The Haystacks
Haystacks is an incredible dive site located on the Western Sambo reef, making it ideal for divers of all skill levels and snorkelers alike. Situated in Monroe County, Florida, United States, this shallow boat dive offers a captivating underwater experience. With its crystal clear waters boasting a visibility of 10m, divers will have the opportunity to encounter a wide variety of marine life native to the Caribbean region.
During your dive at Haystacks, you can expect to come face-to-face with fascinating creatures such as nurse and reef sharks, as well as the chance to spot magnificent eagle rays, graceful turtles, and elegant stingrays. The diverse marine ecosystem here is teeming with an abundance of fish species including snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrot fish, and grouper.
Whether you are a beginner diver or an experienced enthusiast, Haystacks offers a memorable and immersive underwater adventure. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant colors and stunning beauty of this United States dive site.
During your dive at Haystacks, you can expect to come face-to-face with fascinating creatures such as nurse and reef sharks, as well as the chance to spot magnificent eagle rays, graceful turtles, and elegant stingrays. The diverse marine ecosystem here is teeming with an abundance of fish species including snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrot fish, and grouper.
Whether you are a beginner diver or an experienced enthusiast, Haystacks offers a memorable and immersive underwater adventure. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant colors and stunning beauty of this United States dive site.
Diving Conditions Score for The Haystacks
6.9
Above AverageDecent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for The Haystacks
Depth
10m
Visibility
10m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for The Haystacks
Wave Height
0.4m
Wind Speed
19.2 m/s
Water Temp
31.3°C
Visibility
21.8km
Cloud Cover
0%
Wave Period
4.35s
Air Temperature
28.8°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for The Haystacks
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for The Haystacks
Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 7.839906060606061/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.4m, Wind 18.7 m/s.Best night dive time: 23:00 with score 7.669859493670886/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at The Haystacks: 06:00
Sunset at The Haystacks: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at The Haystacks 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
6:00Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.4m (4.4s), Wind: 18.7 m/s
Best Night
23:00Score: 7.7/10
Waves: 0.28m, Wind: 6.1 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for The HaystacksAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at The Haystacks
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 The Haystacks
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.8/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for The Haystacks
February
Score: 8.8
December
Score: 8.8
January
Score: 8.7
Ideal Conditions for The Haystacks
Water Temp
27.5°C / 81.5°F
June
Visibility
11.6m / 38.1ft
October
Wave Height
2.4m / 7.9ft
September
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for The Haystacks
The Haystacks shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.4°C) and January the coldest (18.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in September with average wave heights of 2.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in September 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 0.1mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during September to November, 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.
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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