Fort Pickens Jetties - Florida Keys

We love a good shore dive, and the Fort Pickens Jetties give you exactly that with a bit of a twist. It’s not about grand coral structures here, but the sheer volume of smaller, often overlooked critters that makes this place so special. We’ve spent hours poking around the rocks, marveling at the tiny crabs scuttling away and the delicate patterns on the sand dollars half-buried in the silt. Visibility can be a mixed bag, particularly after a good storm, but when it’s calm, you’ll get 10-15 meters of surprisingly clear water. Our favourite time to dive is definitely at slack tide, usually around an hour before and after high or low tide, to avoid any strong currents pulling you around the jetty ends. Look closely for pipefish camouflaged against the algae-covered rocks and keep an eye out for the curious sharpnose pufferfish that often dart in and out of the crevices. It’s a perfect spot for macro photographers or anyone who enjoys a slow, deliberate dive, really getting to know a smaller ecosystem.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
30.330963, -87.293360

Marine Protected Area: Fort Pickens State Park Aquati State Park

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 Fort Pickens Jetties

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 Fort Pickens Jetties

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