Best Scuba Dive Sites in Florida
Florida is the #1 state in the US for scuba diving and features the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo. Key Largo and the Florida Keys isn't the only area with great diving opportunities though. Here is a list of the best dive sites in the state of Florida.
Neptune Memorial Reef
Closest City: Key Biscayne
Depth: 40 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Crab, Lobster, Morays, Nurse Sharks, Grouper, Rays
Notable Attributes: The largest man-made reef.
Christ of the Abyss
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 25 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Grouper, Morays, Nurse Sharks, Rays
Notable Attributes: Statue of Jesus submerged 25 feet under water
Blue Heron Bridge
Closest City: West Palm Beach
Depth: 20 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Rays, Flounder, Octopi, Barracuda
Notable Attributes: Macro photographers from around the country frequent this spot.
USS Spiegel Grove
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 80-130 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Bull Sharks, Barracuda, Schools of Jack, Grouper
Notable Attributes: Site of the USS Spiegel Grove, a 510 foot ship.
Molasses Reef
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 10-70 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Lobster, Crab, Morays, Turtles, Rays, Nurse Sharks
Notable Attributes: Spur and groove coral formations
French Reef
Closest City: Key Largo
Depth: 50-85 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Rays, Turtles, Hammerhead Sharks, Reef Sharks
Notable Attributes: Vibrant coral!
Devil's Den
Location: Williston
Depth: 50 feet
Wildlife: A small turtle named Nelson
Notable Attributes: A freshwater prehistoric spring. Water temperatures are always 72 degrees, cold for Florida.
Biscayne National Park
Closest City: Homestead
Depth: 55-85 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Octopi, Morays, Nurse Sharks
Notable Attributes: It's an underwater National Park. If you don't have your own boat with proper permits, the only charter company to take you diving is Tropic Scuba.
Rainbow River
Location: Dunnellon
Depth: 25 feet
Wildlife: Fish, Turtles, Otters
Notable Attributes: This is a drift dive as you're in a river situated in Central Florida.
USS Oriskany
Closest City: Pensacola
Depth: 84-212 feet
Wildlife: Reef Fish, Bull Sharks, Barracuda, Schools of Jack, Grouper
Notable Attributes: The USS Oriskany is one of the largest wrecks in the world at 911 feet. Only the best divers should attempt.
