Key West Snorkel and Scuba Dive

Sambo Reef

Located just 4 miles south of Boca Chica Key, The Sambos, Eastern, Middle and Western are 3 sets of coral covered reefs separated by channels of white sand.

These reefs are well known for the variety of marine life and are popular with scuba divers from Key West. Snorkel tours are also very popular as this range of reefs attracts grunts, parrotfish, trumpet fish, angelfish and many more, easily observed in the clear and relatively shallow waters.

With a mass of corals such as elkhorn, staghorn and brain coral, this is a fabulous area to explore and observe fascinating marine life, so when you are in Key West snorkel or scuba dive this fabulous coral reef.

The reefs are also a popular destination for lobster catching due to their numbers. To provide an ecological balance in the area a Reserve Area has been identified between Boca Chica and Western Sambo to preserve the number of lobsters by declaring it a no catch zone.

Terence's Notes

Sand Key
Depth: 3-22m (10-72ft)
Visibility: 9-39m (30-130ft)
Plenty of fish
Novice
Reef Diving
Snorkeling: Yes

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 snorkel trip off key West

This video is on Sambo Reef and gives you a sample of what to expect when snorkeling off the Florida coast (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)...

terence the turtle

Terence's Log

I always enjoy scuba diving in Key West. Snorkel or dive The Sambos, one place I would not miss is Western Sambo.

I could not believe the sight of vast areas covered with brain coral. This was a spectacular sight together with the large variety of marine life that thrive amongst the coral especially the numerous lobsters I saw on my dive.