Molasses Reef
Molasses Reef
4.5
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Two ships deliberately sunk in 1987 to provide artificial reefs for experienced divers.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
816 reviews
Excellent
562
Very good
188
Average
50
Poor
9
Terrible
7
Lynda B
Boston, MA141 contributions
Jan 2020
The Glass Bottom Boat took us out on the 11 am tour. It was a great day, perfect weather for a boat ride. Our narrator was so great and he pointed out many different corals and fish while we were there. So FUN - there were dolphins racing side of the boat on our return trip! Quite exciting!
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thetravelingvegan
11 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
If you are an avid Diver, this is not the place to travel from far away. It’s far from World class, far from bucket list. Almost all of it is with an under 20 feet of water with no current and there’s just not a lot to see. The reefs have seen better days for sure, but I doubt it ever was that great. I’m not trying to be a negative Nancy, but I have a lot to compare it to around the world. It’s just not that great.
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobtheFishman
San Diego12 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
Blue Green Algae/Cyanobacteria, Millepora/Fire Coral and other bio-indicators pointing to env. degradation. Few fishes, broken stony corals, mis-shapen broken sea fans/gorgonians.... TOO many boats (thirty some when we were there), TOO many divers kicking the habitat. It should be closed to public use for a year or two, then reassessed for tourist use.
Written January 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DarkRoads
San Francisco, CA338 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
I dove various parts of this reef over the course of several dives. It's fairly shallow (about 30 ft.) and had great visibility. The corals were beautiful and the marine life was amazing. Everywhere I looked, there were fish - all kinds of fish. It was amazing. This is a wonderful dive that both novice and experienced divers will enjoy.
Written May 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nik1021
Mohnton, PA6 contributions
Jan 2023
Loved this reef. Not too deep, nice and colorful, teeming with fish, sharks, turtles, lots to see! Ask your dive shop where the goliath Grouper is!
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyL60365
Delafield, WI51 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
There is a glass bottom boat tour of this reef from John Pennekamp state park, about $30 per adult for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. A worthwhile experience, if you decide to go here are some tips:
- Make a reservation in advance, no payment required
- Show up to register and pay at the time they tell you or before, the line is extremely long! Also, there are 4-5 lines for different things, make sure you are in the correct one (look for the longest line)
- We went with 3 foot seas and were warned numerous times about seasickness. My wife and I have never even been close to motion sickness - until this tour. If you start feeling dizzy or weak-legged, turn away from the glass bottom and look outside, focus on the horizon. They also sell dramamin for $1 a pop or BYO pill bottle. We didn't need it but lots of people did.
- Make a reservation in advance, no payment required
- Show up to register and pay at the time they tell you or before, the line is extremely long! Also, there are 4-5 lines for different things, make sure you are in the correct one (look for the longest line)
- We went with 3 foot seas and were warned numerous times about seasickness. My wife and I have never even been close to motion sickness - until this tour. If you start feeling dizzy or weak-legged, turn away from the glass bottom and look outside, focus on the horizon. They also sell dramamin for $1 a pop or BYO pill bottle. We didn't need it but lots of people did.
Written April 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelda H
Truro, Canada27 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
Well worth the $22, we went out 6 miles from shore and saw lots of sea life (dolphins, sting ray, hammerhead shark).
Written January 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chevyvt7
California, MD33 contributions
Dec 2020
We loved diving Molasses Reef with Key Largo Dive Center. Captain Larry and our Dive Master Max were the BEST crew! Our family (4) has only recently taken up scuba, so having professionals like KLDC to help us get the most out of Molasses Reef is highly recommended. We saw soooooo many fish, plus some nurse sharks, and a few turtles, the Spanish anchor, the wreck of the SS Benwood, and a couple of great sunsets heading back to Key Largo Fisheries where KLDC docks their boat. The Reef is NOT to be missed. Snorkel it, view it by glass bottom boat, or best of all, swim with the schools of fish from 25-40 feet deep as a diver. You'll love it.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark A
Olathe, KS75 contributions
Aug 2019
Reef is showing signs of damage and reef health problems. It is still an easy place to dive and there is still much fish life to see. During the summer there are too many dive boats on the reef and too much diver traffic underwater.
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pegasus44
Colorado Springs, CO328 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We had rented our own boat and snorkeled this reef. Lots of fish come to greet you as you drive up and get in the water. The water is warm and calm. Plus the underwater Jesus statue is around
Written June 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
How long is the boat ride from John Pennekamp park to snorkel at Molasses Reef ?
Written May 29, 2020
What ‘glass bottom boat’ charter goes to Molasses Reef? Any suggestions on which one is best & most informative? TIA
Written February 14, 2020
Thx! Have you done this charter? If so, your thoughts, pls? Was the view good? TIA
Written February 15, 2020
Should I be concerned about any potential shark attack? This will be my first dive. Thanks.
Written September 9, 2019
Just reef and sometimes nurse. I wouldn’t worry
Written September 14, 2019
Look at Molasses Reef, we posted 3 of them from that reef. Posted picture on a different date.
Written June 25, 2017
caaccrxi01789
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Recommendations for snorkel only boat tour out of key largo
Written April 24, 2016
I would look into Ocean Divers out of Key Largo. I just used them this past February.
They were professional, friendly snd well organized. They have the newest and fastest boats in the keys. Thier new boats and location puts you on the reefs quickly.
Written March 16, 2017
Yes you can. Molasses Reef has many spots where the coral comes within a few feet of the surface, and in spots the coral is breaching the surface. Ocean Divers has reef trips every day and some spots are specific for snorkeler's.
Written July 13, 2015
What snorkeling outfit is the best to use to see the molasses reef? We will be in Key Largo 3-22-15 to 3-26-15 trying to find things to do worthwhile while there any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thank you, Kara
Written February 16, 2015
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