About Who's Been Here Photos Dive Log Revisions Sombrero Reef Lighthouse Marathon, FL More Info Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m Average Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See Rating: 4.21 by 19 divers Spring: 71-75°F/22-24°C Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C Fall: 71-75°F/22-24°C Winter: 71-75°F/22-24°C View All 19 Members Udiya8 6/20/2020 hannahmsc: Avg Viz: 5-10ft/2-3m. Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C. 12/22/2015 scallahan: Avg Viz: 5-10ft/2-3m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 12/22/2015 Danola: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water Temp: Over 85°F/29°C. 9/20/2013 priest: Avg Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 5/10/2013 jsausley: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. 6/09/2004 jsausley: Avg Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m. Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. 6/08/2004 jsausley: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. 7/11/2002 2/12/2013 9:05 AM LatitudeAdjustment 7/15/2011 9:00 PM

Sombrero Reef Lighthouse is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Marathon, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 4.21 out of 5 from 19 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 26-30ft/8-9m. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m. This dive site provides bathrooms and airfills.

Latitude: 24.62794
Longitude: -81.11094

Prior to the Civil War, the 142 foot Sombrero Key Lighthouse was constructed 8 miles offshore of Key Colony Beach. The innovative screw-pile lighthouse is still fully functional and in service. A gathering of 11 mooring buoys are located on the ocean side (south side) of the light. With a depth range of 5-35 feet, this spot is great for divers of all levels and snorklers too.

Sombrero Reef is one of the largest and surely the most magnificent coral reefs in the Middle Keys, home to some of the best spur and groove reef formations in all the Keys. The amount of coral is breath-taking. As soon as you descend, gorgonians, brain, finger and lettuce corals can be seen. Schools of colorful tropicals, southern stingrays and nurse sharks make their home on this reef. Large barracuda hang out by the lighthouse structure. The coral limestone has an "Arch" which is large enough to swim through.

The reef is a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) and strictly regulated. Fishing as well as lobstering are strictly prohibited. Divers are reminded to look but not touch so that this spectacular reef will be preserved.

Lighthouse history http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=701

Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sombrero_Key_Light

More reef info http://thefloridakeys.com/dive/divesites/sombrero.htm

Comments

Udiya8 - 6/22/2020 9:02 AM I went scuba diving here on 6/20/2020. Beautiful Reef. Get there early! Many Dive Centers use this reef to certify groups. Tons of life!

hannahmsc - 1/02/2016 3:13 PM I went scuba diving here on 12/22/2015. Average viz: 5-10ft/2-3m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.

jsausley - 5/27/2015 11:04 AM I went scuba diving here on 6/9/2004. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.

jsausley - 5/27/2015 11:00 AM I went scuba diving here on 6/8/2004. Average viz: 51-60ft/16-18m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.

jsausley - 5/27/2015 10:59 AM I went scuba diving here on 7/11/2002. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.

CGR - 7/31/2014 6:24 PM Rating Added: 4 Another great Marathon dive. Witnessed some great feeding tactics on a baitball with moral eels on the bottom, black grouper in the middle and yellow tail snapper on the top.

Danola - 9/26/2013 4:29 PM I went scuba diving here on 9/20/2013. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: Over 85°F/29°C. 3 to 4 foot seas and still great visibility.

priest - 5/15/2013 8:11 PM I went scuba diving here on 5/10/2013. Average viz: 51-60ft/16-18m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.

ponomo1 - 8/26/2012 12:11 PM Rating Added: 4 I really enjoyed my visits to the different reef systems scattered throughout the keys. Sombrero reef was on of many great locations to visit.

Rupa - 1/02/2012 1:50 PM Rating Added: 3 Need to move this to correct location - the coords are wrong

Ed - 12/24/2011 3:10 PM Rating Added: 4 Easy diving with plenty to see. I had a turtle befriend me and swim along side me for the whole dive.