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| MileMarker: | 116 |
| Location: | North Carysfort: Lat 25 13.80 Long 80 12.74 South Carysfort: Lat 25 13.00 Long 80 13.06 |
| Markers: | 100-foot steel lighthouse tower; Mooring Buoys C1 - C11 |
| Depth Range: | 3 to 70 feet deep |
| Skill Level req.: | beginner to intermediate |
| Risks/Warnings: | SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area], no fishing or lobstering allowed |
| History | |
| Carysfort Reef is named after the British Ship, H.M.S. Carysford, which grounded here in 1770. Almost 8 decades later, this site was chosen as the building ground for the first lighthouse on exposed reef in the Florida Keys. In 1852, after 4 years of construction, the light of Carysfort Lighthouse was ignited. |
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| Dive Description | |
| Carysfort Reef is located within the northern boundary of the National Marine Sanctuary. It is marked by a 100-foot lighthouse tower and 11 mooring buoys, which are designated with the letter "C". C7 through C11 are located on the shore side of the tower and mark a shallow coral reef, perfect for snorkeling. The elkhorn reef crest is the shallowest area of the reef and is often exposed during low tide. C1 through C6 mark the seaward side of this elkhorn garden. As the reef descends down to 40 feet (12 meters) a community of soft corals and a variety of sponges become more abundant. Staghorn coral also become more abundant at this depth and mark a steep drop to 65 feet (20 meters). This drop is known as "Carysfort Wall" and is predominantly covered by staghorn and lettuce coral and decorated by magnificent heads of brain coral. At the foot of this wall lies a wide channel which is covered with fine sand. This sandy channel separates this main reef from a second reef that rises up to 35 feet (11 meters) below the water surface. |
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| Divesite info by: Sebastian Engels | |
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