Molasses Reef

Molasses Reef is a prime dive and snorkel reef off the Florida Keys. Technically, it is located off of Key Colony Beach; however, most dive boats from Key Largo to Islamorada will head to Molasses Reef. It is an upper key reef. The average depth is 15 feet, but there are spots at 40 feet. Any open water diver can explore this reef with ease. It is also a chosen spot for the dive centers open water qualifying dives. As a coral reef with shallow locations it is a perfect snorkeling reef for seeing the reef and under water inhabitants.

Depending on where the boat moors, as there are a couple of buoys, one can swim to the slight 40 foot drop off or towards a nearby wreck. Molasses Reef is characterized as having seaward sand chutes, hard and soft corals, sponges, sea anemones, and boulder corals.

For sea life one should expect butterfly fish, lobster, angel fish, sea turtles, jacks, barracuda, moray eels, crabs, star fish, rays, and the occasional nurse shark. Molasses Reef is part of the protected waters, meaning Florida residents work very hard to preserve the reef for further generations and environmental balance.