When most people think about SCUBA diving they think about the adventure of a life time. As a SCUBA diver the number one question I get when I tell people I go SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys is “Are you not scared to dive with sharks”? If most people relate SCUBA diving as an adventure (which it is for sure), and the first thing they think of is SHARKS!!!! Then it only goes without saying SCUBA diving with or with our sharks is worthy of building an XploreGEO Adventure Quest around.
Yes you guessed it, the 20 SCUBA diving locations in this blog are slated to go into a “Dive the Florida Keys” quest once the XploreGEO app launches early to mid 2023. This adventure quest will be somewhat different then your usual on dry land quest in the fact that all the markers will be out in the ocean. Some will be close to shore and others will be many miles off shore based on what marker you are going to SCUBA dive on. The coordinates for the markers in the “Dive The Florida Keys” quest will be set for the mooring locations for each dive site, and you will be expected to check in while you are on the dive boat floating above the dive site.
HINT HINT: You might want to be prepared for quest challenges such as a selfie with the America flag on the Spiegel Grove, which means you would need to make sure someone in your group has a underwater camera and gets a good shot of you with the flag. Expect the unexpected when it comes to challenges and SCUBA diving quest.
The Florida Keys are known for their beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life, making them a top destination for scuba divers. Here are 20 of the best scuba diving sites in the Florida Keys:
- Spiegel Grove: This 510-foot Navy ship was intentionally sunk off the coast of Key Largo to create an artificial reef. It is now home to a wide variety of marine life, including schools of fish, barracuda, and moray eels.
- Alligator Reef: Located off Islamorada, this shallow reef is home to a large population of nurse sharks and a variety of colorful fish.
- USS Vandenberg: This former missile-tracking ship was sunk off the coast of Key West to create an artificial reef. It is now a popular dive site, with several large openings that allow divers to explore the interior of the ship.
- Sombrero Reef: Located off Marathon, Sombrero Reef is known for its beautiful coral formations and diverse marine life, including schools of fish, sharks, and sea turtles.
- Crocker Wall: Located off Big Pine Key, this deep dive site features a vertical wall that drops to a depth of over 100 feet. The wall is covered in colorful coral and is home to a variety of marine life, including moray eels and barracuda.
- Carysfort Reef: Located off Key Largo, Carysfort Reef is known for its beautiful coral formations and diverse marine life, including schools of fish, nurse sharks, and moray eels.
- Molasses Reef: Located near Key Largo, Molasses Reef is a popular dive spot known for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life, including barracuda, angelfish, and moray eels, grouper, and southern stingrays.
- Christ of the Abyss: This iconic 8-foot-tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ is located in the waters off Key Largo and is a popular dive spot for both experienced and beginner divers.
- Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Located near Key Largo, Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers a variety of dive sites, including the Blue Heron Bridge and the Molasses Reef, as well as guided snorkeling and diving tours.
- USS Hoyt Vandenberg: This massive 522-foot-long shipwreck is located off the coast of Key West and offers a challenging and exciting dive for experienced divers.
- Adolphus Busch Sr.: This shipwreck, which is located off the coast of Key West, offers a fascinating underwater adventure for divers of all levels.
- Joe’s Tug: This small shipwreck is located near Key West and offers a shallow dive for beginners, as well as a variety of marine life
- French Reef – Located near Marathon, French Reef is home to a large variety of coral and fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and barracuda. It’s also a great spot for spotting sea turtles and eagle rays.
- Alligator Reef – Located near Islamorada, Alligator Reef is home to a large number of colorful coral and fish, as well as a historic lighthouse that you can explore on your dive.
- Carysfort Reef – Located near Key Largo, Carysfort Reef is a beautiful spot for scuba diving, with plenty of colorful coral and fish to see. It’s also a great spot for spotting nurse sharks and other large fish.
- Looe Key Reef – Located near Big Pine Key, Looe Key Reef is home to a wide variety of coral and fish, as well as a shipwreck that you can explore on your dive.
- Cheeca Rocks – Located near Islamorada, Cheeca Rocks is home to a vibrant array of coral and fish, including barracuda, parrotfish, and angelfish. It’s also a great spot for spotting sea turtles and eagle rays.
- Conch Wall – Located near Key Largo, Conch Wall is a beautiful spot for scuba diving, with plenty of colorful coral and fish to see. It’s also a great spot for spotting nurse sharks and other large fish.
- Crocker Wall – Located near Key Largo, Crocker Wall is a popular spot for scuba diving, with plenty of colorful coral and fish to see. It’s also a great spot for spotting nurse sharks and other large fish.
- Delta Shoals – Located near Key Largo, Delta Shoals is a beautiful spot for scuba diving, with plenty of colorful coral and fish to see. It’s also a great spot for spotting nurse sharks and other large fish.
