HMS Looe
HMS Looe: If you are looking for top scuba diving then look no further than Looe Key Reef.
Described by scuba Key West dive centers as one of the best dive areas in the lower to middle keys you will not be disappointed with the vast variety of marine life on this reef.
Named after HMS Looe which ran aground on the reef in 1744 the reef has little remaining of the wreck which is believed to have been strewn across the reef when the ship blew up after deliberately setting fire to her.
These days little is remaining other than ballast and pieces of copper and the wreckage in the area is difficult to define and date as it appears that wreckage from other wrecks lie in the same area.
Looe Key Reef is considered to be a top scuba diving site and you will agree from the moment you enter the water. Barracuda drift with the current and the reef is alive with jacks, jewfish, parrotfish, surgeon fish, angelfish and many others.
As you dive deeper on the offshore side of the reef where the depths reach 100ft the chances are you will come face to face with jewfish, rays and sharks.
The coral formations change with the deeper waters providing excellent growing for brain corals and barrel sponges and rarer corals that abound in the area.
Interesting facts about HMS Looe
- Ran aground in 1744
- Towing the British ship Betty which had been recovered from privateers
- Deliberately blown up by Captain Ashby Utting to prevent salvage by the Spaniards
- All 274 members of her crew survived
Key West Scuba Videos
Key West has some very popular dive sites and many have been photographed. Scuba diving videos are probably the most popular method of recording dives and below is a brief video of a typical wreck dive at Key West.
This video is of Looe Key Reef and gives you a sample of what to expect when diving off the Florida coast (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)…
Terence’s Log
HMS Looe
Depth: 6-9m (20-30ft)
Visibility: 9-39m (30-130ft)
Plenty of fish
Novice
Wreck Diving
Snorkeling: Yes
Providing some top scuba diving in Key West I found Looe Key Reef a gorgeous dive with barracuda greeting us as we entered the water.
There was not much to see in terms of a wreck but this is more than made up for with lovely coral formations and colorful fish and lobsters.
We were also fortunate to see one of my cousins, a loggerhead turtle heading for the deeper waters just offshore. An amazing sight!
Key West Dive Sites:
