Diving

There are a variety of diving opportunities at the park. The most popular is the Windjammer shipwreck site. Located 20 feet below surface off Loggerhead Key, divers can explore the ruins of a sailing vessel that wrecked in 1901. Laminated maps are available at the Visitor Center and serve as a self-guided tour. Also off Loggerhead Key is Little Africa, a coral formation in the shape of the continent. Texas Rock is north of Garden Key and consists of a huge coral mound that begins 55-60 feet below the surface and rises to a depth of 35 feet. This reef is a treasure trove of marine life. Rare black coral can also be found here. For a special treat, try diving along Garden Key's Moat Wall at night! If you're new to night diving you'll want to dive the area during daytime first to get your bearings. You must also remember your dive light. Enter via the beach on the west side of the fort. You'll see nocturnal creatures like octopus and lobsters. Pulaski Shoals Area is marked by a navigational light tower and consists of shallow coral heads. Divers can find scattered remains of various shipwrecks in this area. Adventure seekers can swim beyond the boundary buoys in 75-80 feet of water where blacktip, hammerhead, bull and nurse sharks are often found. Please note that due to strong currents, this dive is not for the novice. Long Reef Key, located just south of Long Key, starts at 35 feet and extends to 65 feet below the surface. This dive features big star and brain coral heads.