Horseshoe Reef - Florida

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.

Grecian Rocks is a beautiful Sanctuary Protected Area. At low tide the top of the reef is actually above the water’s surface which is how it got its name. The max depth is 30 feet on the diving side of the reef. The inside is ideal for snorkelers as the reef protects them from wave action and it’s only 15ft.

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 Twist is one of many sites included in the French Reef Sanctuary Protected Area. It’s in the shallow part of the reef so depths range between 15ft and 30ft and has some excellent swim throughs.

Hardbottom Cave is located in the French Reef Sanctuary Protected Area and is a fun swim through. Depths around this area range between 20 ft and 35ft.