The reef is actually a collection of six distinct patch reefs as opposed one patch as the name implies. You simply cant go wrong on the patches if you like mixed bag. Tangs, jacks, stingrays, nurse sharks, grouper, lobster, butterflyfish, and the curious moray all call coffins. Boating and angling guide to the middle keys, side a little duck key to grassy key, including marathon,key colony beach, sombrero reef, and coffins patch. Rules change frequently, always inquire locally before fishing, lobstering, or spearfishing. Boating and angling guide to the middle keys, side a pdf, 10. The reef is dotted with several types of coral, including pillar coral and brain coral.
Coffins patch key colony beach updated may 2020 top tips. Coffins patch dive site, usa diving florida keys diving. Jun 10, 2015 snorkeling the florida keys patch reefs. With lovely patch reefs everywhere, and numerous dive operators to choose from, plus plenty of great shore dives, marathon is a great place to escape from the cares of everyday life, for divers new and experienced alike. Concrete bridge spans long key bridge 5 patch reefs. The pipe is actually one of several that are the remnants of a lighthouse that marked the reef. When it comes to florida keys snorkeling and novice diving, coffins patch, a reef at marathon, is an amazing florida keys dive site. Fishing patch reefs are a good way to start out fishing in the keys,and learn the techniques of florida keys fishing. Other inshore and offshore patch reefs in the surrounding area remain open. There are six patches of reef, some with excellent snorkel depths. No matter what type of sea creatures you come in contact with, youll love alligator reef simply because of how beautiful it is. Conch reef is in the upper keys and eastern sambo is in the lower keys.
The middle keys monroe county gps coordinates reefs. Itinerary join us as we set off for reef snorkeling at coffins patch aboard helios, our 45 power catamaran. The shallow patch reefs of the coffins patch sanctuary preservation area spa, located approximately four nautical miles off key colony beach, offer some of the best snorkeling in the middle keys. Coffins patch the middle keys the florida keys robins. First time snorkeling sombrero reef off marathon key. You may also want to check out these florida keys dive maps which will give you an idea of different diving spots you may want to explore. Lee lucas, left, and friend joey boucher caught this mutton snapper and others on light tackle at a patch reef off marathon. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys can be a lot of fun in the winter and can yield some tasty fish. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda.
If you havent dived these reefs in a few years youll be amazed at not only the sheer quantity of fish, but also how friendly theyve become now that they are no. With two locations to serve you, captain hooks takes daily trips the marathon reefs and looe key reef located in the middle and lower keys. This is a healthy reef with pillar, star and convoluted brain coral which totally cover the shallow patch reef. The sanctuary preservation areas throughout the florida keys offer some of the best marine life in this hemisphere, and off marathon both coffins patch and sombrero reef are spas. The shallow patch reefs of the coffins patch sanctuary preservation area spa, located approximately four nautical miles off key colony beach, offer some of. Although coffins patch is fairly close to shore, it has the characteristics of an offshore patch reef system.
Our ultimate printable guide to coffins patch snorkeling in the florida keys have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Patch reefs at east washerwoman shoal and elsewhere in the middle of hawk channel off the middle and lower keys formed on its landward edge lidz et al. These are the best spots to snorkel in the florida keys. The sanctuary preservation area spa is approximately 4nm 7km southeast of key colony beach. Coffins patch, east bahia honda channel, fl5 60s 142 ft 12m racon, florida bay, hawk channel, horseshoe bank, knight key channel, monkey bank, moser channel chart. Both the fish and coral grow larger here because the reef is in a protected area. Most of the patch reefs are 5 to 15 feet deep and 100 feet or less in size, and most are accessable with a small boat. This is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a great day on the atlantic waters just off of marathon key, florida. Areas, coffins patch and sombrero key, as well as many other outstanding coral reef. Middle keys reefs and shipwrecks florida go fishing.
The tennessee reef is a offlimits research area 4 nautical miles south of long key with a deep. An old spanish shipwreck is still luring visitors to its underwater grave. Some nice mangsyellowtail for dinner and stuff to keep the ladies busy catching. Indistinguishable from the rest of hawk channel in aerial photos, this trough is the second of two on the inner shelf that constitute new coral reef nuclei in the florida reef record. Group snorkeling at coffins patch reef 2020 jet skis key west. The middle keys gps numbers include florida bay on the bay side and the atlantic ocean out to the straights of florida including long key to marathon between longitude 80 45 and 81 09. Mm3 marathon hump west hump spearfishing ok in this area. Fishing the many different patch reefs that average 20 feet or so in depth is fantastic. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas. Reef snorkeling trips in marathon and key colony beach. Be sure to keep your eyes open for turtles and dolphins on the way. Coffins patch is a great reef close to the marinas and no more then 30 feet deep, you can see small nurse sharks, barracuda, rays even eels. Bringing a few of my semi experienced fishing buddies, along with all our wivesgirlfriends. For a detailed dive site description and printable snorkel dive map, just select a marathon key snorkeling dive below.
Also, 2 of the 4 special use areas are located within the middle keys. East washerwoman shoal and other patch reefs in hawk channel. Snorkeling coffins patch from marathon is worth doing. It was a fun, not too large area for us to explore. Coffins patch off key colony beach florida is shallow with lots of marine life. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to. Grecian rocks, french reef, molasses reef, conch reef, and alligator reef are also shown. A lively reef, some coral and plenty of fish around courtesy of the boat crew feeding them. Jul 20, 2015 coffins patch reef florida keys duration. The overall area is composed of 6 different reefs, each sporting a predominantly different coral. The stake is roughly 400 feet by 75 feet oval shaped patch reef is the best known and most frequented of the coffins patch group. Group snorkeling at coffins patch reef 2020 jet skis.
It got its name from a large piece of iron pipe that juts several feet out of the water at an angle from the reef. The reef includes rare pillar coral and other coral species unique to the keys. Florida keys snorkeling best snorkeling in the keys. Popular shipwrecks, reefs, and wrecks of the florida keys. Lets take a few moments to look at just a handful of marathons best dive sites. Coffins patch is a shallow coral reef patch reef located within the florida keys national marine sanctuary. Coffins patch is made up of about 6 different reefs, all unique, and all different. This makes a great dive after the thunderbolt, especially on a day with strong currents. Often times, when we get cold fronts here it will blow very hard from the north for days at a time. Fishing the patch reefs and inshore rock piles in the lower florida keys. Top snorkeling spots to experience in the florida keys.
Closest to the keys is a sand ridge called white bank, covered by large beds of sea grass, with patch reefs scattered across it. Scuba diving florida keys, dive marathons coral reefs. Patch reef fishing 2 miles offshore from marathon key, fl. Seen are angel fish, butterfly fish, tangs and other tropical fish. Coffins patch, located just off marathon and duck key is another favored location for marathon snorkeling trips. Patch reefs are small coral reef formations inside of the main barrier reef. Informations on the diving spot of coffins patch marathon key. May 03, 2019 the best marathon key snorkeling based on popularity are considered to be sombrero beach, sombrero reef, bahia honda state park, newfound harbor reefs, and coffins patch. Just looking for some atlantic patch reef fishing tips that would be easy to have the ladies enjoy. The florida reef consists of two ridges separated from the florida keys by the hawk channel. Coffins patch is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in marathon, fl 33050. Coffins patch key colony beach 2020 all you need to know. This reef lies within a sanctuary preservation area spa. Coffins patch key colony beach all you need to know.
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