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Aerial Photos of Reef
| MileMarker: | 106 |
| Location: | N 25 deg 06.70 min W 80 deg 18.55 min 3/4 mile S-SW of Christ of the Abyss; |
| Markers: | Mooring Buoys G1-G12; Wooden Marker |
| Depth Range: | 3 to 35 feet deep |
| Skill Level req.: | beginner |
| Risks/Warnings: | SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area], no fishing or lobstering allowed |
| History | |
| 75 feet (23 meters) to the south of the reef lies an old Spanish cannon which was placed here by park rangers several years ago. | |
| Dive Description | |
| Grecian Rocks is a crescent-shaped patch reef located just south-southwest of Key Largo Dry Rocks and is marked by a wooden marker and 12 mooring buoys designated with the letter "G". The reef itself is half a mile long, running from north to south, and 150 yards wide. Grecian Rocks is a very interesting dive site because it is one of the most unusual reefs in the upper keys. Even though it is located well inshore its fore reef is highly developed and similar to that of most outer bank reefs in the area. Thus, divers can explore a very well-developed spur and groove system that is virtually covered by a large variety of corals. At the same time, divers can enjoy the calm conditions of inshore reefs. Several boulders of giant star coral, star coral, starlet coral, and brain coral dominate the deeper areas of Grecian Rocks. In addition, sea fans and a great variety of sponges are found everywhere you look. Stoplight parrotfish, princess parrotfish, queen parrotfish, and blue parrotfish, as well as the great barracuda, are all at home in this area. 75 feet (23 meters) to the south of the reef lies an old Spanish cannon which was placed here by park rangers several years ago. Ascending up to shallower waters, branching corals become more and more abundant until they completely dominate the reef crest. Giant golden-brown elkhorn coral completely cover the reef crest and rise up so far that you might have to suck in your belly in order to clear part of the crest. The reef crest of Grecian Rocks is actually the shallowest of all the reefs in the Upper Keys and is always exposed at low tide. The dramatic scenery of the fore reef changes completely behind the reef. A large white sand plateau that is partially overgrown by a dense mat of thick green turtle grass stretches out behind the reef. The entire plateau is only 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) and is thus ideal for snorkeling. This area is home of the queen conch, which is frequently seen crawling across the sand plateau, or within the turtle grass bed. Divers should be reminded that Grecian Rocks is a designated SPA area [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. |
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| Divesite info by: Sebastian Engels | |
Divelog for Grecian Rocks
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| Diver Name: | Mike Hollen | Diver's email: | mhollen@hotmail.com |
| Diver Hometown: | Key Largo, FL | ||
| Ave. Depth (ft.): | 20 ft. | Date of Dive: | Jun-05-1999 |
| Max. Depth (ft.): | 35 ft. | Date of log entry: | Aug-28-1999 |
| Est. Air Temp (°F): | 87°F | Ave. Visibility-ft.: | 75 ft. |
| Est. Water Temp (°F): | 84°F | Seas Condition: | Wonderful (1-2') |
| Diver comments on dive: | Saw lots of schools of small fish. The elk horn coral was amazing. First time there for me. | ||
| Diveshop used: | ..none (my own boat) | ||
