Sombrero Reef

The Florida Keys are the only location in the lower 48 that offers coral reefs. Sombrero Reef near Key Colony Beach, Florida is a dive of 20 to 35 feet with coral, snorkeling, mooring buoys, and a marine preservation area.

Sombrero Reef is named after Sombrero Key Lighthouse, which is eight miles offshore of Key Colony Beach. The light house was built prior to the Civil War and stands at 142 feet. The 11 mooring buoys offer plenty of space for dive boats to anchor for exploring the coral reef. The buoys are on the south site of the light house or the ocean side.

Sombrero Reef is one of the largest in the keys and most particularly to the Middle Keys. It is a spur and groove reef like all reefs in the Keys. Gorgonians, brain, lettuce, and finger corals are all part of the reef. Tropical fish, stingrays, nurse sharks, and barracuda inhabit the coral. There is a large limestone coral arch that one can swim through.

As part of a preservation area anchors are not allowed, which is why there are mooring buoys. Fishing and lobster catching are not permitted on the reef.