Alligator Reef is a perfect shallow low current and high visibility dive area famous for snorkellers and divers.

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Just offshore Upper Matecumbe Key sits a very large reef structure named Alligator Reef. A 136 foot tall lighthouse was built in 1873 to protect more wrecks from striking this almost invisible reef. Its name is coming from the USS Alligator, which ran aground here in 1822 and is still a very popular dive site these days. However, most dive boats visit the area a few hundred yards south of the lighthouse at the edge with the Atlantic Ocean often providing for high nutritient area's, which in its turn attracts more marine life.

There is a small SPA (Sanctuary Preservation Area) to protect its coral growth and fish life. It is shallow, has great visibilities, almost no currents; all you would like to have for some perfect relaxed diving. Aggressive marine life such as angelfish and damselfish are quite common here, so be careful pointing your fingers at them. But also snappers, butterfly fish, schoolmasters and grunts will be seen in large numbers at this site perfect for divers and snorkellers alike.

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