Dive Sites Near Upper Key Largo

Site Name

Dive Type

Difficulty

GPS

Max Depth

Map

1

 Scott Mason-Chaite Wreck Tech ONLY 25°23.500 N
80°7.500 W		 256'  
 
  Built in Germany in 1961, this refrigerated freighter is 297 feet long with a 40 foot beam and was originally named MV Holstenau. She was sold to an American company in 1977 and her name was changed to MV Ocean Freeze. In 1980, she was sold again and given the name Scott Mason-Chaite.
  The ship was sunk as an artificial reef on July 28, 1998. She settled upside down with her rudder as her highest point and her frame resting on the inverted superstructure of her stern. With an almost 20 foot swim through, you can dive underneath the wreck where remnants are spilled onto the ocean floor. You'll also find some unexpected items left behind by previous divers such as Mardi Gras beads, a picnic table, and a tire hung from a rope as a swing.
Markers - None.
Details - Ship is completely inverted, pointing north, and turned towards the prevailing current. There is plenty of room to penetrate openings and peek through portholes. Be warned, eventually, she will cave and that swim through will be gone forever, along with any diver trapped inside.
Marine Life - Numerous species of baitfish, barracuda, snapper, grouper, goliath grouper, coral and oyster, amberjack, bristleworms, shark.
Recommended Certifications - Technical diving.

2

 Nuestra Señora del Populo Wreck Novice 25°21.850 N
80°9.690 W		 30'  
 
  Travelling with the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet, this small, fast ship was the dispatch vessel. She was often referred to as El Pinque, which translates to The Pink and was the property of King Philip V of Spain. The hurricane of 1733 sealed the fate of El Populo along with most of the Spanish Treasure Fleet when they sank or foundered on July 15.
   On this voyage, The Pink was carrying a load of tobacco, exotic woods, citrus, several types of dye, hides and gifts. It didn't take long for the water to enter her hull, flooding her chambers. This soaked the water absorbing tobacco, which added to the crushing weight, escalating her breakup.
Markers - None.
Details - This site was heavily salvaged before it became protected as part of the Biscayne National Park. Site currently has scattered ballast and timber but there is a massive assortment of marine life.
Marine Life - A variety of coral, sea grasses, grouper, hogfish, snapper, moray eels, damselfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, angelfish, blue tang, spiny lobster, sea urchins, gobies, wrasses, yellowtail.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

3

 Whistle Buoy Wreck Wreck Tech ONLY 25°17.762 N
80°9.020 W		 220'  
 
  This wreck is also referred to as Harris Freighter. Her build is very typical of what you would expect a freighter to be, and she sits at about 220 feet in depth, near Pacific Reef. The ship is about 170 feet long and was intentionally sunk, so it's likely that the scuttling charges were responsible for a section of the bow being severed from the stern. This break in the ship occurs about 50 feet from where the wheelhouse once stood. The missing piece of bow, lies about 200 feet from the debris field.
  At the stern, which is about 100 feet long, you'll discover the freighter's wheelhouse. This has fallen and is now crumpled backwards, again perhaps due to the scuttling charge.
Markers - Whistle Buoy.
Details - The ship is broken into 2 sections with a section of the bow separated some distance from rest of ship. Larger pieces of scattered debris line the wreck site.
Marine Life - Baitfish, sea turtle, tropicals, shark, sponges, amberjack, spotted eagle rays, coral, goliath grouper, snapper, grouper, spiny oysters, silver jacks, sailfish.
Recommended Certifications - Technical diving.

4

 Thiorva Wreck Novice 25°16.927 N
80°12.425 W		 15'  
 
  Discovered in the 1950's, the Thiorva Wreck is somewhat of a diving mystery. Except for the nameplate which identified her, the schooner's origin was unknown until Steve Singer, author of "Shipwrecks of Florida", discovered more details while researching data for the 3rd Edition of his book.
  The Thiorva was a Norwegian vessel sailing out of Pensacola for Geestemunde, Germany. As so many vessels before her, this ship met with disaster when she sank due to a late September hurricane in 1894. Luckily, her crew made it to shore in Key West.
Markers - Buoys T1 - T4 mark Turtle Reef.
Details - A cannon, her anchor and pieces of timber and ballast are what remain. She's a mostly unknown vessel except for the nameplate that was discovered in the 1950s.
Marine Life - Stony and gorgonian corals, nurse shark, sea turtles, yellowtail, large assortment of tropical fish.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

