Key Largo Chamber of Commerce

Dive & Snorkel

Drive south from Miami for about an hour and you will come to the drawbridge at Jewfish Creek. When you cross this bridge you will find yourself in Key Largo, the first island of the Florida Keys. This chain of coral islands is legendary for its lore of pirates and sunken treasure, but today countless visitors have discovered the real treasure of

Florida Keys lies just offshore, its world-class diving and snorkeling. The waters offshore of Key Largo offer some of the best diving in the world. Visitors to Key Largo quickly understand why it is the "Dive Capital of the World".

Key Largo was one of the first areas in the world to dive into conservation of its marine habitat. John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park was founded in 1960 and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary was created 1975. As a result, the reef has been protected for more than four decades. And in the mid-1990s, the entire island chain was given additional protection as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This designation has provided a uniquely rich coral environment where the 600 species of tropical fish are numerous and friendly - a veritable paradise for diver and snorkeler.

Key Largo is best known for its shallow reefs and deep wrecks. The shallow reefs provide world class diving for scuba divers of all ages and skills. The deep wrecks offer the some of the best wreck diving found anywhere.

For a complete list of dive and snorkel charters see our membership directory.

Here are some Key Largo’s most popular spots:

The Elbow is a reef system where you can find several historic shipwrecks; the City of Washington is one of them. Visibility is also good here due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. Residents include several friendly nurse sharks and moray eels.

Key Largo Dry Rocks is the site of the famous "Christ of the Deep" Statue; this is one of the Keys' most popular diving and snorkeling locations. Key Largo Dry Rocks, is a shallow site, and offers close viewing of many types of fish.

North Dry Rocks is just north of Key Largo Dry Rocks. A shallow location, this reef contains the popular "Minnow Cave" - known for it's large seasonal population of silverside minnows.

North North Dry Rocks is just north of North Dry Rocks. A shallow spur and grove reef with some of the healthiest coral in the area.

The wreck of the Benwood is a shallow wreck found between French Reef and the Spiegel Grove sight. The Benwood is an old Norwegian freighter that has been down since 1942. The abundance of marine life and easy navigation makes it a popular night dive.

French Reef is known for its swim throughs and coral caves. It offers the chance to observe many species of fish and reef creatures, many of which never leave the shelter of the coral caves and tunnels. French Reef also has large formations of elk horn and stag horn corals.

Molasses Reef is said to be the most popular dive destination in the world. It’s great for snorkelers and divers alike as the reef touches the surface in places and slopes down to a depth of about fifty-five feet. The gulf stream provides for some of the best visibility in the area. The population of reef creatures is always changing, and includes frequent visits by many different pelagic species.

The USCG Cutters Duane and Bibb were intentionally sunk in 1987 to form an artificial reef only a mile south of Molasses Reef. Both lie in 130 feet of water. The Duane stands upright with its crow’s nest sixty feet below the surface; the Bibb lies on its starboard side. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be very challenging. These are not novice dives but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.

Key Largo's newest wreck is the USS Spiegel Grove. This 510 ft. landing ship dock is the largest ship ever sunk as an artificial reef. She went down May 17, 2002, and settled on her starboard side in 130 ft of water. Thanks to a combination of current and Hurricane Dennis, the Grove righted herself in 2005. Her keel sits now sits on the bottom - almost perfectly horizontal from bow to stern. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be challenging. This is not a novice dive but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.

The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, under the auspices of the Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation, reduces the debt on the sinking of the Spiegel Grove by giving annual dive medallions for a $10 donation, a gorgeous bronze medallion for a $250 donation.

Those who receive the lifetime medallion will have their name (or the name of their choice) inscribed on a bronze plaque that is affixed to the Spiegel Grove. Only 1,000 lifetime medallions will be given away; the foundation is in the process of filling the final plaque.

For more information on the medallion program, write to president@keylargochamber.org or call 1-800-822-1088.

Artificial Reef Dive Medallions:
Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation

The Florida Keys is home to several different shipwreck projects and have combined to make South Florida one of the world's best wreck dive destinations. Beginning with the Eagle in Islamorada, and progressing with the USCG Cutters Bibb and Duane in Key Largo, the Upper Keys Artificial Reef Association has sunk the biggest and most grand shipwreck ever, the 510-foot Landing Ship Dock the U. S. S. Spiegel Grove .

Sinking ships to serve as dive attractions is a costly enterprise. The Spiegel Grove's cost was well over $1 million, as well as countless hours of coordination by project volunteers over a six year period. By overwhelming consensus the dive operators of the Upper Keys have agreed that diving access to these shipwrecks shall be by means of a dive medallion, in essence a voluntary contribution that will serve to repay the significant debt accrued in placing these dive attractions on the bottom.

Here's how the Shipwreck Medallion Program works:

There is no additional fee required to dive the natural coral reefs of the Upper Florida Keys.
There is no fee required to dive the historic shipwrecks of the Upper Florida Keys such as the Benwood or City of Washington.
Commercial dive operators support the Shipwreck Medallion Program by encouraging their customers to wear on their buoyancy compensators one of 2 levels of Shipwreck Medallion sponsorship:

Gold Lifetime Sponsor - The Gold sponsor will donate $250 and be given a beautiful commemorative bronze medallion with a brushed gold-finish in a velveteen display case and a gold-colored lifetime dive medallion. The Gold Lifetime Sponsor is a limited edition of only 1,000 medallions and will never be recast. Sponsors names will be placed on a permanent plaque to be attached to Spiegel Grove. The first two plaques containing sponsor numbers 1 through 500 were attached to the ship in May of 2003. Names for the final plaque are being taken right now.

Annual Sponsor - For a donation of $10, individuals will be given an annual dive medallion, which will be a different color each calendar year. The 2007 version is a deep purple.

Annual medallions can be found at most area dive shops and at the chamber office, 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. Lifetime medallions are available only at the chamber office. Call 1-800-822-1088 for details about either program.