Molasses Reef

A classic Keys coral reef. Molasses Reef is a spur-and-groove coral reef off Key Largo within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and one of the most dived reefs in the United States. Marked by a distinctive light tower and dotted with mooring buoys, it offers easy, colourful tropical diving over shallow, sunlit coral.

Coral fingers and sandy channels. The reef's classic structure of coral ridges separated by sand channels creates a maze of swim-throughs, overhangs and canyons at gentle depths. Brain and star corals, sea fans and sponges cover the ridges, while the grooves funnel schools of fish and make navigation intuitive for newer divers.

An ideal recreational site. Depths run from around 3 to 12 metres, making Molasses perfect for Open Water divers, snorkellers and training, with plenty to see well within no-decompression limits. Mild conditions prevail, though the offshore reef can carry current, so the buoy moorings keep boats and divers oriented.

Abundant reef life. The sanctuary's protection shows in schools of grunts and snapper, barracuda, moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks and the occasional eagle ray, all against warm, clear water. Reached by a short boat ride from Key Largo, Molasses is dived year-round, with the calmest seas and best visibility typically from late spring through summer.