Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary

Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary is off shore of Big Pine Key and Key Colony Beach, Florida. Looe Key is unlike the other areas of the Florida Keys because it is nothing more than mangroves and "spur" reef. In the Atlantic Ocean there is a reef system that works its way from north to south. This particular reef and sanctuary were named after the HMS Looe, which was supposed to have sunk off the reef in 1744. The HMS Looe was towing a French ship called Snow.

It was said while the HMS Looe was going across the reef in 25 feet of water it hit a shallow section causing a massive hole. It, along with the Snow, was sunk. Archeological studies of Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary have found some evidence of the ships such as the ballast stone. They have also located a few pieces of copper, concrete and sheathing.

However, what has been found is more like a 19th century wreck rather than the 18th century wreck. Visitors to Big Pine Key can join any number of dive boat operations to Looe Key Sanctuary to dive on the reef and look for wreckage.