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Rocky Top

Located just off the shore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys, this vibrant patch reef is a divers' paradise. Teeming with thousands of fish, coral, and magnificent marine creatures including sea turtles, sharks, and rays, this dive site offers a breathtaking underwater experience. With a shallow top reef at about 15 feet and a sandy bottom ranging between 20 and 25 feet, this site is also suitable for snorkelers. Adjacent to a mooring ball, it provides convenient access for divers of all levels.

One of the standout features of this dive site is the robust population of marine life. Resident green turtles gracefully roam these waters, accompanied by large schools of tomtates and small mouth grunts. This site also boasts one of the healthiest coral ecosystems in the Upper Keys, making it a true underwater gem.

Our dedicated crew holds a special connection to this site, as it serves as a home for a Green Sea Turtle named Rocky. Thanks to the assistance of the Key Dive crew, Rocky was rescued and rehabilitated at the Marathon Turtle Hospital before being released back into the ocean. Now, divers at this site frequently encounter Rocky in his natural habitat. Moreover, this dive site is a hub for coral outplanting and monitoring, spearheaded by the project known as I.CARE.

With a visibility of 14 meters and a maximum depth of 8 meters, divers at this site enjoy clear waters and ample room for exploration. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced diver, this dive site offers something truly extraordinary. Situated in the United States, specifically Windley Key, Islamorada, Monroe County, Florida, it is easily accessible to divers from all around.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of this dive site, where you can witness a marine kingdom filled with vibrant corals, schools of tomtate and small mouth grunts, and the enchanting presence of Rocky the Green Sea Turtle. Prepare for an underwater adventure like no other.

Diving Conditions Score for Rocky Top

7.2
Good

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

Dive Site Overview for Rocky Top

Depth

8m

Visibility

14m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for Rocky Top

Wave Height

0.4m

Wind Speed

23 m/s

Water Temp

30.1°C

Visibility

18.3km

Cloud Cover

14%

Wave Period

3.6s

Air Temperature

29.4°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Rocky Top
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Rocky Top

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.764390243902439/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.6m, Wind 15.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 7.316168627450979/10.

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

Sunrise at Rocky Top: 06:00
Sunset at Rocky Top: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Rocky Top 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
17:00

Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.6m (4.1s), Wind: 15.5 m/s

🌙
Best Night
20:00

Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 0.56m, Wind: 16.3 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Rocky Top
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Rocky Top

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 Rocky Top

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.7/10

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

Best Months for Rocky Top

February
Score: 8.8
November
Score: 8.7
December
Score: 8.7

Ideal Conditions for Rocky Top

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

27.6°C / 81.7°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.5m / 37.7ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

2.2m / 7.2ft

November

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Rocky Top

Rocky Top shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.3°C) and January the coldest (17.6°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in November with average wave heights of 2.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in November 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). February is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during November to January, 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 19, 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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