Horseshoe Reef
Coral Reef Diving in Key Largo with Sail Fish Scuba
This patch reef lies just North of the famous Key Largo Dry Rocks, home to the Christ of the Abyss site. Horseshoe Reef has an amazing patch of Elkhorn coral and to the west is a mysterious huge anchor (if you can find it). Amazing site for divers & snorkelers alike. Max depth 26 feet. If you know where to find them, there are 2 different swim-throughs. Tons of fish at this site, great location to complete your Fish ID specialty – check out our instruction page for this wonderful class taught at an amazingly low price!
Horseshoe Reef Dive Site Description
Horseshoe reef is one of the most diverse sites we have in all the Florida Keys. At this site, there is the largest field of Elkhorn corals. You will also find at least 3 cavernous swim through areas, and massive overhanging areas of corals where silverside minnows live every single year from around May till November. These minnow make a very nice constant meal for Goliath Groupers, so look closely in the shadows of these caverns and over hangs and you may see one of these giants looking back at you.
There must have been ships wrecked onto this reef over the years, because at this site you will find nearly 20 huge bricks of coal that were used to fuel old boat engines.
Diver Dan a local scuba instructor started a “tall tale” back in 2012 about horses with golden horseshoes on their feet having been on a barge that sank at this site, and sadly many folks now have been tearing this reef apart and digging holes everywhere and turning over chunks of the reef. This story is 100% not true, and we can honestly tell you were were around and heard him starting this tale. Please do not harm this amazing site of beauty looking for golden horseshoes, you are just as likely to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
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Maximum Dive Depth
26'
Horseshoe Reef Additional Information
Next to the Christ of the Abyss, this is the most requested reef site to visit by snorkelers and divers alike.
Max depth 26 feet deep, and most shallow is around 10 feet.