Sand Key is a small island Just off
Key West without any vegetation.
Its
only feature is a
red iron lighthouse that was built in 1853. This small
island is always being
reshaped by the winter storms, and the summer
hurricanes. This is one of the most used dive spots in the lower keys. But
with its size and
diversity
even on busy days it does not seem that crowed.
The reef itself is made
up of Rock fingers and gullies 5-20 feet deep with
sandy channels running
along their base. Here you will find lots of Elkhorn,
staghorn, and fire corals. Beginners use the northern side with its coral heads
and mixed
rubble close to the lagoon. the south side slopes away to 65 feet.
Then it
drops to about 90 feet in some places. the visibility can vary quite a bit.
It can be as bad as 15 feet to as good as 100+ feet . The average is 40-60
feet. With the best being in the late spring and summer when the Gulf
Stream moves closer.
A unique and interesting feature of this island was recorded by the Spanish
early on and remains true; the island changes with the weather patterns. This
means that each dive at this location is different from the next. There is
also an incredible view of Key West if one desires to climb the nearby light
tower. This key gets its beauty from the crushed coral and small shells that
make the sand.
