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Hen and Chickens

Hen and Chickens is one of those spots in the Keys that feels just right for a relaxed morning dive. We love the way the coral heads, those "chickens," cluster around the larger "hen," creating these lovely little swim-throughs and pockets. It’s shallow, only about 6 metres, which means you get fantastic light penetration; the colours really pop. We always find ourselves lingering here, watching midnight parrotfish chip away at the coral, their crunching sounds surprisingly loud in the quiet water. Our favourite part is scouting for the smaller stuff. Keep an eye out for a papillose blenny peeking from a crevice or a fringed flounder trying its best to disappear into the sand. You'll often spot schools of grunt under ledges, just hanging out. For new divers, or anyone just wanting an easy, pretty dive with plenty to see without needing to go deep, Hen and Chickens is a real winner. Go early if you can; it gets a bit busy later in the day, but the marine life doesn’t seem to mind.