Rainbow Reef

Description: Part of the middle linear reef tract that runs north to south off Key Biscayne. The southern buoys are shallower and provide good snorkeling opportunities. The benthic cover at this site is dense and diverse with numerous hard corals (including the threatened Staghorn Coral), gorgonians, sponges, and colonial zoanthids. Reef fish including grunts may be abundant here.

Depth: 17-28 feet

Number of Buoys: Six

Special Note: Active research is underway at Rainbow Reef. You may observe numbered tags or rebar stakes similar to the images below. These tags and rebar stakes are essential for future monitoring so please do not remove or tamper with any you may see at this reef or any reef along Florida's Coral Reef. This reef is also an active coral restoration area where the University of Miami and the Rescue a Reef program host citizen science expeditions to provide snorkelers and SCUBA divers hands-on opportunities to assist with coral reef conservation efforts. You can help monitor these reefs by providing updates and images through "SEAFAN" at 886-770-SEFL (7335) or www.SEAFAN.net.

This reef was also the focus of the "100 Yards of Hope" coral restoration project which brought together Special Operations veterans, marine scientists, and NFL Green on a football field-sized coral conservation mission. Watch the documentary.