5

 Turtle Reef Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°16.540 N
80°12.493 W		 25'  
 
  Located on the very northern edge of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, Turtle Reef is also known as Turtle Rocks. The reef was either named after the turtles or the coral reef's shape.
Markers - T1 - T4 mooring buoys.
Details - The diving at Turtle Reef is on the east side, and you'll also want to explore the ballast and timber which is about all that remains of the Thiorva. This is also a good coral reef for underwater photography. The sandy bottom is at about 25' with the reef at 10'.
Marine Life - Hawksbill, loggerhead and green sea turtles plus coral resembling turtle. Moray eels, eagle eels and nurse shark frequent the caves.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

6

 Carysfort Reef Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°13.780 N
80°12.000 W		 25'  
 
  Named for the HMS Carysfort that grounded in 1770. Less frequented due to it's further out location. This is one of the largest reefs in standard spur coral formation. It's more dangerous for boats and ships because of it's shallower depths and size. Good underwater photography site.
Markers - 2 buoys.
Details - Unusual double spur formation, with the first and smaller formation comprised of live coral. The second spur is made up of older and deeper fossil coral ridges with sand channels. Rapid drop off to ocean floor and the descent is filled with staghorn, brain and sheet coral.
Marine Life - Vast variety and number of tropical fish, squid, eel, game fish, shark and sturgeon, staghorn, star and elkhorn coral, brain, sheet coral, sponges, grouper and large barrel sponges. Barracuda swim in the area at the base of the lighthouse.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

7

 HMS Winchester Wreck Novice 25°12.179 N
80°13.517 W		 28'  
 
  In 1695 only two years after she was built, the crew of the HMS Winchester were struck by scurvy. With the death of many, and her crew greatly weakened, she wrecked on a reef just south of Carysfort Light. Her remains are visible in 28 feet of water inside Pennekamp Park.
  The Winchester, a British man-of-war, was 121-feet in length. She had a beam of 38 feet and carried 60 guns. Almost all of her 400 crew were lost, mostly to disease.
Markers - No mooring buoys.
Details - Coral reaches almost to water's surface. Cannonballs, ballast stones, and scattered pins are the sole remnants of this ship wrecked in 1695. A few caves and swim-throughs are at this site.
Marine Life - Large elkhorn coral and different species of stony and gorgonian coral, yellowtail, tropicals including, blue tang, blue parrotfish, damsel fish, angelfish, barracuda, moray eel, shark.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

8

 Tonawanda Wreck Intermediate - Advanced 25°8.850 N
80°15.462 W		 20'  
 
  Originally named the Arkansas, this steamer was built in 1863 and purchased in June of that year by the Union Navy. Commissioned September 5, 1863, she served in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron as a tug and transport vessel. At 191 feet long with a 35 foot beam, her sails were rigged barkentine, which means that her foremast was full or square rigged sails and her other two masts were schooner rigged, or fore-and-aft rigged. She was also equipped with an engine providing her with a top speed of 15 knots.
  This vessel was military so she was armed for battle. On board she carried four 32 pound smooth bore cannons, one 12 pound rifle cannon, plus a 20 pound rifle. It was on September 27, 1864, while under Acting Lieutenant David Cate's command, that she captured the Confederate vessel, the "Watchful". This enemy ship had a successful history of running Union blockades.
  After the war she was decommissioned and on July 20, 1865, a private company purchased her. Her new role, as part of their merchant fleet, was to carry passengers and cargo from Boston to Cuba. In honor of her new position, she was renamed Tonawanda. Barely 9 months later, on March 27, 1866, under the command of John Berry, she foundered on Elbow Reef on her way to Cuba.
Markers - None.
Details - Wreck is broken up with remnants scattered over a wide area. A 6' cannon is of interest located about 130' from the wreck. Few remaining pieces of wood are held together by bronze and copper pins and washers.
Marine Life - Abundance of stony and gorgonian coral, crab, green moray eels, grouper, yellowtail, nurse shark, numerous tropical fish including damselfish, angelfish.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

9

 City of Washington Wreck Novice 25°08.786 N
80°15.354 W		 25'  
 
  Built in 1877 she had a length of 320 feet, a beam of 38 feet, and sported 3 decks with the ability to carry 400 passengers and crew members. In 1898 she was involved in a major maritime event when the USS Maine exploded near her in Havana's Harbor. Suffering only minimal damage to her deck house and lifeboats, she and the Alfonso XII rescued 100 of the approximately 360 crew members aboard the fiery USS Maine. To help with the treatment and care of the injured sailors, her dining salon was turned into temporary hospital quarters.
  During the Spanish-American War, the US Army Quartermaster Department was responsible for securing merchant vessels to help with the transport of troops and material to the war front. The City of Washington was duly hired and served from April - September 1898. Released from military duty she returned to plying the waters ferrying passengers and cargo until her retirement in 1908. It was in 1911, with her glory faded, that she was purchased, stripped and began her final career as a coal barge.
  Her fateful day arrived on July 10, 1917. She and the Seneca were being towed by the Luckenback 4, when all foundered on Elbow Reef.
Markers - There are two mooring buoys and an historical marker buoy on site.
Details - This is a great Key Largo snorkeling and night diving site. Hull and keel shapes are still apparent but the remains are primarily deteriorated and spread over a 300' span.
Marine Life - Barracuda, nurse shark, grouper, green moray eels, different varieties of coral, flame oysters, yellowtail, spiny lobster, and a large assortment of tropical fish are in the area including parrotfish, blue tang, angelfish.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

10

 Mike's Wreck Wreck Novice 25°08.673 N
80°15.393 W		 25'  
 
  Mike's Wreck is named after the diver that found the wreck, Mike. It was later discovered to be the British transport steamship Hannah M. Bell, a 315-foot British steel-hulled steamship, built in 1893 by Ropner and Son in England. She was named for the woman who christened it. Prior to its demise, the ship made frequent transatlantic trips between European ports, the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, and Caribbean and South American ports. She transported a variety of bulk cargos including cotton, sugar and coal.
  On April 4, 1911, Hannah M. Bell was loaded with coal bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico when she grounded during a storm on Elbow Reef. With the ship's engine room flooded and holds filled with water, salvagers dispatched the wrecking tug Roosevelt to the scene. Before the tug arrived, however, the captain abandoned the vessel, as heavy weather tore the ship apart. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
Markers - Mooring buoys E2 and E3.
Details - The bow and stern have become overgrown with marine life. Remnants of pipe and other debris scatter the area.
Marine Life - Large variety of fish including parrotfish, angelfish, blue tang, butterflyfish, nurse sharks, grunts, spotted eagle rays, lots of coral including brain, star, elkhorn, sea fan, eels, sea turtles, gobies.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, Coral Reef Conservation.

11

 Elbow Reef Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°08.610 N
80°15.440 W		 45'  
 
  Elbow Reef is home to numerous wrecks. Mike's Wreck now finally known as the Hannah M. Bell, the City of Washington, and the Tonawanda are underwater photography meccas well worth planning dive trips to. This reef is perfect for anyone scuba diving at night because of it's lighted tower. The reef is further from shore which means it doesn't receive the heavier traffic that other sites receive. Also, the water is exceptionally clear since the Gulf Stream passes close by so exploring the reef and wrecks is visually easier.
Markers - E1 - E10 mooring buoys.
Details - This Key Largo diving site is not as busy due to further out location. Spur and grove coral reef is situated further from shore so numerous ships have wrecked here. City of Washington, Mike's Wreck, and the Tonawanda are here. Name is derived from the shape of reef with its south formation turning southwest. The Deep or Nelson's Ledge is a popular drift dive spot.
Marine Life - Large and beautiful coral heads, some towering 15 feet to form small walls, along with numerous stony and gorgonian coral, crabs, spiny lobster, cleaning shrimp, numerous tropical fish such as angelfish, damselfish, flame oysters, green moray eels.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Multi-Level, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

12

 Horseshoe Reef Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°08.362 N
80°17.641 W		 25'  
 
