Molasses Reef is one of the most popular dive and snorkel sites in the Key Largo Marine
Sanctuary. And with good reason. This beautiful reef usually has very good visibility and
the marine life is mostly undisturbed and abundant. The reef is marked by a 45 foot tall
steel light tower and has 33 mooring buoys marked M1-M33. All except for 21-23 are
shallow dives and snorkeling areas. 21-23 are a bit deeper for diving only. This site was
named after a barge carrying a load of molasses barrels grounded here many years ago.
This reef is a well-defined spur and groove system that stretches out from very shallow
waters to about 40 feet. The buoys closest to the tower are the very shallow dive sites and
snorkel sites. Hard as well as soft corals rise up from the sandy bottom. A large variety of
rope sponges and vase sponges cover the substrate in the shallow area and helps to give
the reef its incredible colors.
Then as the buoys extend outward, the reef gradually becomes deeper. Large barrel
sponges and tube sponges can be found at around 30 feet deep.
The South end of the reef is known as "The Aquarium". Some of the largest schools of fish
in the Florida Keys can be found in this area. Horse-eyed jacks, permit jacks, bar jacks,
yellow goatfish, small-mouth grunts, sergeant majors, angelfish, parrot fish, blue tangs,
barracuda, grouper, and very large tarpon are often seen in the area. But don't get me
wrong, these fish are all over Molasses reef!
You'll probably see a few nurse sharks, moray eels, lobsters, turtles, crabs, sting rays and
even spotted eagle rays and manta rays on this reef, too.
An eight-foot Spanish anchor lies in the shallow waters near M3. No one knows the history
of this anchor.
"The Winch Hole" is near M8. It is said that this winch belonged to the Slobodana, a 176
foot wooden schooner that ran aground on Molasses Reef in 1887. It now lies scattered
on the ocean floor. Southwest of M8 there is a coral ledge with a hole large enough to
swim through. This is called "The Hole in the Wall".
At the M11 and M12 buoys is the area where one of the worst groundings at Molasses
Reef happened when the M/V Wellwood that ran high aground on this reef. The 400-foot
(122 meters) freighter completely pulverized several very large star coral formations.
Sanctuary. And with good reason. This beautiful reef usually has very good visibility and
the marine life is mostly undisturbed and abundant. The reef is marked by a 45 foot tall
steel light tower and has 33 mooring buoys marked M1-M33. All except for 21-23 are
shallow dives and snorkeling areas. 21-23 are a bit deeper for diving only. This site was
named after a barge carrying a load of molasses barrels grounded here many years ago.
This reef is a well-defined spur and groove system that stretches out from very shallow
waters to about 40 feet. The buoys closest to the tower are the very shallow dive sites and
snorkel sites. Hard as well as soft corals rise up from the sandy bottom. A large variety of
rope sponges and vase sponges cover the substrate in the shallow area and helps to give
the reef its incredible colors.
Then as the buoys extend outward, the reef gradually becomes deeper. Large barrel
sponges and tube sponges can be found at around 30 feet deep.
The South end of the reef is known as "The Aquarium". Some of the largest schools of fish
in the Florida Keys can be found in this area. Horse-eyed jacks, permit jacks, bar jacks,
yellow goatfish, small-mouth grunts, sergeant majors, angelfish, parrot fish, blue tangs,
barracuda, grouper, and very large tarpon are often seen in the area. But don't get me
wrong, these fish are all over Molasses reef!
You'll probably see a few nurse sharks, moray eels, lobsters, turtles, crabs, sting rays and
even spotted eagle rays and manta rays on this reef, too.
An eight-foot Spanish anchor lies in the shallow waters near M3. No one knows the history
of this anchor.
"The Winch Hole" is near M8. It is said that this winch belonged to the Slobodana, a 176
foot wooden schooner that ran aground on Molasses Reef in 1887. It now lies scattered
on the ocean floor. Southwest of M8 there is a coral ledge with a hole large enough to
swim through. This is called "The Hole in the Wall".
At the M11 and M12 buoys is the area where one of the worst groundings at Molasses
Reef happened when the M/V Wellwood that ran high aground on this reef. The 400-foot
(122 meters) freighter completely pulverized several very large star coral formations.
Molasses Reef
Divers and snorkelers can choose from a
variety of Florida Keys dive sites for
scuba diving and snorkeling. We offer
wreck diving, reef diving, night diving,
beginner and advanced diving.
variety of Florida Keys dive sites for
scuba diving and snorkeling. We offer
wreck diving, reef diving, night diving,
beginner and advanced diving.
All About Florida
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Florida Keys Diving
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