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Looe Key Reef
 Latitude =24.55; Longitude =-81.40, Summerland Key, FL 33042
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Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m
Average Viz: 131-140ft/40-43m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.00 by 30 divers
Spring: 81-85°F/27-29°C
Summer: 81-85°F/27-29°C
Fall: 76-80°F/24-27°C
Winter: 76-80°F/24-27°C
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Looe Key Reef is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located at Latitude =24.55; Longitude =-81.40, Summerland Key, FL 33042. This dive site has an average rating of 4.00 out of 5 from 30 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 26-30ft/8-9m. The average visibility is 131-140ft/40-43m.
Large reef with plenty to see. Numerous mooring balls. Finger structure that is very easy to navigate. Perfect for beginning divers. Depths range from as shallow as six feet to almost thirty feet.
Looe Key is a
coral reef located within the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the south of
Big Pine Key. This reef is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Part of Looe Key is designated as "Research Only," an area which protects some of the patch reefs landward of the main reef.
The reef is named after the
HMS Looe, which ran into the reef and sank in 1744.
In August 1994, the
R/V Columbus Iselin, a research vessel owned by the
University of Miami, ran aground on Looe Key and damaged approximately 164 m2 of living coral and a larger area of reef framework. In 1997, the University paid $3.76 million in natural resource damage claims to
NOAA. In 1999, a restoration project involving placement of limestone boulders, pouring of concrete, and reintroduction of benthic species was undertaken by NOAA and its subcontractors.
[1] http://southernmostdiving.com/images/SuperStock_4070-9251.jpg Approximate coordinates:
24°32′51″N081°24′24″W