Cudjoe Gardens Marina And Dive Center - Florida Keys

Cudjoe Gardens Marina and Dive Center isn't a deep reef dive, and that's precisely why we love it. This is a brilliant spot for knocking the rust off your dive skills, or for divers who just want to chill in shallower waters without sacrificing interesting marine life. We're talking about a relaxed, sandy-bottomed exploration where you can really slow down and appreciate the smaller stuff. The real magic here is in the quiet observation. We’ve spent hours just watching the Seaweed Blennies dart around and those Harlequin Bass doing their quirky little dances. You'll find plenty of juvenile fish tucked amongst the rocks and bits of structure – keep an eye out for young Grey Snapper and Red Groupers. For us, the highlight is often spotting the Atlantic Yellow Cowries or even a Slender Filefish trying to blend into a patch of seagrass. The visibility can vary a bit depending on recent weather, but it’s usually clear enough to enjoy a leisurely potter. It's an ideal spot for macro photographers looking for easy subjects, or for newer divers building confidence.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
24.658026, -81.505630
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

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 Cudjoe Gardens Marina And Dive Center

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 Cudjoe Gardens Marina And Dive Center

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