Wannadivers community a scuba social network is also available to meet divers around the world. From marathon you can get a boat ride out to snorkel the coffins patch area. This fascinating adventure can be done on the beaches in florida. Sombrero reef lighthouse marathon, florida outdoor. Long key anchorage, 3 miles north northwestward of tennessee reef light, has soft bottom in depths of 15 to 18 feet, but it is exposed to southerly winds. Popular shipwrecks, reefs, and wrecks of the florida keys. Specializing in families, our friendly crew will take you on a fun filled adventure to the either the sombrero reef marine sanctuary and lighthouse or to our. See vibrant sea life at the keys tallest lighthouse. Florida keys sombrero lighthouse coral reef 4k drone and gopro.
The name sombrero key goes back to the spanish, and old charts show a small island at the spot, but by the later 19th century the island had eroded away, with some parts of the reef exposed at low tide. The reefs all have names but the donut and the stake are the most popular. Overall, coffins patch is the 20th most popular snorkel dive spot of all 40 snorkeling dives in the florida keys. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys sombrero reef. The bright red of the stoplight parrotfish is brilliant against the coral courtesy of noaa coral reef conservation program. Several of the better snorkeling spots are nearby coffins patch including sombrero beach, sombrero reef, bahia honda state park, newfound harbor. It got its name from a large piece of iron pipe that juts several feet out of the water at an angle from the reef. A deep blue dive center deep blue marathon and key.
It is amazing that the reef is still in such good shape and there are tons of reef fish as soon as you tie up your boat. Seen are angel fish, butterfly fish, tangs and other tropical fish. Dozens of menacinglooking large barracuda guard the 142 foot tower. Informations on the diving spot of coffins patch marathon key. The lighthouse is located on a mostly submerged reef. Book passage today to visit these pristine snorkeling and scuba diving sites. Locals will tell you that snorkeling in the keys doesnt get any better than a trip to sombrero reef. We offer sombrero reef snorkeling trips as well as trips to coffins patch and other shallow patch reefs. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda, rays even eels read more date of experience. In here, you can visit two snorkeling spots, the donut, and the stake. Sanctuary preservation areas florida keys national. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl this is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida.
Snorkel boat trip looe keysombrerocoffins patch florida keys. Snorkeling tours marathon snorkeling tours marathon. The shallow depths allow divers of all skills to enjoy this dive spot. Coffins patch spa middle keys map coffins patch spa protects a shallow patch reef system that supports a wide array of marine life. Deep blue marathon and key colony snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling at sombrero reef and lighthouse in marathon key, fl. Its possible to see various tropical fish, grouper, skates, rays and small sharks. The reef is actually a collection of six distinct patch reefs as opposed one patch as the name implies. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys. Closer to the barrier reef with crystal clear waters, youll find more species varieties here than elsewhere. Sombrero reef diving in middle keys, united states of. Sombrero reef lighthouse is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in marathon, fl. We will plan everything right down to the last memorable detail.
If you didnt bring your boat there are plenty of boats and captains for hire to take you fishing for sharks, tarpon, bonefish, dolphin, tuna or. The shallow patch reefs of the coffins patch sanctuary preservation area spa, located approximately four nautical miles off key colony beach, offer some of. Corals such as pillar coral, elkhorn, lobed star, massive starlet coral, blade fire coral and sponges such as green finger, red boring, and black ball sponge are very healthy here. Had this posted in the key west forum and it was suggested that i post it in another place. The 10 best snorkeling spots in the florida keys coastal. South of marathon key, the sombrero reef is by far the most popular snorkeling dive site in the middle keys.
It was then decided that sombrero key would be a more stable location and construction crews abandoned the coffins patch site and reconvened at sombrero key in. We can get you hunting for lobsters or out trying your hand at spearfishing. Lower florida keys american shoal lighthouse content keys cosgrove shoal cottrell key reef eastern dry rocks lakes the loggerhead key looe key reef marquesas pelican shoal rebecca shoal rock key sambo shoal sand key south beach patches western dry rocks. Lots of beautiful reef fish, sea turtles, endangered elkhorn coral and dolphins filmed in hd. Exploring sanctuary zones and regulations florida keys. We also have daily sunset celebration trips and if weather permits we will snorkel. This snorkel spot is made up of six different reef patches, but the most popular sites to explore are the stake. General meade had recommended several different styles of lighthouses to be built at this point including masonry, an iron structure with a masonry foundation and a completely iron structure.
Florida keys diving locations florida keys and key west. Or perhaps you want to take a snorkel or dive trip on one of the many charters to coffins patch or sombrero lighthouse marine sanctuaries where you will feel like you are on an caribbean island. We offer trips to sombrero lighthouse, coffins patch, the world famous thunderbolt, and dozens of other diving locations around the area. Coffins patch is made up of about 6 different reefs, all unique, and all different. We offer sombrero reef snorkeling trips as well as trips to coffins patch. Spectacular indigo reef resort vacation rental in marathon. This is a healthy reef with pillar, star and convoluted brain coral which totally cover the shallow patch reef.
