| PICKLES
REEF Depth Range: 10-25 feet Experience Level: Novice to Intermediate Location: 24º59.23 80º24.88 |
An
elongated reef with familiar spurs and grooves configurations; an
excellent place for a second dive. The combination of shallow reef and
sandy seafloor is full of possibilities for excellent macro photography. ***** |
| CONCH REEF Depth Range: Shallow to 100 feet Experience Level: Novice to Advanced Location: 24º57.11 80º27.57 |
The most remarkable
aspect of this reef is its proliferation of barrel sponges covering much
of the reef area; the second is its depth. The upper section of the
slope lies at an average depth of 50 ft., but its base extends to 90 ft.
where a wide strip of sand running parallel to the reef lends added
definition to its contours. You will observe a variety of gorgonians and
reef species, and thanks to the depth its not unusual to view pelagic
fish. ***** |
| LITTLE
CONCH REEF Depth Range: 30 feet Experience Level: Intermediate Location: 24º56.49 80º28.59 |
A level,
comparatively long reef full of coral heads, rocks, low profile spurs
and grooves, crisscrossed by ledges especially in its western section.
Tube sponges and seafan colonies grace the area. ***** |
| THE SAN
JOSE AND THE INFANTE Depth Range: 12-15 feet Experience Level: Novice Location 14º10.85 43º26.77 |
Two galleons
belonging to the famous Silver Plate Fleet of 1733 were lost in a
hurricane off the Keys and went down within a mile of one another. Not
much is left of the Infante except some timber planking originally from
the ship's deck and ballast stones of all shapes and sizes scattered
over roughly an acre. The San Jose collided with the sand flats, her
stern section disintegrated and became detached from the main hull which
sank another 200 yards awsay with its ballast stones. ***** |
| DAVIS REEF Depth Range: Shallow to 80 feet Experience Level: Novice Location 24º55.58 80º30.10 |
A popular outer
reef on the edge of a flat shallow bank. Hugh schools of fish have made
this reef famous along with four green morays who are permanent
residents here. Another attraction adorning this reef is a statue of a
Buddha that sits on a concrete block in the middle of a sand plain. ***** |
| CROCKER
REEF Depth Range: 40-80 feet Experience Level: Intermediate Locaton: 24º54.20 80º31.60 |
An extensive
collection of formations which should probably be treated as a series of
individual dive sites each with its own name. ***** |
| THE EAGLE Depth Range: 75-120 feet Experience Level: Advanced Location: 24º54.18 80º34.20 |
A 287' freighter,
sunk in 1985 as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Associaton
program, forms an artificial reef which has brought enjoyment to
thousands of divers. She has remained generally intact, apart from eight
gaping holes in her side and although the wreck rests at a depth of 110
ft, you will begin to encounter her superstructure at 75 ft. Because of
the Eagle's comparatively remote location beyond the protective confines
of the reef, the state of the current will be a vitally important factor
in determining your dive plan here. ***** |
| HENS &
CHICKENS REEF Depth Range: 20-22 feet Experience Level: Novice Location: 24º55.90 80º32.90 |
A group of patch
reefs whose coral formations from the air appear to radiate outwards
from the center like a mother hen surrounded by chickens. A shallow
inshore site this reef displays a remarkable proliferation of fish and
corals. ***** |
| ALLIGATOR
REEF Depth Range: 25-30 feet Experience Level: Intermediate Location: 24º50.72 80º36.93 |
The reef was named
after the USS Alligator, a schooner which ran aground here in 1825 and
whose remains are still visible in the open waters southeast of its
famous light tower. The reef displays spurs and grooves coursing down a
moderate slope as well as more isolated coral heads. It is especially
noted for its size, its deep ravines and intricately patterned coral
crevices. ***** |
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