Molasses Reef
Conditions & tides
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.
Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?
About this site
Molasses Reef is a large coral reef located off Key Largo in the Florida Keys, lying within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Its classic spur-and-groove formation begins just below the surface and drops gradually to 55 feet (about 17 m), with most diving concentrated between 25 and 35 feet (8–11 m). Coral ridges separated by white sand channels create a natural amphitheater-like layout of hard and soft coral formations.
Visibility is reliably strong, aided by the nearby Gulf Stream, and typically runs 30–60 feet (9–18 m). Current is usually light, and water temperature stays warm year-round at 75–88°F (24–31°C). The site is accessible only by boat, with dive boats departing from Key Largo marinas; there is no shore diving anywhere in the Florida Keys.
Marine life at Molasses is diverse across the depth range. Dense schools of yellowtail snapper and blue-striped grunts move through the coral alongside parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. Nurse sharks rest under ledges, southern stingrays glide over the sand channels, spotted eagle rays pass through regularly, and reef sharks appear on occasion. Loggerhead and green sea turtles are common, particularly in the shallower sections.
Read the full guideShow less
The reef suits all certified divers, including those newly qualified at Open Water level, and the shallow, calm conditions also make it suitable for snorkeling. Snorkelers and scuba divers frequently share the same boat trip to this site.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
ButterflyfishButterflyfishReported here · unconfirmed
Moray eelMoray eelReported here · unconfirmed
LobsterLobsterReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse SharkGinglymostoma cirratumConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Reef sharkReef sharkConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Sea turtleSea turtleConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
StingrayStingrayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Striped ParrotfishScarus iseriReported here · unconfirmed
Brazilian Ocean SurgeonfishAcanthurus bahianusReported here · unconfirmed
Yellowhead WrasseHalichoeres garnotiReported here · unconfirmed
AngelfishAngelfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
GrouperGrouperReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse sharkNurse sharkConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
Yellowtail SnapperOcyurus chrysurusReported here · unconfirmed
Caribbean Bluehead WrasseThalassoma bifasciatumReported here · unconfirmed
Redband ParrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatumReported here · unconfirmed
Bicolor DamselfishStegastes partitusReported here · unconfirmed
White GruntHaemulon plumieriiReported here · unconfirmed
Slippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusReported here · unconfirmed
Clown WrasseHalichoeres maculipinnaReported here · unconfirmed
Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
ParrotfishParrotfishConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
BarracudaBarracudaReported here · unconfirmed
Eagle rayEagle rayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
No notes yet. Dived here? Be the first to leave a tip.
Share a write-up or a photo. Submissions are reviewed before they appear on the page.
Nearby dive sites
Shops that dive here
No shops have listed this site yet.