These are the best spots to snorkel in the florida keys. Sanctuary preservation areas spas within florida keys national marine sanctuary protect shallow reefs along the reef tract. Coffins patch, located just off marathon and duck key is another favored location for marathon snorkeling trips. The snorkeling depth at sombrero reef ranges from 2 to 25 feet deep. From the surface, sombrero reef can be spotted by its historic lighthouse that stands 140 feet high, 3. Sombrero key sanctuary preservation area spa has a spurandgroove reef formation with stands of elkhorn coral. Lee at gettysburg, meade was building lighthouses in the florida keys, completing sombrero light in 1858. Only three miles offshore of the north end of the sevenmile bridge is sombrero key, the most popular and largest coral reef system in this area. Conch reef spa upper keys map, in key largo ema conch reef. Pillar coral may be found at the west end of the spa at a depth of 25 feet. Both the fish and coral grow larger here because the reef is in a protected area. The best keys snorkeling is by far the middle keys.
Spas have mooring buoys for boaters to use in order to prevent anchor damage to corals. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. Middle florida keys coffins patch delta shoal sombrero reef. Tropical paradise in private gated resort with a free boat. The stake is roughly 400 feet by 75 feet oval shaped patch reef is the best known and most frequented of the coffins patch group. Coffins patch the middle keys the florida keys robin. Snorkeling sombrero reef and lighthouse at marathon key. At this boat accessed site, there is a large spur and groove coral reef with star coral, brain coral and elkhorn coral. This makes a great dive after the thunderbolt, especially on a day with strong currents. Let gemini dream charters host your enchanted once in a lifetime day on the beautiful florida keys waters.
Under the surface, the reef is a mostly shallow, watery dreamland of color owing to a vast array of coralelkhorn, fire, starlet, pillar, sea fans, and moreand fish species, including. Sombrero is a spur and groove coral reef and was deeper than coffins patch, but we could still see the marine life, just not as close as our previous trip. Its home to myriad tropical fish, coral, and marine animals, and its where the spanish ship ignacio sunk in the 18th century. Coffins patch from marathon, you can take a boat ride to reach coffins patch.
In addition to the wellknown coffins patch and sombrero reef snorkeling spots, there are many other healthy and beautiful shallow water patch reefs close to marathon and duck key, fl. There you can go off the shore and go to coffins patch and sombrero reef. In the shallow depths, the sandy floor is only about 8 feet bottoming out at 20 feet in the deeper patches. Prior to the civil war, the 142 foot sombrero key lighthouse was constructed 8 miles offshore of key colony beach. As a result, the reef and the lighthouse have also been called dry banks. Tangs, jacks, stingrays, nurse sharks, grouper, lobster, butterflyfish, and the curious moray all call coffins patch home, plying the easy currents among soft corals, up to threefoot round boulder coral, and some of the prettiest patches of pillar coral in the area. Scuba diving florida keys, dive marathons coral reefs. The sombrero reef extends from the base of the sombrero key lighthouse. Our private chartered trips allow you the freedom and flexibility to make the most of your experience and enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the keys. Middle keys reefs and shipwrecks florida go fishing.
Top snorkeling spots in the florida keys florida yacht. Free illustrated atlas of worldwide dive sites including maps, detailed descriptions and photos. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda, rays even eels. There were loads of colorful gorgeous fish who werent shy at all. Florida keys snorkelling at coffins patch reef fish sundance watersports. The pipe is actually one of several that are the remnants of a lighthouse that marked the reef. Yep, i had gathered that except for deep blue, the others went to looe key only and deep blue was just for sombrero and coffins patch. Hop on a boat to coffins patch, four nautical miles off key colony beach, for some of the best snorkeling in the middle keys. Sombrero lighthouse and snorkelling with spirit snorkeling. This snorkel spot is made up of six different reef patches, but the most popular sites to explore are the stake and the donut. Spas encompass discrete, biologically important areas that help sustain critical marine species and habitats. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. Farther out in bluer water is the amazing alligator reef lighthouse. Coffins patch this reef got its somewhat spooky name when a ship, loaded with new, empty coffins, struck it many years ago.
Sombrero reef is also known for its amazing visibility. Sombrero key light is located offshore of vaca key in marathon, florida. Sombrero key lighthouse courtesy cg the sombrero key lighthouse was designed by general george meade. With calm seas and good visibility, it is a special place in the florida keys. This protected reef area is one of the most spectacular in all of the florida keys. Many species of fish and other sea life are abundant on the patch reefs. Coffins patch is a shallow coral reef patch reef located within the florida keys national marine sanctuary. An interactive environment such as a moderated wiki engine providing diving content and data editing. The reef is dotted with several types of coral, including pillar coral and brain coral. We are crazy about scuba diving and we want to share that love. It could have been named ignacio instead a spanish galleon by that name hit this reef and sunk in 1733. Top snorkeling spots in the florida keys kraken aquatics. This reef lies within a sanctuary preservation area spa.
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