Islamorada, Florida, United States

Davis Reef

Davis Reef is a shallow patch reef on the inner reef tract off Islamorada, only about three nautical miles from the marina. The site sits in 5 to 9 metres on a sand and rubble floor and is built around two long ledges that run roughly east-west, undercut in places to form small overhangs sheltering green moray eels and Caribbean spiny lobster. A small bronze Buddha statue placed by local divers sits on the sand near the main mooring buoy and is the site's signature photo subject. Resident species include schools of grunts and porkfish, queen angelfish, midnight parrotfish, hogfish, the occasional nurse shark resting under the ledges, and southern stingrays gliding on the sand. The shallow profile, gentle currents and easy navigation make Davis Reef a favourite for refresher and scuba review dives, as well as for snorkellers being towed off the dive boat. It lies inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; mooring buoys only.