The Reef - The 120-mile Florida Keys island chain is home to the continental United States' only living-coral barrier reef. This teeming backbone of marine life runs the length of the Keys about five miles offshore and offers Florida Keys scuba diving vacation memories that last a lifetime.
Our coral formations are famous for their abundance of fish, from impressive schools of blue-striped grunts to toothy green moray eels. The U.S. government established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to protect our marine habitat.
Bahia Honda - Henry Flagler's railroad to Key West turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination. Today, the island is home to one of Florida's southernmost state parks. Visitors can picnic on the beach and take a swim or relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Bahia Honda is an excellent place to see wading birds and shorebirds. The nature center introduces nature lovers to the island's plants and animals.
- Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp.
- Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented.
- Boat trips to the reef for a snorkeling excursion are available.
- Campsites and vacation cabins are available.
Sombrero Lighthouse - Sombrero Reef is one of the largest and surely the most magnificent coral reefs in the Middle Keys, home to some of the best spur and groove reef formations in all the Keys. The amount of coral is breath-taking. As soon as you descend, gorgonians, brain, finger and lettuce corals can be seen. Schools of colorful tropicals, southern stingrays and nurse sharks make their home on this reef. Large barracuda hang out by the lighthouse structure. The coral limestone has an "Arch" which is large enough to swim through.
- The reef is a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) and strictly regulated.
- Fishing as well as lobstering is strictly prohibited.
- Divers are reminded to look but not touch so that this spectacular reef will be preserved.
Looe Key - Located about five nautical miles offshore of Big Pine Key is Looe Key, which isn’t an island but a “groove and spur” reef and part of the reef system that parallels the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys. Because of its unique shape and varying depths, Looe Key is an excellent SCUBA and snorkeling site for people of all skill levels.
The reef is home to over 150 species of fish including:
- Yellowtail, angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, and moray eel
- Lucky divers can also see several shark and ray species.
- Water clarity is mostly excellent and sea conditions are generally moderate.
After 7000 years of coral growth, about fifty species are present, many named for the shapes of their namesakes on land. These corals include staghorn, elkhorn, star, brain, and fire corals.
