Cheeca Rocks
Protected Area
Cheeca 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 - Cheeca Rocks offers some of Florida Keys's richest reef diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
Cheeca Rocks is one of our go-to shallow dives in the Upper Keys, particularly when the wind picks up. It’s not deep, around 6 to 7 metres, making it an ideal second dive or a relaxed long bottom time. We love drifting over the low-lying coral heads here, especially when the light hits just right and illuminates the crevices where you’ll often spot a Belted Cardinalfish or a shy Banded Blenny peeking out. The real draw for us is the sheer number of juvenile fish. You’ll see swarms of Grunts and Spot Snappers darting between the coral, and Angelfish are almost always present, often in pairs. Keep an eye on the sandy patches too; we’ve found Lizardfish buried there, and if you’re lucky, a Permit might cruise past. It’s a great site for newer divers or photographers looking to capture vibrant reef life without battling strong currents or deep depths. We often pair it with a deeper wreck nearby for a varied day out.
Nearest Dive Centres to Cheeca Rocks
Dive shops near Cheeca Rocks
Deep Sea Scuba
Key Dives
Islamorada Dive Center
Florida Sea Base
Florida Keys Dive Center
Conch Republic Divers
Reviews for Cheeca Rocks
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cheeca Rocks
Cheeca Rocks Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cheeca Rocks, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL (28km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 20.9–31.1°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Current Speed
0 cm/s
Direction: S (180°)
Salinity
35.98 PSU
Wind Speed
2.7 m/s
5.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.5 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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