Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks) - Florida Keys
The team at Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks) in Key Largo feels like an old friend, even if it's your first time out with them. We've always found their crew to be incredibly patient, especially with newer divers, making those first few breaths underwater feel a lot less daunting. They run a tight ship, literally, with their boats typically departing from the dock right on time, which we always appreciate when we're keen to get wet. What we really love about Rainbow Reef is their focus on getting you to the best spots for the day's conditions, whether that's the famous Christ of the Abyss statue, where schools of grunts often swirl around its base, or a deeper wreck like the Duane, usually covered in colourful sponges and barracuda. We’d suggest chatting with their divemasters about what’s been good lately; they’re full of insights. Our favourite trips with them have often been the later afternoon departures; the light hitting the reefs around Molasses Reef at that time can be magical, painting the elkhorn corals in warm hues and often bringing out the larger parrotfish as they graze. They’re a solid choice for anyone looking for reliable, friendly guiding to the Keys' classic sites.
- Location
- Florida Keys, United States, North America
- Coordinates
- 25.096024, -80.434555
- Phone
- +1-305-451-7171
- Website
- https://www.rainbowreef.com/
- Certification Agencies
- PADI
- Courses
- yes
- Equipment Rental
- yes
- Air Fills
- yes
- Address
- 522, Caribbean Drive, Key Largo, 33037
- Price Range
- mid-range
Dive Sites Near Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks)
Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks) provides access to 15 dive sites in Florida Keys.
- 1 Girón
- 9-foot Stake (reef)
- Ajax Reef (reef)
- Alexander Springs
- Alligator Reef (reef)
- Anglin Pier Ledge - 10m (reef)
- Anglin’s Pier Reef - 5-15m (reef)
- Aquarium - 10m
- Ball and Chain - 11m
- Banana Patch Reef - 10m (reef)
- Barracuda Dive Centre
- Beach House - 19m
- Blue Grotto Spring (cave)
- Boynton Comb Reef (reef)
- Boynton Ledges - 21m (reef)
Other Dive Centres in Florida Keys
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)
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 Marine Life
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
- Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Cowfish (Rhinoptera bonasus) - Sharks & Rays
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) - Sharks & Rays
- Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) - Sharks & Rays
- Prodigal Son (Rachycentron canadum) - Reef Fish
- Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) - Reef Fish
- Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) - Reef Fish
- Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Florida Keys
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