The Elbow - Florida Keys

Glover’s Reef in Utila isn’t the famous atoll off Belize, so let’s clear that up first. This is Utila’s own version, and we love it for its sheer density of fish. Drop down here and you're immediately enveloped in schools of French grunts and redear herring, so thick they create shimmering walls of silver. It feels like swimming through a living curtain. We often spot Caribbean reef sharks cruising the deeper edges, calm and unbothered by divers, and the blacktip sharks are a more recent, welcome addition. We’d suggest hitting Glover's Reef mid-morning for the best light penetration into the nooks and crannies where you'll find dusky cardinalfish and blackcap basslets hiding. The reef structure itself isn't dramatic, more a sprawling, healthy coral landscape, but it’s the sheer volume of fish that makes it a standout. You’ll spend most of your dive just watching the schools ebb and flow. It’s a site for those who appreciate the subtle choreography of fish behaviour over dramatic topography, and perfect for keen photographers trying to capture that "too many fish to count" shot.

Location
Florida Keys, United States, North America
Coordinates
25.145600, -80.260800
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: The Elbow 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 The Elbow

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 The Elbow

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