Pretty reef in shallow water

Near National Park Headquarters

Park Headquarters reef

Unterseeboot 2513 (U-2513) was a Type XXI U-boat of the Kriegsmarine that was operated by the United States Navy for several years after World War II.

On 2 September 1951, the Chief of Naval Operations ordered that the boat be sunk by gunfire. U-2513 was sunk west of Key West, Florida during rocket tests by the destroyer Robert A. Owens (DD-827) on 7 October 1951.

She now sits on her port side, waiting for you!

Approximately 23 miles northeast of the Dry Tortugas

U-2513 is also known as U 2513.

U-2513

Araby Maid was a 195-foot steel vessel. This masted schooner barque was built in 1868. She sank after a collision in 1903. It's a DEEP WRECK for ADVANCED DIVERS!

32 miles west of the Dry Tortugas

Araby Maid wreck



a nice spot to hide your pirate ship

Pirates Hide Out is also known as Pirates Place.

Pirates Hide Out

Western dry rocks

Popular dive site off Key West.

The reef itself consists mostly of rock fingers and gullies with sandy bottoms between cliff-like structures and extensive areas of staghorn and elkhorn coral.



SW of Key West, mooring buoys on S side of key

Sand key

Popular dive spot. Most reef formations are with long fingers of coral, sand and coral-filled canyons in between.

SW of Key West

Rock key

Popular dive site for scuba and snorkeling.

SW of Key West

Eastern dry rocks

Another shallow spur and groove reef, which is often done in conjunction with Marker 32. The site has a large variety of reef fish and is home to a nurse shark. There are large specimens of Elkhorn, Bolder, Brain and Fan coral. Christmas Tree Worms can sometimes been found growing on these.
The site is also popular for night dives, where lobsters and yellow rays can be seen.

Half hour trip by boat from Key West.

9 Foot Stake

The Cayman Salvager now lies one mile southwest of the Nine-Foot Stake. This 187-foot steel-hulled buoy tender was built in 1937 for Coast Guard usage and was later used as a cable layer and for freighting. The US Government seized this vessel because she was carrying Cuban refugees during the 1979 Mariel boatlift. After being seized, she was sitting at the dock awaiting her fate when she sank unexpectedly. In 1985, she was raised and prepared to be sunk again as an artificial reef in 300 feet of water. But while being towed out for re-sinking, she prematurely sunk in just 90 feet of water where she currently resides. She settled on her side but was kindly righted a few months later in 1985 by Hurricane Kate. 

In preparation for her scheduled sinking, the Cayman Salvage had been cleaned and stripped to create a smoother structure to foster pelagic life. Because of the removal of restricting parts, penetration is possible but is considered dangerous. It is recommended that divers who desire to pursue such a mission do so during a return dive and not on the first exploration. 

Bar jacks and schools of silversides frequent this site. Divers have reported that a 200-pound jewfish and a six-foot green moray eel call this vessel home. Note that dangerous aspects of this location are strong currents and the depth. A careful diver will find this artificial reef a great chance for exploration and a unique dive.


This site can only be reached by boat. Any Key West dive operator will take you to it. 


Cayman Salvager

A spur and groove formation of reef including Elkhorn, Fan and Brain coral. Lots of life including Barracuda, Parrotfish and possible nurse sharks. 
Was originally called Marker 1 after the original marker, but is now called Marker 32 after the current buoy.

Half hour boat journey from Key West. Site is buoyed with the number 32.

Marker 32 Reef is also known as Marker 1 Reef, Toppinos Buoy.

Park Headquarters reef

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Park Headquarters reef