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Captain Arnos Reef

Discover an underwater paradise at this dive site located off the west side. Immerse yourself in the beauty of huge schools of rainbow, midnight, and blue parrotfish gracefully gliding through the water. Explore the ledges of this patch reef to encounter green eels and nurse sharks, adding excitement and wonder to your underwater adventure.

Prepare to be amazed by the diversity of marine life at this fish-rich site. Dive alongside nurse sharks, moray eels, and even the occasional turtle as you navigate through the depths. The vibrant underwater world also welcomes you with large schools of snappers, grunts, and huge parrotfish, creating a captivating and immersive experience.

Not only is this dive site teeming with marine life, but it is also home to a special coral outplanting and monitoring project conducted by I.CARE. As part of this important conservation effort, you can witness the resilience and growth of these fascinating corals, further enriching your dive experience.

With a visibility of 14m and a maximum depth of 11m, this dive site is accessible to both beginner and advanced divers. Whether you are just beginning your underwater exploration or seeking to expand your diving skills, this site offers an ideal environment for divers of all levels.

Situated in Windley Key, Islamorada, Monroe County, Florida, United States, this dive site showcases the captivating underwater wonders of the United States' coastal waters. Immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of this remarkable location, and embark on a memorable dive adventure that will leave you awe-inspired.

Diving Conditions Score for Captain Arnos Reef

7.8
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Captain Arnos Reef

Depth

11m

Visibility

14m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for Captain Arnos Reef

Wave Height

0.2m

Wind Speed

12.8 m/s

Water Temp

30.8°C

Visibility

23.5km

Cloud Cover

0%

Wave Period

4.05s

Air Temperature

29.5°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Captain Arnos Reef
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Captain Arnos Reef

Best time to dive: 9:00 with score 8.324768217054263/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.34m, Wind 12.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 7.901729411764705/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Captain Arnos Reef: 06:00
Sunset at Captain Arnos Reef: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Captain Arnos Reef are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
9:00

Score: 8.3/10
Waves: 0.34m (4.3s), Wind: 12.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
18:00

Score: 7.9/10
Waves: 0.24m, Wind: 8.4 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Captain Arnos Reef
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Captain Arnos Reef

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Captain Arnos Reef

Winter

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Captain Arnos Reef

January
Score: 10.0
February
Score: 10.0
December
Score: 10.0

Ideal Conditions for Captain Arnos Reef

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

22.5°C / 72.5°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Captain Arnos Reef

Captain Arnos Reef shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (22.5°C) and December the coldest (18.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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