Discover Key Largo: Premier Florida Scuba Diving Destination

Key Largo, Florida, is a premier destination for scuba diving enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of underwater experiences. The area boasts over 100 unique dive sites, including extensive coral reefs, artificial reefs, wrecks, ledges, and walls.

Christ of the Abyss Key Largo Dry Rocks (Courtesy of Life on Lady)

Dive Centers and Services

Key Largo Scuba Diving (KLSD): Offers daily dive trips, scuba instruction, and snorkeling tours. They provide guided audio coral reef dive tours with underwater communications for all divers.

Sea Dwellers Dive Center: Operating since 1972, they offer morning and afternoon combination 2-tank, 2-location dive and snorkel trips.

Rainbow Reef Dive Center: A PADI 5 Star Instructor/Career Development Center with a customized dive fleet catering to various group sizes.

Horizon Divers: Provides diving and snorkeling trips suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced divers.

What are the best dive sites in Key Largo

Molasses Reef:

Depth: Shallow to deep dives available.
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced.
Features: Known for its vibrant coral and diverse marine life, Molasses Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in the Florida Keys.

Christ of the Abyss Statue:

Depth: Approximately 25 feet.
Experience Level: Suitable for snorkelers and novice divers.
Features: A 9-foot-tall bronze statue located in a stunning reef area, known for its brain corals.

USS Spiegel Grove:

Depth: 65-130 feet.
Experience Level: Advanced to expert.
Features: A 510-foot-long shipwreck, intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. It offers extensive swim-through passages and is teeming with marine life.

USCGC Duane:

Depth: Approximately 120 feet.
Experience Level: Advanced.
Features: A 327-foot-long Coast Guard cutter, known for its upright position and abundant marine life, including barracudas and bull sharks.

Benwood Wreck:

Depth: 25-45 feet.
Experience Level: Novice to intermediate.
Features: A shallow wreck with plenty of nooks for exploration, home to eels, shrimp, and various fish species.

French Reef:

Depth: Shallow to deep dives available.
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced.
Features: Offers both shallow and deep dive opportunities with a chance to see larger marine life during drift dives.

Conch Wall:

Depth: Varies.
Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced.
Features: Known for its drift diving opportunities, offering a dynamic underwater experience.

These sites provide a mix of coral reefs, shipwrecks, and diverse marine life, making Key Largo a premier destination for scuba diving.

What are the top-rated dive sites for beginners in Key Largo

Molasses Reef:

Depth: Shallow to deep dives available.
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced.
Features: Known for its vibrant coral and diverse marine life, Molasses Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in the Florida Keys. It offers a variety of depths suitable for beginners.

Benwood Wreck:

Depth: Approximately 25-45 feet.
Experience Level: Novice.
Features: A shallow wreck that provides a beginner-friendly wreck diving experience. It’s a great spot to explore and see marine life like eels and shrimp.

Christ of the Abyss Statue:

Depth: Approximately 25 feet.
Experience Level: Suitable for snorkelers and novice divers.
Features: Located in a stunning reef area, this site is famous for its bronze statue and offers a shallow, easy dive experience.

Pickles Reef:

Depth: Approximately 1.5-9 meters (5-30 feet).
Experience Level: Suitable for all.
Features: Known for its small coral structures and ongoing coral restoration efforts. It’s a great spot for beginners to observe marine life in a shallow setting.

Snapper Ledge:

Depth: Approximately 4-8 meters (13-26 feet).
Experience Level: Suitable for all.
Features: Offers a magical experience with huge schools of snappers and other fish. It’s a shallow site with light to medium current, making it accessible for beginners.

My Favorite Dive Computers

I have compared the 3 top diving computers for each category to help making the right choice easier:

What are the best times of year to dive in Key Largo

Key Largo offers excellent diving conditions year-round, but the best times to dive depend on your preferences regarding water temperature, marine life, and crowd levels. Here’s a breakdown of the best times to dive in Key Largo:

Spring (March to May):

Water Temperature: Warms up to around 75-77°F (24-25°C) in March and April, reaching 80°F (27°C) by May.
Conditions: Calm seas, clear waters, and a variety of marine life. This period is ideal for beginners as the conditions are generally favorable.
Crowds: Peak tourist season during spring break, so expect more crowds.

Summer (June to August):

Water Temperature: Peaks at over 85°F (29°C), making it ideal for warm-water enthusiasts.
Conditions: Calm and clear waters, with abundant marine life. This is a great time for spotting larger pelagic fish.
Crowds: High tourist season, but the calm conditions make it a popular time for diving.

Fall (September to November):

Water Temperature: Gradually cools down from the summer highs but remains pleasant in the mid-80s (29-30°C).
Conditions: Generally calm with good visibility, and fewer tourists compared to spring and summer.
Crowds: Lower than in spring and summer, making it a good time for those seeking a more relaxed experience.

Winter (December to February):

Water Temperature: Coolest, ranging from around 70°F (21°C) in January.
Conditions: Clear waters and fewer crowds, but cooler temperatures might require wetsuits.
Crowds: Lower tourist season, which can be beneficial for those seeking a quieter experience.

Additional Considerations

Hurricane Season: Officially runs from June 1 to November 30, but diving conditions can still be good during this time if no storms are present.
Marine Life: Different seasons offer unique opportunities to see various marine species. For example, spring is known for coral spawning, while winter offers sightings of Great Hammerhead sharks.

Are there any dive packages that include accommodations in Key Largo

Sea Dwellers Dive Center:

Offers dive packages with accommodations at three different hotels located on Key Largo Harbor Marina. These packages include discounts on rooms and diving, with easy access to local restaurants and shops.
Partners with the Holiday Inn Key Largo Resort & Marina to provide packages that include a standard room for up to four people, plus any combination of 2-location dive trips daily, with tanks and weights included.

Rainbow Reef Dive Center:

Provides custom dive and stay packages with accommodations at hotels like the Courtyard by Marriott and Holiday Inn. These packages include dive trips, tanks, weights, and a dive guide.
Offers great hotel rates when booking through Rainbow Reef, allowing you to build your own custom package with real-time quotes.

Amoray Dive Resort:

Offers dive and stay packages that include room accommodations, diving costs, tanks, weights, and complimentary snorkeling equipment. Guests can enjoy a 15% discount for stays of two nights or more.

Holiday Inn Key Largo: