Eastern Dry Rocks

Eastern Dry Rocks is a reef about 6 miles (10 km) south of Key West, Florida, within the Florida Keys reef tract. The reef tract runs for more than 360 miles from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas and is the third-largest living coral barrier reef in the world.

The site lies in about 5 to 35 feet (1.5 to 11 m) of water, which makes it a shallow dive with long bottom times. It has dramatic coral heads, sponge gardens and crevices, and it is one of the best places in the area to see brain coral formations up close.

Marine life in the crevices and around the coral heads includes barracuda, parrotfish and lobster. The site suits snorkeling as well as shallow scuba diving, and visibility is generally good, which helps for photographing the coral formations.