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Davis Reef
Davis Reef (Marker 14) is located four miles directly offshore of Plantation Key in Islamorada. A scuba diving or snorkeling trip to the Florida Keys is not complete without a trip to Davis Reef! Many divers have done their first scuba certification dives on the shallow ledge portion known as Davis Ledge, with depths from about 18' to 25'. Davis Ledge is also one of the favorite spots for snorkeling and night dives in the Upper Keys. The long well defined ledge on Davis Ledge is well suited for carefree diving since the natural linear features make it easy to navivgate. The area that encompasses Davis Ledge is designated as a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Fishing, collecting & lobstering have been prohibited in the area bounded by four yellow balls since July 1997. The ledge itself has 4 white mooring balls that boats can tie to. Davis Ledge has all the colorful reef fish the Florida Keys are known for, plus a few not often seen elsewhere in the Keys. A large school of baracuda-like fish called Southern Sennets is often found here, as well as Spotted Eagle Rays and a good variety of eels. One spot, the Eel Hole" is marked by a small Buddha statue . Local lore is that if you rub Buddha's head you get smart & if you rub his belly you (or your wife) get pregnant. Divers are advised not to rub both because "you can't be smart & get pregnant!"
The Original Buddha Statue was reported missing right before Labor Day Weekend 2000. A "Happy God" (usually found under a big brain coral) and a new Buddha Statue have taken its place. The general consensus is that the thief is due for some real bad luck; it has to be bad karma to steal Buddha!
There is a deep side to Davis Reef as well, outside of the SPA. The Davis Dropoff spur & groove system is a great drift or anchor dive site, with depths ranging from 50' to 100' plus. Large & abundant lobsters are found here as well as colorful tropical fish, large eels, sea turtles, eagle rays & nurse sharks, deep ravines, swim-throughs, and generally superior visibility. Many experienced divers consider Davis dropoff to be the best intermediate to deep reef area in the Upper Keys. Named parts of Davis Reef Deep include 12 Fathom Mound, and The Cave. Fishing is good as well. GPS coordinates are: Lat. N24-54.977, Lon. W080-30.019 (Central 50' depth area)
Click on photos to enlarge
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