Carysfort Lighthouse

Carysfort Lighthouse: Florida scuba diving at its best! One of Key Largo’s popular dive sites and a very popular dive site for snorkelers.

Carysfort Lighthouse and Carysfort Reef are named after the lucky frigate HMS Carysford.

Carysfort LighthouseThe twenty eight gun frigate HMS Carysford collided with the reef back in 1770 and was lucky to escape with minor damage and continue on her voyage.

This extensive reef is located in the protected northern section of the National Marine Sanctuary requiring Florida scuba divers to respect the corals and marine life.

It is some 6 miles from Key Largo and as a result is one of the less frequented dive sites.

It is easily identified by the 100ft high Carysfort lighthouse built in 1852.

The waters here, fed by the Gulf Stream, are rich in food and high in quality.

As a result this is probably the healthiest reef in the whole system, with tremendous coral formations and spectacular fish including some predators that enjoy the rich pickings.

This reef is full of life, with lobsters, invertebrates, crustaceans, various corals and a huge variety of fish.

Key Largo Scuba Videos

One of the attractions of Florida Key scuba diving is that you will be able to take underwater photographs or underwater videos such as the one below. With excellent light and clear waters you will be able to get some excellent shots.

This video was taken at Carysfort Lighthouse where the shallow reefs and shallow wall gives excellent light and gives you an idea of what to expect diving off the Florida coast (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)…

Carysfort Lighthouse - TerenceTerence’s Log

Carysfort Reef, Carysfort Lighthouse
Depth: 0-6m (2-20ft)
Visibility: 9-39m (30-130ft)
Diving along a coral wall face
Plenty of fish
Novice
Snorkeling: Yes

When I dived at this site we had excellent weather and the visibility was great.

After dinner I snorkeled the extensive shallows and thoroughly enjoyed myself the fish were plentiful and the Elkhorn coral stunning.

During my afternoon dive I was fortunate to see some nurse sharks, eagle rays and a lemon shark!

Key Largo Dive Sites:

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