Sombrero Reef

Sombrero Reef sits a few miles offshore from Marathon in the Florida Keys, marked by a lighthouse standing on the reef itself. It is a shallow spur and groove coral reef, commonly dived and snorkeled at depths of roughly 4 to 9 metres, making it accessible to beginners and popular for both diving and snorkeling trips out of Marathon. Divers typically encounter reef fish, sea fans, and the coral formations characteristic of the Keys' offshore reef tract, though the reef has suffered the coral decline seen across the region in recent decades. Calm, clear conditions are common, and the site is generally considered an easy dive suited to all experience levels.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Caribbean Bluehead WrasseThalassoma bifasciatumReported here · unconfirmed
• Slippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusReported here · unconfirmed
• Bicolor DamselfishStegastes partitusReported here · unconfirmed
• Redband ParrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatumReported here · unconfirmed
• Striped ParrotfishScarus iseriReported here · unconfirmed
• White GruntHaemulon plumieriiReported here · unconfirmed
• Brazilian Ocean SurgeonfishAcanthurus bahianusReported here · unconfirmed
• Clown WrasseHalichoeres maculipinnaReported here · unconfirmed
• Yellowhead WrasseHalichoeres garnotiReported here · unconfirmed
• Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed