Key West Scuba Diving
Middle Keys Reef Information

Looe Key Reef
Diver Skill Level  Novice Thru Advanced
Depth 5 - 35 Feet
Current (Light to Moderate)

    Looe Key offers one of the most varied and prolific reefs in the
Florida Keys. In 1744 the Frigate H.M.S. Looe ran aground giving the
Key and reef its name. What remains of the ship is just the anchor
and ballast stones. At the eastern end of the reef about 200 yards
from the marker. Now it is all encrusted and only the trained eye
can pick it out from the reef. Looe Key Reef is unlike any other reef
in the Florida Keys. It's varied life is a mix of the patch reefs found
in the lower Keys, and the outside reefs found in the upper keys.
With their fingers of fire, elkhorn, and stagehorn corals.

    The water temperature seldom requires more than a wet suit top.
The fish from several different enviromental zones call this reef home.
So there is a wide variety to be seen. The reef is about 200 yards wide,
and about 800 yards long. It is roughly in the shape of a Y. With some
parts of the reef awashed, and others cut with 35 foot gullies. You will
find that diver of all skill levels will delight in the beauty of this reef.
Looe Key Reef is a must dive in Key West or the rest of the Florida Keys.
Weather you are Diving the upper or lower keys try to squeeze in at lease
one dive here. It is a short drive from either end of the keys.