key largo dive sites

[reedlog]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate forum to be posting this in, but I am curious to learn more about a couple of dive sites in key largo. I have been to Pennkamp and some other reefs in the southern keys, but am not too familiar with the reefs off key largo. We are diving on Friday at two sites, Snapper Ledge, and Pillar Coral.

I am curious if anyone has ever been to either of these sites, as I havent found much by searching this site, aside from people saying that they have dove there. What should be expected? Particularly, does anyone know how far off shore these sites are? What should be expected as far as things to see, depth, and location, are they within a sanctuary?

Thanks so much for any info!!

 

[Matteo]

a few notes from my logbook: Snapper Ledge, 4/15/2006, max depth=25FSW, 55 minute bottom time, and unfortunately I don't have any other notes on it, but I do remember it being a nice dive with a noticeable ledge and a wide variety of marine life and if I remember correctly, it is protected.....don't have anything for you on Pillar Coral....check the web-sites of some of the dive ops down there, many have detailed descriptions of the sites they regularly dive

 

[sohnje]

i just dove snapper ledge and pillar thgis past thursday. Both are excellent shallow dives (25-30 ft.) Snapper ledge had about a thousand snappers all around hence the name. The pillar coral is some of the rarest i the world. make sure you bring your camera. Photo opportunities are many. Got a great shot of a reef shark, lagerhead turtle and many reef fish. Hope you have a grea time like I just did!!!

 

[reedlog]

thanks! i'm extremely excited... any idea how far offshore the sites are, or boat ride is?

 

[sohnje]

boat ride is about 15 minutes, they are both approximtely 6 miles off shore

 

[msedivingdoc]

I rented a boat out of John Pennkamp last year. It is by far one of the best kept secrets in the keys!!! We headed out a little past 8am and returned around I think 6pm. All gas, oil and everything you need is provided. Get the optional GPS for $25 more and you can find anything. Call early tomorrow and ask how much it is... you will freak! Together with 3 dive buddies we hit the Speigal Graove and most of the shallow reef areas all day. Need fills... just jet inshore and pull up to the dock... I think we used Ocean Divers. Go back out and enjoy. I think we paid like $250 for the whole day!

About the diving... if you put in or rent from JP's, it's like a 10-15 min slow putter through the brackish marsh areas to the open ocean. Once there the reefs are like 5 - 10 min... Just make sure you know what channel markers are!!! We almost ran aground. Look online @ JP's site and look for the marina for the numbers. Hope this helps.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Molassas Reef had lots of life when I was there last May.

 

[reedlog]

what kind of boat, and how big of a boat does pennekamp rent? I looked at their website, and it says only kayaks