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Sombrero Reef, A Top Photogenic Florida Keys Snorkeling Site

Sombrero Reef is a designated SPA area and is one of the more popular scuba diving and Florida Keys snorkeling destinations in the Marathon Florida area.

The area's name is derived from the 142' lighthouse which is located in the northern section of the SPA region.

This large reef is a good example of a standard spur and groove coral reef formation.

It also has one area in particular that's a huge favorite with anyone snorkeling or scuba diving Florida Keys.

The arch is a large, limestone structure decorated with numerous colorful stony and gorgonian coral and sea sponges that's also teeming with snapper, grunt and neon gobies.



Courtesy of YouTube and a1chilidog


With such variety in the marine life, this Florida Keys coral reef is considered to be one of the best and most colorful Florida Keys snorkeling and novice dive sites in the region.

Also, because the light is able to penetrate the shallow waters, everything is given a brighter tone. This makes it one of the best places to capture some absolutely amazing underwater photos.

You'll want to have an underwater camera, preferably one that's hands free so you can grab as many great pictures as possible.

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You'll certainly want to capture a snapshot of the toothy barracudas guarding the arch. Plus don't forget the tiny gobies working at their cleaning stations removing parasites from the larger Florida fish. Then you'll also want to shoot a few pictures of the moray eels peeking out at you from beneath the lighthouse.

Sombrero Reef Map

Sombrero Reef Map
Courtesy of http://floridakeys.noaa.gov




At-A-Glance Reef Dive Description
and GPS Coordinates

Name
Sombrero Reef
Location
3 miles east of Boot Key Harbor at Marathon Florida
GPS Co-ordinates
24 37.600N 081 06.600W
Markers
10 mooring buoys
Level
Novice
Depth
15 - 60'
Visibility
Good
Reef Site Description
Uneven bottom north of the light house has sandy ravines, large coral cliffs, currents can be strong
Snorkel Site
Exceptional snorkel spot where water is shallow especially beneath the lighthouse
Marine Life
Coral including large stands of elkhorn, brain, sheet, lettuce, sea fans, sea sponges, blue tang, angelfish, sea turtles, hogfish, large numbers of yellowtail, barracuda, grunt, gobies, moray eels, grouper, conch beds in the grassy areas off the reef




This is perhaps one of the most photogenic Florida Keys snorkeling spots you'll have an opportunity to explore. However the downside is that this area can be rather hectic with all the traffic.

With it's ease of access, high visibility, and interesting array of dive features, it's understandable why it's so popular. However, don't let the traffic dissuade you from going. You would be missing out on a wonderful Florida Keys snorkeling or novice dive opportunity if you did.

When exploring Sombrero Reef don't forget your snorkeling gear or diving gear. You'll want to bring what you have or you'll need to rent from the charter company you go out with.



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Local Weather Zip Codes

Key Largo - 33037
Marathon - 33050
Key West - 33040
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