Florida Keys, United States
    Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

    Alligator Reef

    Best months: Apr–Oct

    Protected Area

    Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

    Why dive here

    With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - Alligator Reef offers some of Florida Keys's richest reef diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Marine lifeBull Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Seahorses and Sea Turtles · 87+ species recorded
    Water19-32°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    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.

    Today06:0118:5012h 49m daylightGolden hour 18:20

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Alligator Reef

    Alligator Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Alligator Reef, sourced from NOAA buoy & Copernicus Marine data - nearest station: 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL (28km away)

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    31.52°C

    89°F · Range: 27.7–35.7°C

    Air Temperature

    28.3°C

    83°F

    Current Speed

    1 cm/s

    Direction: W (270°)

    Salinity

    36.45 PSU

    Wind Speed

    2.2 m/s

    4.3 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1015.7 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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