French Reef - Florida Keys

Cades Reef. Now, this is what we mean when we talk about Caribbean diving. It’s a proper barrier reef, running for miles, and we always suggest hitting a few different spots along its length. We usually head out in the morning, when the light really punches through the water, especially over the shallower patches. What you get here is pure, unadulterated reef action. We've seen schools of snapper so thick they cast shadows, and the barracuda here are some of the biggest we’ve encountered in the Lesser Antilles – proper torpedoes just hanging in the blue. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; those tiny Pearl Blennies are always a joy to find peeking out of the coral. The drift along the wall is gentle most days, making it a relaxing dive but still engaging enough that you feel like you’re really covering some ground. It’s a great pick for intermediate divers who want to immerse themselves in a healthy, sprawling reef ecosystem without battling big currents.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
25.035278, -80.349440
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: French Reef Sanctuary Preserva Sanctuary

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 French Reef

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 French Reef

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