reef

Log This Dive

Ajax Reef

Ajax Reef, out in the Islamorada sanctuary, often gets overshadowed by its flashier neighbours, but we think that’s a mistake. It’s not just another Florida Keys reef; it’s a living, breathing example of resilience. Drop down here and you’ll find a sprawling coral labyrinth. We love the way the light plays through the deeper channels, illuminating huge heads of rose coral and artichoke coral. Keep an eye out for the yellow stingrays often tucked into sandy patches. What makes Ajax special for us are the schools of fish – not just a few stragglers, but proper groups of ocean triggerfish and schoolmasters moving in unison. We’ve spent whole dives just watching them drift past. The harlequin bass and black margates are also a constant presence, darting between the fire coral. It’s a great spot for macro too; we’ve often found banded pipefish hiding in the gorgonians. If you’re a diver who prefers a quieter, more intimate reef experience over dramatic walls, Ajax is your kind of place. Go on a weekday morning to really have it to yourself.