Hardbottom Cave
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 - Hardbottom Cave offers some of Florida Keys's richest cave diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
Hardbottom Cave is a good spot for newer divers looking for an easy swim-through. At 12 meters, it's shallow and calm, usually with good visibility. You'll find a few small ledges and crevices, home to some lobsters and snapper. It’s a gentle introduction to overhead environments in the Keys.
Typical Hardbottom Cave Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Hardbottom Cave
Dive shops near Hardbottom Cave
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 Hardbottom Cave
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Hardbottom Cave
Hardbottom Cave Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Hardbottom Cave, 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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