Sebastian Inlet - Florida Keys

Sebastian Inlet gets a bad rap sometimes, being so close to shore and feeling a bit like a secret spot for local spearfishers. But we love it for exactly that reason. The current can rip through here, especially on a tide change, but that’s what brings in the action. Think big schools of fantail mullet and snapper pushing against the flow, and where there's bait, there are predators. We've seen great hammerheads cruising the deeper edges, a genuinely heart-stopping moment when a shadow just peels off the blue. It’s not your typical Keys coral garden, more of a rugged rock and channel system with patches of coral and eelgrass swaying. That eelgrass is where we often spot dwarf seahorses clinging on, barely bigger than your thumbnail – a real test of your spotting skills. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack high tide; visibility tends to be best then, and the current less brutal, making it easier to explore without getting swept away. It’s a site that rewards patience and good buoyancy control, perfect for divers who appreciate the hunt for the subtle rather than the immediate flash of colour.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
27.855760, -80.453500
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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 Sebastian Inlet

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 Sebastian Inlet

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