Sand Key

Key West, Florida Keys, United States

The reef beneath the 1853 Sand Key Lighthouse — a sanctuary preservation area 7 miles SW of Key West. Depths run 3-22 m across spur-and-groove reef with dense elkhorn, star, and brain coral, resident goliath grouper, schools of yellowtail, and occasional nurse sharks on the sand. Typically calm conditions inside the reef, Gulf Stream currents on the outer edge. Classic half-day boat dive out of Key West.