The Elbow

The Elbow sits within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo, on a shallow reef spur that has claimed several ships over the years, making it a mix of coral formations and old wreckage from vessels including Civil War era wrecks. Depths max out around 10.7 metres, and the site is rated an intermediate dive with light current and great visibility over a reef bottom. Divers commonly encounter brain coral, elkhorn coral, and reef fish typical of the upper Keys, and have also reported angelfish, barracuda, eagle rays, grouper, sea turtles, and snapper here. Its exposed position at the edge of the reef tract means conditions are worth checking before entry, but with its shallow depth and mild current it remains an approachable stop for both divers and snorkelers.

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

• Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
• Caribbean Bluehead WrasseThalassoma bifasciatumReported here · unconfirmed
• Redband ParrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatumReported here · unconfirmed
• Bicolor DamselfishStegastes partitusReported here · unconfirmed
• Striped ParrotfishScarus iseriReported here · unconfirmed
• Brazilian Ocean SurgeonfishAcanthurus bahianusReported here · unconfirmed
• Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
• Yellowtail SnapperOcyurus chrysurusReported here · unconfirmed
• Stoplight ParrotfishSparisoma virideReported here · unconfirmed
• Slippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusReported here · unconfirmed
• White GruntHaemulon plumieriiReported here · unconfirmed
• GrouperGrouperReported here · unconfirmed
• BarracudaBarracudaReported here · unconfirmed
• SnapperSnapperReported here · unconfirmed
• AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
• Eagle rayEagle rayReported here · unconfirmed