Probably the most requested and recognized dive site in the Florida Keys, the Christ of the Abyss is a 10 ft tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ sitting in about 25 feet of water, making this an excellent, easy dive for all levels including snorkelers.

One of the many wrecks of Elbow Reef, the Hannah M. Bell was for many years known as Mike’s Wreck. The shallow side is about 18 ft deep with the deeper side being about 30 ft. Perfect for reef divers, new divers, and a relaxing dive on an iconic wreck.

This site is part of the Florida State Park system and has protected status. It’s also home to the Boy Scouts of America SeaBase camp program. With shallow, clear water, plenty of reef life, and easy access just offshore, this site is a great dive for beginners and also snorkelers.

Banana Patch is on the southern end of the Grecian Rocks area. The reef gets its name from a long sloping ledge that bends around like a banana as it heads out to sea. The top of the ledge is about 10 feet, and it runs off into about 40 feet. There are healthy hard and soft corals, and the colors are very bright.

The Benwood is a 360ft World War II wreck that sank April 9, 1942. She was carrying a cargo of phosphate rock and running blacked out to avoid German U-boats that were rumored to be in the area. The ship Robert C. Tuttle was also running blacked out and the two ships collided.

Christmas Tree Cave is a fun swim through located in the French Reef Sanctuary Protected Area. It’s named Christmas Tree Cave for the large Star Coral Formation on the top.

Carysfort Reef is one of the more remote reefs in the Upper Keys and is the largest Sanctuary Protected Area in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It’s 2.2 square miles and, at the shallowest area, has a large lighthouse.

French Reef is a Sanctuary Protected Area located about seven miles southeast of Key Largo. It ranges in depth from about fifteen feet to forty feet. It’s known for having winding channels and a plethora of fun swim throughs.

The Coral Restoration Foundation Nursery can only be visited with special permissions. Divers can take classes with the Coral Restoration Foundation and volunteer to help at the coral nursery.

Aquarium is a gorgeous dive site located on Molasses Reef. It always has a plethora of fish life around the high-profile coral formations. While current can sometimes be a factor to consider here, the coral is high enough to hide behind for the majority of the dive.