Coral Restoration Foundation Nursery

★★★★★ (109)

The Coral Restoration Foundation Nursery can only be visited with special permissions. Divers can take classes with the Coral Restoration Foundation and volunteer to help at the coral nursery.

The Nursery is bordered by sand and sea grass and contains numerous “trees“ made of piping that has coral fragments hanging from various points.

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
11 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
9 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
8 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
6 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
2 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock/Howard Chen

Blue Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy-Christian Zappel

Scalloped Hammerhead
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

iStock/Dimitrios Stefanidis

Sand Tiger Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
19 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
5
J
2
A
4
S
1
O
0
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
16 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
6
J
1
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
16 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
4
J
3
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
14 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
3
J
2
A
3
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
8 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
7 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
7 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
7 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
6 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
6 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
6 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
6 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
Alamy-Water Frame

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

iStock-stock_colors

Tarpon
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-FionaAyerst

Lemon Shark
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

iStock-deraugenzeuge

Snake Eel
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 190

Alamy-Water Frame

Conger Eel
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
AdobeStock-_italo

Moon Jellyfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 26

iStock-Martin Voeller

Angel Shark
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov

Squid
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-atese

Ribbon Moray Eel (Ghost Eel)
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 125

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Gurnards
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

k

Mullet
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 22

k

Cod
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Seamoth
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Heroes Dive Center

2109 A Main Street, 34698 Dunedin, FL - USA

Ocean First, LLC

51 Shoreland Drive, 33037 Key Largo, FL - USA

Conch Republic Divers

90800 Overseas Hwy, Ste 9, 33070 Tavernier, FL - USA

Dive Sites Nearby

Mares

Coffins Patch (★4.2)

Coffins Patch Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) is located approximately four miles off Key Colony Beach and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Middle Keys. Maximum depth is about 25-30 feet/ 7 -9m.
Aqualung

Morada (★4.2)

20-25 foot dive – This is a very purple reef (“morada” means purple in Spanish). From the flowing purple gorgonians to the swaying purple soft corals, this site is a customer favorite if you like a lot of color. This site is also home to Bonnethead sharks for the better part of the year.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Kylie's Reef (★4.4)

18-20′ – If coral is what you’re after, this reef is for you. This shallow patch has absolutely incredible stands of stony coral. Massive starlet coral, symmetrical brain coral, knobby brain coral, elliptical star coral. This site was named after our in-house coral doctor, Dr. Kylie Smit
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Cheeca Rocks (★4.3)

An inshore patch reef system with a variety of hard and soft corals which attract a variety of marine life. The smallest Special Protected Area (SPA) in the Florida Keys NOAA system. No touch or take of any kind.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Donut (★4.2)

High profile boulder and branching coral surrounding a sandy center - like a donut. Healthy coral reaching within a few feet of the surface makes the site suitable and enjoyable for both divers and snorkelers.
Mares

Davey Crocker Reef (★4.5)

An amazing, shallow reef dive great for snorkelers and newer divers. Davey Crocker Reef has one of the highest populations of fish life in this area. Schools of fish, nurse sharks, eels and turtles. This is a must dive.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Fire Coral Cave (★4.3)

Fire Coral Cave is a long narrow swim through located toward the southern end of the Molasses Reef Sanctuary Protected Area. It varies in depth from 15ft to 30ft.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Horseshoe Reef - Florida (★4.2)

This patchy reef site sits just north of the famous Christ of the Abyss dive site, offshore from Key Largo and is one of the most diverse dive areas in the Keys.
Mares

John Pennekamp State Park (★4.4)

This site is part of the Florida State Park system and has protected status. It’s also home to the Boy Scouts of America SeaBase camp program. With shallow, clear water, plenty of reef life, and easy access just offshore, this site is a great dive for beginners and also snorkelers.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Mike’s Wreck (Hannah M. Bell) (★4.4)

One of the many wrecks of Elbow Reef, the Hannah M. Bell was for many years known as Mike’s Wreck. The shallow side is about 18 ft deep with the deeper side being about 30 ft. Perfect for reef divers, new divers, and a relaxing dive on an iconic wreck.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Jules Undersea Lodge (★3.5)

Home to Americas only underwater hotel, this site is great for confined and open water training. There is a shallow platform at about 6 feet (depending on the tides) and the deepest point is about 25 feet. There are 3 downlines and 3 exit points. Visibility is typically around 10 feet.