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Aerial Photos of Reef
| MileMarker: | 103 |
| Location: | Lat 25 02.06 Long 80 21.00 4 1/2 miles S-SE of South Cut, 1 mile NE of Molasses Reef tower |
| Markers: | Black Piling and Mooring Buoys F1 - F17 |
| Depth Range: | 3 to 100 feet deep |
| Skill Level req.: | beginner |
| Risks/Warnings: | SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area], no fishing or lobstering allowed |
| History | |
| n/a | |
| Dive Description | |
| French Reef is located just northeast of Molasses Reef and
marked by a black piling and 17 mooring buoys designated with the letter
"F". This dive site is famous for its impressive limestone cliffs and a
variety of interesting tunnels, caves, and crevices. Cooper sweepers and moray
eels are not uncommon around and in these caves. This is the one reef
where the diver gets the impression of swimming through a labyrinth of coral walls. The shallow areas of the reef are
covered by beautiful golden brown elkhorn
coral, which reach up to the water's surface. At 30 to 40 feet (9 to
12 meters) old mounds and boulders of brain
coral and star coral become more abundant
and yellowtails, grunts, parrotfish, jacks, porkfish, and damselfish are virtually everywhere. Even larger
solitary fish such as snook and permit are often encountered on this
reef. There are four caves at French reef that were named for their unique appearance. All of these caves lie at depths ranging between 25 to 35 feet (7 to 11 meters). The "Hourglass Cave" is located about 50 feet inshore from mooring buoy F1. The name will become apparent to anyone who actually sees the cave. Groupers are often seen around this cave. About 50 feet from F3 lies the so-called "Christmas Tree Cave" which is 4 feet (1.2 meters) high and thus an easy swim-through. Its name is derived from the hundreds of colorful Christmas tree worms that cover this 20-foot tunnel. Moray eels as well as grouper love to hang out in this cave. F5 marks a round sandbank that is bordered by coral ridges and F6 marks yet another swim-through. Just inshore from F7 is a coral-covered ledge that not only is a beautiful site but also is a good landmark to find an old anchor that lies about 100 feet northwest of the ledge and is overgrown by corals and bryozoan. The "White Sand Bottom Cave" is located in the center of French Reef. It is the largest of all French Reef caves. "Five Caves" is a series of narrower caves at the south end of the reef. Divers should be warned that French Reef has been designated an SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area] and fishing as well as lobstering is strictly prohibited. | |
| Divesite info by: Sebastian Engels | |
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