floridakeys.noaa.gov · Official Regulations
Sanctuary-wide no-touch, no-anchor, and divers-down rules.
Dive Spot Guide•
Captain Arnos Reef
West-side Key Largo patch reef with ledges and rich reef fish.
Boat access is the norm; calm-to-moderate conditions make this a good reef run for divers and a possible snorkel add-on.
About Captain Arnos Reef
A west-side Key Largo patch reef with ledges, coral outplanting, and dense school-fish action. Boat access is the normal approach, and the site is best when wind and current stay manageable enough for a relaxed reef run. The shallow edge can also suit snorkelers while divers work the coral heads and overhangs, so it rewards slow, close-in reef scanning more than covering distance.
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Research Estimate At Captain Arnos Reef
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 15.2m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentLight current
Where Is Captain Arnos Reef?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Captain Arnos Reef Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
6m - 11m
Depth Note
Shallow offshore patch reef on the Key Largo reef line; recreational work is generally in the boat-run band rather than deep water.
Best Season
Year-round
Typical Conditions
Calm-to-moderate reef conditions with clear water and enough shallow structure for a relaxed boat run when the day cooperates.
Safety & Access At Captain Arnos Reef
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficSharp coral
Safety Notes
Keep buoyancy tight around ledges and coral heads, and stay alert to boat traffic during surface intervals and ascents.
Access Restrictions
Shore entry is not the normal approach; plan on a boat run.
Legal Notes
Part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, so no-touch and no-anchor rules apply on coral, along with divers-down flag and reef-protection etiquette.
Local Intel For Captain Arnos Reef
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Freediving
A calm-day freedive can work on the shallower patch-reef edge, but the site is mainly a boat-run reef for scuba and snorkel rather than a dedicated freedive target.
Snorkeling
The shallower patch-reef edge can work for snorkelers on calm days, but this remains an offshore boat trip rather than a beach snorkel.
Wildlife at Captain Arnos Reef
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Captain Arnos Reef
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Captain Arnos Reef
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility15.2m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
