Ball and Chain
Protected Area
Eastern Dry Rocks Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary
Why dive here
With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - Ball and Chain offers some of Florida Keys's richest diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical Ball and Chain Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Ball and Chain
Dive shops near Ball and Chain
Divers Direct
Lost Reef Adventures
Captain Hook
Finz Dive Center
Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center
Captain Hook’s Looe Key Reef Adventures
Reviews for Ball and Chain
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Ball and Chain, 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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