Hen & Chickens Reef

Fast Facts:

Average Depth: 15 ft. / 5 m
Max Depth: 22 ft. / 7 m

Features:

Coral Reef
Mooring Buoys
Good Snorkeling
Marine Preserve

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Hen & Chickens is a group of patch reefs whose coral formations from the air appear to radiate outwards from the center like a mother hen surrounded by chickens. What you really see is a beautiful patch reef in shallow water; great for diving and snorkeling. With Brain and Star Coral mounds and Sea Fans so abundant, it’s like a forest of purple trees. This is a fantastic family dive or snorkeling site.

Hen and Chickens is easily accessible and has mooring buoys installed. Giant Christmas tree and brain corals dominate the underwater landscape. Some coral heads are over 15 feet tall. This is a prolific area of corals that almost creates a labyrinth for divers to explore. Even though it’s shallow, no divers ever regret visiting. Hen & Chickens is one of the most unique reefs in all of the Florida Keys.

Hen & Chickens is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). To protect the reefs, the wildlife, and the natural resources, special regulations are strictly enforced in these areas. Spearfishing, shell collecting, tropical fish collecting, and most fishing activities are not permitted. In addition, direct physical impact to corals is restricted. Please use the mooring buoys when visiting this area.