visibility is generally excellent, a welcome change from some of Florida's murkier spots, and the calm environment makes it a great place to practice buoyancy or just enjoy a relaxed dip. It's really suited for divers looking for something a bit unique, or those wanting to log some easy bottom time.
Alligator Reef
Sultan Rock in Comino is one of those Mediterranean spots that just sticks with you. We love dropping in here, especially on a calm morning, to really soak up the atmosphere. You’re descending onto a limestone pinnacle that’s just covered in colour. It’s not the reds and yellows of the tropics, but rather the deep purples of the Devonshire cup corals and the bright greens of the killer alga that make a real statement against the rock. The whole place feels alive with small stuff. We always keep an eye out for the elliptical file-shells tucked into crevices, their iridescent mantles flickering. There are often schools of salema glinting in the light, and we’ve had some fantastic encounters with common octopus here, usually peeking out from under a ledge. We’d suggest taking your time exploring the nooks and crannies; it’s where the hooded shrimp and ornate wrasse really come into their own. It’s a comfortable dive, usually without strong currents, making it a great option if you’re looking for a relaxed exploration rather than a drift. We always find ourselves returning to Sultan Rock for that familiar, rugged beauty that's so uniquely Maltese.
Anglin Pier Ledge
Anglin Pier Ledge gives you a decent shallow dive, perfect for knocking out a few training dives or just a relaxed afternoon dip. It’s a 10-meter maximum, so you’re spending good bottom time checking out the ledge itself, which has some surprisingly busy pockets. We’ve spotted parrotfish munching on the corals and often see schools of grunts hanging out under the overhangs. It’s a solid pick if you’re new to the Keys, or just want something easy with decent fish action without a long boat ride.
Anglin’s Pier Reef
Anglin’s Pier Reef really delivers on that “Shore Dive Capital” promise. The reef here, just a short swim from the sand, is surprisingly robust, especially for a site so accessible. We love dropping in and almost immediately finding ourselves among finger corals and the occasional thicket of brain coral, a proper reef in shallow water. It's not a deep dive, maybe 5-7 meters if you’re hugging the bottom, making it fantastic for extended bottom times and photographers. Our favourite time to dive Anglin’s is early morning, right as the sun starts to warm the water. That’s when you’ll spot dusky jawfish hovering near their burrows, quickly retreating if you get too close. Look closely under ledges for the shy blackfin cardinalfish, or out in the open for schools of silver mojarra reflecting the light. We've even been lucky enough to see a lemon shark cruising by the pier pilings on a few occasions – a proper thrill in such shallow water. It's a forgiving dive, perfect for knocking off some rust or just enjoying a relaxed afternoon exploring, though watch out for strong north currents which can make the surface swim back a bit of a workout.
Aquarium
Aquarium, off the Florida Keys, is a decent spot for newer divers. At a consistent 10m, it’s an easy run, no surprises. You’ll see the usual suspects here: parrotfish nibbling at the hard corals and some smaller schooling fish. It’s a comfortable, shallow dive, good for getting your buoyancy dialed in or if you’re just after a relaxed float.
Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain is a relaxed spot in the Keys, ideal if you're looking for something mellow, especially after a few days of deeper dives. At a consistent 11 metres, it's a calm drift over a mostly sandy bottom interspersed with small coral heads. We usually spot nurse sharks tucked away, some green morays peeking from crevices, and plenty of grunts and snapper schooling around the little structures. It’s a great site for beginners or anyone wanting a longer bottom time without pushing depth limits.
Banana Patch Reef
Banana Patch Reef sits in about 10 meters of water, making it a good spot for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed, shallow profile. You'll find a scattered reef here, home to plenty of smaller reef fish. It’s a nice, easy dive if you're keen to take things slow and really observe the smaller stuff.
Beach House
The Beach House site in the Florida Keys sits at a consistent 19 meters, making it a comfortable dive for beginners. We've often found small nurse sharks tucked under ledges here, and the usual suspects of reef fish, like grunts and snappers, cruise through the coral formations. It’s a pretty straightforward dive, good for getting your buoyancy dialed in or for a relaxed afternoon dip if you’re looking for something calm. Visibility can vary, but generally, it’s a pleasant, easy-going spot.
Blue Grotto Spring
Blue Grotto Spring is a freshwater cavern dive with a large open entrance. Descend into a vast, dark chamber, lit only by divers' lights. It’s a good spot for new cavern divers to practice their skills in a controlled environment. We’ve seen Eastern Mosquitofish darting around the edges of the light.
Florida Keys Dive Centres
88 dive shops and operators in Florida Keys
Ocean Wildlife in Florida Keys
87 species recorded in Florida Keys
Florida Keys Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Florida Keys, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:03
Sunset
18:54
Daylight
12h 51m
Golden Hour
18:23
First light (dawn) at 05:39 · Last light (dusk) at 19:17
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:14 | 17:55 | 10h 41m |
| Feb | 07:02 | 18:18 | 11h 16m |
| Mar | 06:36 | 18:34 | 11h 58m |
| Apr | 06:03 | 18:48 | 12h 45m |
| May | 05:40 | 19:04 | 13h 23m |
| JunLongest | 05:34 | 19:18 | 13h 45m |
| Jul | 05:43 | 19:20 | 13h 37m |
| AugNow | 05:58 | 19:03 | 13h 5m |
| Sep | 06:11 | 18:32 | 12h 21m |
| Oct | 06:24 | 17:59 | 11h 36m |
| Nov | 06:43 | 17:37 | 10h 54m |
| DecShortest | 07:04 | 17:36 | 10h 32m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Florida Keys.
Where to Stay near Florida Keys
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Marine Protected Areas near Florida Keys
118 protected areas near Florida Keys - please respect local regulations when diving
Florida Keys
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Florida Keys Areas to be Avoided Natural Reserve
Parc national des Everglades
Everglades
Everglades National Park
Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Everglades National Park
Everglades
Key West
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Great White Heron
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Getting to Florida Keys
Miami
Miami
Fort Lauderdale
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