Name: Molasses Reef
Rating: 3.0

Florida

Monroe County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

You don't have to go far from the boat to see a large variety of animals of all sizes. Located in the National Marine Sanctuary, it is a protected reef, so no worries about tangles with spears or hooks; and very large game fish abound! Weekends do bring in a fair amount of divers, but there is enough to see in all directions so crowding can be avoided.

Located less than 20 minutes from the Spiegel Grove wreck.

Key Largo

Molasses Reef

Spiegel Grove sunk June 10, 2002. This is the largest ship ever sunk intentionally to be an artificial reef, and probably the most well known.

Vessel size:
 - length: 510 feet
 - type: U.S. Navy Landing Ship Dock
 - tonnage: 6,880 tons

It takes at least two dives to have a look of the wreck. The Spiegel is an excellent Nitrox dive, especially on double tank dives!

In July of 2005, Hurricane Dennis forced the former USS Spiegel Grove onto her keel, right-side-up, which was the position originally intended when she was sunk.  It is an amazing dive.  Great areas for advanced and limited penetration.  This wreck offers something for everyone multiple times.  You could dive it 10 times and not see everything. 



6 Miles off Key Largo. The Spiegel Grove wreck lies near Dixie Shoals into the Marine Sanctuary.

Spiegel Grove is also known as LSD-32.

Spiegel Grove

The USGC Bibb was built in 1937 (Coast Guard vessel), and was sunk in 1987. She is 327 feet long, 41 foot beam.



Approximately 6 nm offshore, near Molasses Reef tower. Key Largo.

The Bibb Wreck is also known as USCG The Bibb.

The Bibb Wreck

The Bib Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Florida, Keys, Upper Keys which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The Bib Wreck

The Duane sunk in 1987. She sits upright in 120 feet of water.

Vessel size:
- length: 327 feet
- beam: 41 foot

6 miles offshore, approx 1 mile south of Molasses Reef tower dive site.

The Duane Wreck is also known as USCG Duane.

The Duane Wreck

French Reef is located into the Sanctuary Preservation Area.

Bring a light to explore the 4 caves of French Reef:
- Hourglass Cave (near F1)
- Christmas Tree Cave (near F3)
- White Sand Bottom Cave (The largest cave, located at the center of the reef)
- Five Caves (small caves, south end of the reef)


1 mile NE of Molasses Reef tower. It is marked by a black piling and 17 mooring buoys with the "F" letter.

French Reef

The Benwood was a freighter, built in 1910. She was 360 feet long with a 51 foot beam. It sunk in 1942.

The wreck is located 5 nm offshore. It is marked by 4 buoys (B1 to B4).

The Benwood Wreck

Conch Reef contains a Sanctuary Preservation Area, no fishing or lobstering allowed.

3.5 Miles SW of Pickles Reef and 7 miles from Snake Creek.

Conch Reef

It is a very shallow spot marked with a buoy. There are also 3 anker buoys.
Not much to see but a great training dive.

near Grecian Rocks

Cannon Patch

John Pennekamp is a 4.666666666666667-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Florida, USA East which is accessible from shore based on 3 ratings.

John Pennekamp

In addition to being the home of Jules' Undersea Lodge, Key Largo Undersea Park is one of the major Dive Training Facilities in South Florida, providing a sheltered deep-lagoon location for all types of basic and advanced underwater instruction.



Molasses Reef

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Molasses Reef