The Haystacks

Joe’s Tug - 60ft to 70ft Private mooring ball. Tug boat wreck scattered throughout a wonderful reef. Typically there is an eel in the stern section and many schools of yellowtail and other fish around the bow. We call this agreat reef with a wreck in the middle. Ask how it ended up getting its name.

This is the middle reef dive site that makes up the Sambo Reef area near Key West, Florida. These reefs lie in a marine reserve and are home to healthy coral and lots of fish.

15 minutes south of Key West is the Western Sambo Reef. This reef is one of two Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Ecological Reserves. It is fully protected from all types of fishing. Depth runs from 7-40 feet.

20 minutes directly south of Key West is the Eastern Sambo Reef. This reef is located inside the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve and is fully protected from all types of fishing. The reef is approximately nine square miles of spur-and-groove type coral formations. The reef ranges from 10-4 feet’ in depth.

6 miles to the south of Key West is Cannonball Cut. This dive site does not have a mooring ball which makes it a good place for drift diving. This site consists of continuing fields of coral. Maximum depth is 18m/60 feet. This site is good for drift diving as well as lionfish hunting.

Cayman Salvager is one of the three Key West dive sites that are part of the Florida Keys Wreck Trek program. This is a popular fishing and diving site a short distance from Key West.

Stone wall, steep drop. Protected harbor but also prone to oily residue from the boats. Suitable for night dives. Shore entry possible. Not a notable dive spot although many locals appear to lobster here.

6 Miles south of Key West is Marker 32 reef. This site is located adjacent to Western Sambos reef. This reef has two mooring balls on it. Very easy dive site with spur-and-groove style coral formations.

This is one of the most famous dive sites in Key West. Sunk over 10 years ago this Ex-Military Missile Tracking Ship varies in depth from 70 feet to 100 plus feet and is for advanced and expert divers only.

Training lagoon for College of the Florida Keys. Permission and fees required for use. Restricted to use by the college or local dive shops after screening.