Anglin’s Pier Reef - Florida Keys

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.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
26.186995, -80.093290
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-15m

Marine Protected Area: SS Copenhagen Underwater Archaeological Preserve

Best Time to Dive in Florida Keys

The warmest water temperatures in Florida Keys occur in July, averaging 31.5°C (up to 34.8°C). The coolest conditions are in January at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 19.3°C (air: 18.5°C)
  • February: 20.5°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • March: 23.1°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • April: 25.5°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • May: 27.8°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • June: 30.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • July: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • August: 31.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 30.2°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • October: 27.3°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • November: 24.1°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • December: 20.9°C (air: 19.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Florida Keys

Nearest Dive Centres to Anglin’s Pier Reef

Marine Life in Florida Keys

Home to 91 recorded species including 69 reef fish, 6 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Anglin’s Pier Reef

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 1 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories