Marquesas Keys is the Florida Keys last frontier of unspoiled wrecks, reefs and flatsThe islands were named after Marquis de Cadereita. He was commander of the 1622 Spanish Treasure Fleet that was sent to the bottom of the ocean with their treasure by a fierce hurricane. The Atocha and Santa Margarita were two of the ships in that fleet.
These islands have the only known atoll in the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a lagoon in the middle of this circular shaped island. It’s thought to have been formed by a meteor strike not a volcano. The islands are 3 ½ miles across. It’s made up of 10 mangrove islands. They have long sandy beaches on the south side. You can find protected areas to anchor your boat if you have outboards. Just be sure you have plenty of mosquito repellent. About 1000' off the south side of the entire island chain are large coral heads in 8' to 12' of water. There are ten wrecks within two miles of the shores of the islands for you to dive or fish. About six miles south is the reef line there are lots of caves crevices and huge overhangs in thirty to seventy feet of water. Keep going deeper and you’ll find some great wall and drop off diving. This is the place for the serious spearfisherman. The Marquesas Keys are a remote exceptional place. Shallow waters surround the Keys. There are vast areas of grass covered flats. These islands and the Dry Tortugas are pristine, unspoiled and last frontiers of their kind. I for one am glad they’re right here just a boat ride away in the Florida Keys. Return from Marquesas Keys to Dive Site List
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