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Molasses Reef United States — Photo: USGS | License: Public domain | Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Molasses_Reef_NC1NHAP840303117.jpg
IntermediateBoat entry

Molasses Reef

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedCurrent along the outer reef edge (stronger at the south end), heavy charter boat traffic, shallow coral heads, fire coral. Sanctuary Preservation Area2–27 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Molasses Reef at a glance

Molasses Reef is a intermediate boat dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 1.8–27.4 m (6–90 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Elkhorn coral, Green sea turtle, and Great barracuda. Recent reports put the water around 31°C (87°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 10h ago
0.2 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 31°C · seasonal avg 31°C

Site hazards: Current along the outer reef edge (stronger at the south end), heavy charter boat traffic, shallow coral heads, fire coral. Sanctuary Preservation Area

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri
Mon7:00–21:00
Tue7:00–21:00
Wed7:00–21:00
Thu7:00–21:00
Fri7:00–21:00
Sat7:00–21:00
Sun7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:22 · Sunrise 6:46 · Sunset 20:09

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.4 km from site · graded 10h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Elkhorn coral, Green sea turtle, Great barracuda
Best time: Year-round; flattest seas and 60-100 ft visibility most reliable May-September. Winter fronts can blow out the site for days.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan85%23°C0.7 m
  2. Feb88%24°C0.7 m
  3. Mar86%25°C0.8 m
  4. Apr83%26°C0.8 m
  5. May98%29°C0.6 m
  6. Jun98%30°C0.6 m
  7. Jul99%31°C0.5 m
  8. Aug96%31°C0.6 m
  9. Sep97%31°C0.5 m
  10. Oct76%28°C0.8 m
  11. Nov77%26°C0.8 m
  12. Dec71%24°C0.8 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Elkhorn coralCommonly seen
  • Green sea turtleCommonly seen
  • Great barracudaCommonly seen
  • Horse-eye jackCommonly seen
  • Queen angelfishCommonly seen
  • Goliath grouperOccasionally seen
  • Caribbean reef sharkOccasionally seen
  • Spotted eagle rayOccasionally seen
  • Southern stingrayCommonly seen
  • Stoplight parrotfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

Molasses Reef is one of the most heavily dived spur-and-groove coral reefs in the world, sitting at the seaward edge of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo. Marked by its iconic light tower, the reef offers more than 30 mooring-buoyed sites from 6-ft snorkel gardens to 90-ft outer ledges, with named features like Hole in the Wall, Winch Hole and the Aquarium. Mild current along the outer edge makes for easy drift dives, and fish life is exceptional thanks to decades of no-take protection.

boatdriftreef

Current along the outer reef edge (stronger at the south end), heavy charter boat traffic, shallow coral heads, fire coral. Sanctuary Preservation Area — no fishing, no touching or standing on coral, mooring buoy use required.

Reviews

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