Favorite dive sites (in the Florida Keys, naturally!) Molasses Reef - 5 miles south of the south cut off Key Largo at the southern end of the sanctuary. It is marked by a 45-foot steel light tower. The best diving is on the SE side of the tower. Anchor Buoys M1-12 are for diving, or snorkeling; M13-20 are shallow snorkeling areas; M21-23 are deeper diving areas. Alligator Reef - 6 miles S-SW of Windley Key, marked by a 136 ft. tower. One of the largest in the upper keys, this reef was named after a U.S. warship sunk in 1825, the USS Alligator. With its deep coral crevises and ravines, this is a popular area for underwater exploration. Here you can find numerous tropical fish, shells, and all types of coral, both hard and soft. The broken remains of the warship can be found a few hundred feet off the ocean side of the tower. Depths from 8 to 40 feet. French Reef - About 4 1/2 miles S-SE of south cut off Key Largo, or about 1 mile NE of steel tower on Molasses Reef. The area is marked by a black piling. Buoys F1-10. Eagle Wreck - 4 miles southeast of Islamorada. This is my favorite wreck dive! The Eagle is a freighter 287 feet long, sunk in 110 feet of water on December 19, 1985 as an artificial reef. Sea life abounds in and around this wreck. Large schools of barracuda hang out here, and I've seen huge, 6 foot tarpon taking refuge near the ship as well. No spearfishing is allowed. The bow of the Eagle points north, and she rests on her starboard side. The ship's structure rises over 40 feet off the ocean bed and it takes only a 65 foot dive to reach it. Light streams inside two large cargo holds, through portholes and the large holes where the hull was blown open during the sinking. Large schools of smaller fish are found inside the wreck. Duane and Bibb CGC - Two coast guard cutters 1/2 mile apart. The Duane lies about 1 mile south of the Mollasses light tower. The Bibb is 1/2 mile north of the Duane. They were sunk November 27, 1987 to become artificial reefs. These are both DEEP dives, not recommended for those not having deep wreck diving experience! To keep the huge hulls of these 327 foot long cutters from being a hazard to navigation, they sit in about 120 to 130 feet of water. The Duane rests upright with a slight starboard list. She faces southwest. Her deck is 90 feet deep with a crow's nest extending to within 50 feet of the water surface. The Bibb is deeper and lying on her starboard side with her bow facing north. It requires a 95 foot dive to reach her port gunnel railing. Although visibility can exceed 100 feet, currents can create serious problems. These ships are further out to sea than the reefs, and the Gulf Stream has a greater influence here. Please take this into consideration when planning a dive. Generally the current will be of little concern, but on some days the water can rip with such force that safe diving may not be possible. *Always* descend on the anchor or mooring line and explore against the flow. Don't expect to see the whole ship in one dive. I much pefer the Duane to the Bibb, because of it being upright and closer to the surface with more to explore. The hulls are closed off for safety.