Scuba diving in Big Pine
Big Pine is located in the Upper Florida Keys. Being
part of the keys makes it one of the most excellent diving
and snorkeling destinations. It is famous for its 7000 years
old coral formations. Big Pine dive sites
are home to
abundant sea life. Its variety of dive sites offers a great
chance to experience all kinds of diving, from shallow and
deep diving to artificial and historical wrecks.
Always dive according to your level of training.
Never enter the water without checking with
Big Pine dive
centers for safety, additional information, level required
for each dive site and without being accompanied by a
professional.
All the information provided is purely informative for our
readers and shouldn't be used as is to plan your immersion.
Average annual temperature: Between 26°C and 31°C
(77° F and 87° F).
Average Water surface temperature: Between 27° C
(80°F).
Visibility often averaging: Visibility is between 40
and 75 feet (12 to 22 meters).
Coldest time: February
Warmest time: July
Possible to dive all year round.
Big Pine is the second largest island in Florid Keys.
Big Pine's dive sites offer a great collection of fish and
coral formations. These diving spots are rich in flora and
fauna and have thousands of colorful tropical fish. Diving
in Big Pine shows you nature at its very best; and divers
gain most of their diving experience in its sties. Sites
like Looe Key, Bahia Honda State Park and Adolphus Busch
Wreck are home to abundant sea life such as barracuda,
jacks, parrotfish, and surgeonfish. Big Pine's dive sites
have some rare species of sponge and coral like barrel
sponges.
Some of Big Pine dive sites.
Looe Key Reef is the most famous reef in the area. It
can be crowded by boats visiting it. The reef is famous for
its warm water and beautiful structure formed by sponges,
coral ridges, overhangs, ledges, valleys and sand channels.
It is home to abundant sea life. Looe Key reef is at a depth
of 10-100 feet (3-30 meters).
HMS Looe is a British ship sank in 1744 on the east
of Looe Key Reef. It is at a depth of 20-30 feet (6-9
meters) and some of its remains are still on the sands of
the reef. Its anchor chain is encrusted with finger coral
growing in the area. Spiny lobsters are common in the site
also you will be able watch barracuda, jacks, yellow-headed
jewfish, parrotfish, and surgeonfish. It is a great spot for
shallow diving and snorkeling.
Content Keys Reef is at a depth of 8 to 15 feet (2 to
5 meters) deep. This small reef is best for snorkelers and
beginner divers; they are going gain new experience diving
there. Some species prefer this site on other sites such as
rounded starlet corals and stone crab.
Bahia Honda State Park is a shallow reef about 4-6
feet (1- 2 meters) deep. It is good start for beginners and
snorkelers. The Park has a variety of sea life such as soft
corals, small coral heads, tropical fish, queen conchs and
spiny lobster.
Adolphus Busch Wreck is a 210 long fighter sank in
1999 to form this beautiful reef. It is at a depth of 85-110
feet (25-33 meters). This site is an advanced dive site. The
ship is easy to dive through. Massive populations of jewfish
are represented in the area
9 Foot Stake is a 15-30 feet (4-9 meters) deep dive
site. It is a shallow dive site. The site is great for
snorkeling and under water photography. It is home to
smaller underwater creature such as Spanish hogfish,
goatfish and hermit crabs
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