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Tortugas Banks

Tortugas Banks is one of those places we always try to hit when we're in the Lower Keys. It’s a proper reef, a bit different from some of the wreck diving the area is known for, with some really healthy coral formations. We’ve had some fantastic dives here, often spotting big schools of Caesar and Atlantic Spanish Mackerel cruising past. It’s pretty exposed out there, so checking the forecast for calm seas is a must. If it’s windy, you’ll feel it. What we love most about Tortugas Banks is the sheer number of fish, especially the smaller, colourful ones like Indigo Hamlets and Fairy Basslets darting around the coral heads. We’ve spent whole safety stops watching Whitespotted Filefish nibble on algae. Keep an eye out for Hogfish, too; they’re often hanging out near the sandy patches. This site is brilliant for divers who appreciate a thriving natural reef and don't mind a bit of a boat ride to get there. It’s not a drift dive, typically, but currents can pick up, so be prepared for some finning.