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Diving schedule: 2-tank mornings are standard. Shallow, ▪ 1 or 2-tank afternoon dives are common. Nitrox widely available. Ratios & briefings: Guide-to-diver ratios vary; many op- ▪ erators run ~1:4–6. Some dive boats run unguided dives. Inquire ahead of time and be ready to buddy up if you are using an operator that runs unguided trips. Non divers & snorkelers: Some of the shallow reef dives ▪
ship once lay on its side but was righted by a hurricane. Depths range from 70-130 feet and is appropriate for ad- vanced through deep and tech diving. USCG Bibb Shipwreck: An advanced dive with depths ▪ ranging from 97-120 feet and subject to strong currents. USCG Duane Shipwreck: A 327-foot Treasury Class US ▪ Coast Guard cutter sunk in 120 feet of water with the crow’s nest reachable in 60 feet of water.
Christ of the Abyss Statue: A statue of ▪ Christ sitting in 24 feet of water and surrounded by a patch reef thriving with life. This is one of the most pho- tographed dive sites in the keys. Islamorada: Nurse Shark City: A very fishy reef ▪ known for large nurse sharks and large schools of fish. The shallow depths (25 feet maximum) make for long bottom times and plenty of photo opportunities. Crocker Ledge: a deeper reef dive ▪ with depths reaching 80-100 feet.
also accommodate snorkel- ers on the same trip. In Key Largo, the John Pen- nekamp State Park is an ideal non-diver and snorkeler excursion as is Looe Key in Big Pine Key. Certification: Open Water ▪
Classic Porkfish in Marathon
or higher suits most sites; Advanced/Nitrox recom- mended for longer profiles and the deeper shipwrecks. It's best to find out from the dive shop if the wrecks you plan to dive require Deep and/or Wreck certification.
Marathon: Sombrero Light Reef: A tongue and groove reef near to the ▪ Sombrero Key Lighthouse. Shallow depths and large numbers of fish make this an ideal dive for all levels. Thunderbolt Shipwreck: Originally a WWII cable-laying ▪ ship, later used for lightning research (hence the name), and deliberately sunk as an artificial reef. The wreck sits in 120 feet of water but is reachable in 75 feet of water. Teems with fish, including large Goliath Groupers, am- berjacks, barracuda, and sponges/corals covering the structure. This wreck is a favorite for advanced divers with wide openings for easy navigation, but it can be a challenging dive with current. Big Pine Key: Looe Key: A marine sanctuary with heathy reefs in shallow ▪ water. The trips here usually accommodate large numbers of snorkelers in addition to divers. Adolphus Busch Shipwreck: a popular, intentionally sunk ▪ cargo freighter (210 ft) is an advanced dive site, known for its intact structure, marine life (goliath groupers, eels, sharks), and challenging conditions like current, requir- ing AOW certification for exploration. The diver opera- tors in the area don’t often run trips to this site so if you have a group interested in this dive, make arrangements ahead of time.
Medical & forms: Generally not required in advance. ▪ Dive conditions: Occasional strong currents on certain ▪ wrecks (e.g., Speigel Grove, Vandenburg, Duane and Bibb ). Visibility between 30-100 feet. Water temperatures range from 68º in the winter to 90º+ in the summer. Photography: Use wide angle for shipwrecks and plan for ▪ either close focus wide angle or 60mm macro on reefs. Tech diving is accommodated on deeper sites and ship- ▪ wrecks. Make sure you discuss your support needs ahead of time. Certifications and Courses The keys are an ideal destination for goup-participants wishing to complete open water skills for certifications and specialty courses. Instructors should pre-arrange the training and the checkout dives in advance. Most dive shops will ac- commodate outside instructors with proper credentials and insurance. Dives not to be missed: These are some of the most iconic and best dives in the keys. Arrange these sites with the dive shop ahead of time: Key Largo: Spiegel Grove Shipwreck : The 510-foot USS Navy landing ▪ ship was once the largest artificial reef ever created; the
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