Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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Rock Key is a coral reef located approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of Key West, Florida, and is part of the Florida Keys Reef Tract, the third-largest living coral barrier reef in the world. The site is a well-rounded reef known for its coral fingers, fish-filled gullies, and coral canyons, and is frequently visited alongside nearby reefs such as Sand Key and Eastern Dry Rocks.
The reef reaches a maximum depth of around 33 feet (9.9 m), with shallower areas suitable for snorkeling as well as diving. The terrain is characterized by coral formations and gullies that create a varied underwater landscape well suited to exploration and underwater photography.
Rock Key supports diverse marine life including stony corals and schools of tropical fish. The site's clear waters and coral structure make it a consistent destination for both divers and snorkelers throughout the year. Water temperatures range from around 21–31°C (70–88°F) depending on the season, and visibility is generally excellent, often exceeding 21 m (70 feet).
Access is by boat, and current at the site is typically gentle. Rock Key is considered beginner-friendly and suits casual snorkelers as well as divers looking for a straightforward, photogenic reef dive.
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
Bicolor DamselfishStegastes partitusReported here · unconfirmed
Yellowtail SnapperOcyurus chrysurusReported here · unconfirmed
Striped ParrotfishScarus iseriReported here · unconfirmed
Slippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusReported here · unconfirmed
Redband ParrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatumReported here · unconfirmed
Yellowhead WrasseHalichoeres garnotiReported here · unconfirmed
Brazilian Ocean SurgeonfishAcanthurus bahianusReported here · unconfirmed
Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
White GruntHaemulon plumieriiReported here · unconfirmedDurable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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