The Horseshoe
Discover the captivating dive site known as the "Horseshoe," situated at Mile Marker 35 in Big Pine Key, Florida, United States. This unique location was once an old quarry that provided the coral used to construct the renowned Overseas Highway. With a maximum depth of 8m and visibility reaching up to 6m, divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, can explore its wonders.
At approximately 30 ft/10m deep in the heart of the dive site, you'll encounter intriguing sights, including an ambulance and a small boat. This area becomes especially popular for divers and snorkelers seeking refuge from unfavorable sea conditions.
The Horseshoe is home to a diverse marine life, giving divers the opportunity to observe mesmerizing species such as spadefish, grouper, snapper, and grunts. Moreover, on the west side of the site, you'll find an array of stunning coral species.
Immerse yourself in the underwater beauty of the Horseshoe dive site, conveniently located near the Overseas Highway in Monroe County, Florida. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, this captivating site offers exploration and adventure for all who venture beneath the surface.
At approximately 30 ft/10m deep in the heart of the dive site, you'll encounter intriguing sights, including an ambulance and a small boat. This area becomes especially popular for divers and snorkelers seeking refuge from unfavorable sea conditions.
The Horseshoe is home to a diverse marine life, giving divers the opportunity to observe mesmerizing species such as spadefish, grouper, snapper, and grunts. Moreover, on the west side of the site, you'll find an array of stunning coral species.
Immerse yourself in the underwater beauty of the Horseshoe dive site, conveniently located near the Overseas Highway in Monroe County, Florida. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, this captivating site offers exploration and adventure for all who venture beneath the surface.
Diving Conditions Score for The Horseshoe
7.8
GoodGood diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for The Horseshoe
Depth
8m
Visibility
6m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for The Horseshoe
Wave Height
0.18m
Wind Speed
15.2 m/s
Water Temp
30.5°C
Visibility
21.8km
Cloud Cover
89%
Wave Period
3.85s
Air Temperature
28.6°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for The Horseshoe
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for The Horseshoe
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 8.640780590717299/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.2m, Wind 6.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 19:00 with score 8.678119658119657/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at The Horseshoe: 06:00
Sunset at The Horseshoe: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at The Horseshoe 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
19:00Score: 8.7/10
Waves: 0.2m (3.9s), Wind: 1.1 m/s
Safest Overall
15:00Score: 8.6/10
Waves: 0.2m (3.95s), Wind: 6.5 m/s
Best Day
15:00Score: 8.6/10
Waves: 0.2m, Wind: 6.5 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for The HorseshoeAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at The Horseshoe
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 Horseshoe
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 The Horseshoe
February
Score: 8.8
January
Score: 8.7
November
Score: 8.7
Ideal Conditions for The Horseshoe
Water Temp
26.5°C / 79.7°F
September
Visibility
11.6m / 38.1ft
October
Wave Height
2.4m / 7.9ft
November
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for The Horseshoe
The Horseshoe shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.4°C) and January the coldest (17.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in November with average wave heights of 2.4m 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 0.1mm 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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 14, 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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