French Reef
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.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to French Reef
Dive shops near French Reef
Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks)
Sundiver Boat Dock
Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boat Docks)
Rainbow Reef Retail Store
Scuba-Fun
Dive Shop
Reviews for French Reef
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)
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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