Eye of the needle
Protected Area
Bay Keys Wildlife Management Area
Why dive here
With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - Eye of the needle offers some of Florida Keys's richest diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Eye of the Needle, near Looe Key, is a solid little dive for those getting their fins wet in the Keys. We’re talking about a maximum depth of 12 meters, so it’s wonderfully relaxed for beginners or anyone looking for an easy second dive. You’ll navigate through a limestone archway that gives the site its name, often finding nurse sharks snoozing underneath. Keep an eye out for schooling grunts and snapper, along with the usual parrotfish munching away on the reef. It’s a good spot to just drift and watch the reef go by without any fuss.
Typical Eye of the needle 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 Eye of the needle
Dive shops near Eye of the needle
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 Eye of the needle
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Eye of the needle
Eye of the needle Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Eye of the needle, 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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