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9-foot Stake

9-foot Stake is a favourite of ours for a reason. It’s got that classic Keys feel, an unexpected bounty of smaller, more unusual stuff if you take the time to really look. We often find ourselves drifting over a patchy but lively bottom, maybe 15 feet deep, watching parrotfish nibble the algae off the coral heads. It’s not a dramatic drop-off, more of a gentle slope with scattered brain and star corals that have seen some things. What really makes this spot sing are the little guys. We’ve spent entire dives here captivated by the almost translucent bodies of little post horn squid, subtly changing colours, or spotting the incredible camouflage of a plumed scorpionfish tucked against a sponge. Keep an eye out for the gaudy frog shells too; they’re surprisingly ornate for something hiding on the sand. You’ll see plenty of the usual suspects, sure, like schools of grunts hanging out, but the joy of 9-foot Stake is in the slow hunt for the less common, the things that make you pause and really appreciate the detail. It’s a superb spot for macro lovers, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed dive without the crowds, where the rewards come to those who move slowly.