Hens & Chickens Reef

    Hens & Chickens Reef (local nickname: "Poultry Point") is located just a mile & a half off Plantation Key in Islamorada.  Named for its appearance from the air, Hens & Chickens Reef can't be beat as a shallow diving & snorkeling reef.  Visibility varies because the reef is so close to shore & so shallow, but on a good day underwater visibility may exceed 50'.  Depths to the bottom are about 20'.  The largest coral heads rise to 5' below the surface.  In July 1997 Hens & Chickens Reef was 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. Already divers & snorkelers have noticed more plentiful fish of all types, as well as a reduction of fishing line wrapped on the coral. Dive boats and private boats can tie on to the white mooring balls provided to prevent anchor damage to the coral heads.   Also on Hens & Chickens Reef is a small iron shipwreck, often called "El Barco" or  "El Bargo" or "The Brick Barge" Wildlife sighted on Hens & Chickens Reef includes sea turtles,  moray eels, baracuda,  snook,  spadefish, permit, eagle rays & sting rays, bottlenose dolphin, and every type of angel fish, grunts parrotfish & other colorful reef fish. The most abundant corals are mountainous star coral, brain coral, sheet coral & all kinds of soft corals.

Click on images to enlarge