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Conch Reef

Conch Reef, for us, is one of those spots in the Upper Keys that just consistently delivers. It’s got that classic spur-and-groove formation we really like, starting shallow and then dropping off to around 30 meters. What makes it special? The sheer scale of the coral structures. You get huge heads of boulder brain coral and great star coral, some of them a good few meters across, forming these canyons you can swim through. It feels ancient down there. We often find ourselves spotting reef scorpionfish tucked into crevices; they’re masters of camouflage, so keep your eyes peeled. And the blennies! Longfin blennies bobbing on the coral are always a treat. Our favourite part has to be the deeper ledges, where the light starts to soften and you often see larger pelagics cruise by. We’d suggest hitting this one on a calm day; the currents can pick up, especially further out. It’s a site that rewards a slow, deliberate dive, giving you time to appreciate the sheer size and health of the coral formations and the smaller creatures that call them home.