Florida Keys, United States
    French Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

    French Reef

    Best months: Apr–Jun

    Protected Area

    French Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

    Why dive here

    With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - French Reef offers some of Florida Keys's richest reef diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeApr–Jun
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBull Sharks, Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Seahorses and Sea Turtles · 87+ species recorded
    Water19-32°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    French Reef, a few miles off Key Largo, has always been one of our go-to spots for a leisurely drift dive. It's not the deepest site, usually topping out around 20 metres, but what it lacks in depth it makes up for in sheer visual interest. We love how the reef forms these distinct arches and swim-throughs, almost like underwater doorways carved out of coral. You’ll find schools of Schoolmaster snapper hanging out under ledges, and we’ve spotted more than our share of Longspine Squirrelfish tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for the Pygmy Morays peeking from the smallest cracks – they’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Our favourite part is the sandy patches between the coral heads, where we often see Southern Stingrays resting. The current can be mild, making it a relaxed dive, though it can pick up a bit on a strong outgoing tide. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the arches is just something else. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for interesting compositions and divers who appreciate a slow, exploratory dive rather than just a quick drop-off.

    Today06:1818:0011h 42m daylightGolden hour 17:30

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for French Reef

    French Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for French Reef, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL (28km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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