YOU SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS PAGE. IT EXISTS ONLY TO APPEASE THE SEARCH ENGINES. CLICK HERE (on this text) TO ESCAPE BACK TO THE INDEX PAGE.
| MileMarker: | 108 |
| Location: | Lat 25 08.82 Long 80 15.19 5.5 miles South of Carysfort Light, 5.5 miles SE of North Cut, 2.5 miles N of KL Dryrocks |
| Markers: | A large (36 foot) light tower, with 10 bouys: E1-E10 |
| Depth Range: | 12 to 40 feet deep |
| Skill Level req.: | beginner |
| Risks/Warnings: | SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area], no fishing or lobstering allowed |
| History | |
| Several ships have met an untimely death at Elbow Reef (or "wreck reef"). The City of Washington is the most intact, and has its own page on this website. The 241' schooner was built in 1877 and went down on July 10, 1917. It lies between bouys E9 and E10. Nearby lies the twisted remains of the Towanda, heavily broken-up. It is at bouy E7. The 752 ton steamer was built in 1863 and went down on May 28, 1866. The Civil War Wreck is an old wooden ship of unknown age. It lies just north of the tower. | |
| Dive Description | |
| Elbow Reef is one of the truly great reef dives of Pennekamp
Park. With excellent visibility, numerous site opportunities (wreck, reef,
photography), and expansive reef, this reef should be on every diver's
short list. Elbow Reef was so named because it lies further offshore than the other reefs nearby, like South Carysfort and Key Largo Dry Rocks, forming an "elbow". Visibility is nearly always excellent here, due to the further distance from land than the nearby reefs. The City of Washington wreck is an excellent snorkeling location. It is very broken up. Tame moray eels live on the wreck. The Towanda is also very broken up, and is also accessible to snorkelers. The Civil War wreck, consisting of little more than wooden beams and metal fasteners, is reputatedly a good spot for photography. There are a couple other wrecks at the reef. A steel barge called Mike's Wreck is in 18-25 feet of water between E2 and E3. A six-foot cannon from an ancient wreck lies 100 yards west of the Towanda.Barracuda frequent all 3 wrecks. Nurse shark are commonly seen near the wrecks. The surrounding reef contains large fingers of elkhorn coral, where angelfish and damselfish live in abundance. It is a classic spur and groove formation, with sand patches separating high wall-like coral ridges. The ridges are capped with elkhorn coral, star coral, convoluted brain coral, smooth brain coral, and giant star coral. Sea fans and sea rods wave in the surge. Sea turtles are reportedly seen at Elbow Reef more than elsewhere. Jacks, filefish, grunts and rays frequent the site too. Divers should be reminded that Elbow Reef is a designated SPA [Sanctuary Preservation Area] and special care should be taken not to disturb any kind of marine life. Remember you are a visitor in a home that belongs to the animals and not to you! Fishing and lobstering as well as any other collection activity is strictly prohibited. | |
| Divesite info by: Jonathan Brinkman | |
Divelog for Elbow Reef
Add your dive to the divelog below!! CLICK HERE.
| Return to info
on ALL OF THE FLORIDA KEYS (our Home Page) | ||
| Return to info on LOWER KEYS |
Return to info on MIDDLE KEYS |
Return to info on UPPER KEYS |