  Horseshoe Reef is named for the "U" shaped hole in the coral. The reef is close to shore so the visibility may not be as good as other more distant reefs.
Markers - 1 mooring buoy at northeast corner with another just southeast of that.
Details - The shallow reef is U-shaped giving the reef it's name. There are east - west sandy ledges where marine life congregate. An old anchor along with occasional pieces of pumice can be found.
Marine Life - (HR) Star and elkhorn coral mostly at the northeast end, sea turtle, jack, snapper, octopus, nurse sharks, numerous tropical fish.
(NNDR) Stony and gorgonian coral, large coral heads, elephant ear sponges, angelfish, yellowtails, shrimp, vast variety of other tropical and game fish.
(NDR) Numerous tropical fish, game fish, barracuda, spiny lobsters, shrimp, nurse shark, eel, colorful varieties of fan and finger and other coral.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

13

 North North Dry Rocks Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°08.221 N
80°17.435 W		 30'  
 
  Also known as Double North, this reef is super shallow which makes for some of the best snorkeling the Florida Keys has. The colorful fish and coral are plentiful, and some of the coral is absolutely massive in size.
Markers - 1 mooring buoy at northeast corner with another just southeast of that.
Details - One of the more beautiful Key Largo diving sites with good spur and coral formation on this ridge, colorful coral, and numerous tropical fish.
Marine Life - Stony and gorgonian coral, large coral heads, elephant ear sponges, angelfish, yellowtails, shrimp, vast variety of other tropical and game fish.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

14

 North Dry Rocks Reef Novice - Intermediate 25°07.840 N
80°17.660 W		 35'  
 
  At North Dry Rocks, you'll discover one of the most incredible experiences a diver can enjoy. The popular Minnow Cave is alive with thousands of darting silver glass minnows that swim around, completely engulfing you.
Markers - 1 mooring buoy at northeast corner with another just southeast of that.
Details - Home of the popular "L" shaped Minnow Cave, divers can enter and then be surrounded by thousands of silver glass minnows.
Marine Life - Numerous tropical fish, game fish, barracuda, spiny lobsters, shrimp, nurse shark, eel, colorful varieties of fan and finger and other coral.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Multi-Level, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

15

 Christ of the Abyss Reef Novice 25°07.361 N
80°17.843 W		 30'  
 
  This large underwater statue is the second casting based upon the original designed by Guido Galletti. The original casting can still be seen diving in the Mediterranean Sea off of Genoa, Italy. This famous statue was designed in 1961 and was finally positioned in 1965. The statue is also a very substantial work of art. With it's concrete base, the 8.5 foot tall bronze statue weighs close to 20,000 pounds. It also rises up to within 11 feet of the water's surface as the statue's arms rise upward to the sky.
Markers - Numerous buoys are in the area of the statue
Details - Part of the Key Largo Existing Management Area. The circular patch reef is shaped somewhat like a hand with the 9 foot statue positioned between the fingers. It stands in about 24' of water and is located between mooring buoys D4 and D5. This is a popular snorkel, dive, wedding and photography site so can be quite crowded.
Marine Life - Brain coral, coral fingers, sea whips and sea rods, along with other gorgonian and stony coral are present. Grouper, snapper, barracuda, and numerous varieties of tropical fish.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.

16

 Grecian Rocks Reef Novice 25°06.639 N
80°18.241 W		 35'  
 
  Grecian Rocks is a shallow area that is one of the best snorkeling spots off Key Largo. The inside of the reef is also very protected from the wind and the seaward side. The water is already shallow at the reef, so at low tide you'll discover that parts of the coral are jutting above the surface.
Markers - None.
Details - Crescent shaped patch reef where the inside of the reef is very shallow and is best for Florida Keys snorkeling. The outer edges have good dive spots with coral ridges and many spur and groove formations.
Marine Life - Elkhorn, giant star, and brain coral, sea fans, sea sponges, numerous varieties of tropical fish including queen, blue, stoplight and princess parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish, angelfish, plus barracuda, eel, yellowtail.
Recommended Certifications - Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Boat, Drift, Multi-Level, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation.
Reef and Fish Cards
  Since there are thousands of different species of fish and coral, these ID cards will help you identify what you see under the ocean.