Crocker Reef

Crocker Reef

Crocker Reef (Buoy 12) is located about 4 miles southeast of Snake Creek in Islamorada. This reef is primarily an intermediate to deep spur & groove system typical of the outer reef along most of the Florida Keys. Not far from the navigation buoy pictured above is a mooring ball known as the Dropoff or Deep Ball where the site starts at 45' to 50' and slopes to about 85' before it plateaus into sand. Nearby is the Ski Slope, a wide sandy ravine. Further to the southwest is the Shallow Ball also known as Crocker 35 and Crocker Orbit or Coral Fingers. This area is similar , but starts at about 35' and slopes more gradually and for a longer distance before getting deep.

The Crocker Reef area is far enough out that it usually has good visibility, blue water and lots of large fish & sponges. Current is not often a problem, and when there is a current, drift dives along Crocker Reef are always an enjoyable experience. On most parts of Crocker Reef the grooves can be followed from northwest (shallow) to southeast (deep) making natural navigation easy.

Other areas nearby with local names are The Cage (where a shark cage once was), 3 Amigos (Three large mounds near coral fingers), Pillar Coral Ridge, which features a wrecked small boat, and The Telephone - a long patch reef with a telephone-shaped sand hole. Not far to the northeast is Davy Crocker or Pleasure, located about halfway between Davis Reef & Crocker Reef.