Christ of the Abyss and Grecian Rocks

Approximately 3/4 of a mile south-southwest of the Christ of the Deep lies Grecian Rocks. This shallow reef is a prime location for snorkeling, with depths ranging from 4 to 6 feet in many areas. Snorkelers can experience strands of elkhorn coral and encounter large amounts of tropical fish. An old Spanish cannon lies 75 feet south of the reef, placed there several years ago. During low tide, part of the area becomes awash, revealing a white sand plateau that joins the reef. On the shoreward side of the reef, there is a beautiful cluster of star coral. The reef also includes a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) covering 0.3 square nautical miles. Due to its shallow nature, visitors must be cautious not to harm the delicate pelagic life. Remember that divers are merely guests in this underwater world. The Christ of the Abyss is an 8 1/2-foot, 4,000-pound bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ that stands in 25 feet of water off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. It is located near Dry Rocks, approximately six miles east-northeast of the Key Largo Cut, within the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This reef is a shallow, dome-shaped formation that breaks the surface at low tide on the landward side and slopes down to 25 feet on the seaward side. The statue is one of three cast from a mold by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. Originally created for Egidi Cressi, the dive equipment manufacturer, it was later donated to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in 1966. The original “Il Cristo degli Abissi” statue was placed in the Mediterranean Sea off Genoa, Italy, in 1954. In 1961, a second statue, known as the “Christ of the Deep,” was cast from the same mold. The Cressi family of Italy generously donated this statue to the Underwater Society of America, which, in turn, gifted it to the Florida State Park Service. This donation recognized the conservation efforts involved in creating America’s first underwater park. The Christ Statue remains one of the most famous and frequently visited underwater sites globally, accessible to both divers and snorkelers. The reef features shallow, high-profile spur-and-groove coral formations surrounded by relatively flat, coral- and sponge-encrusted hard bottom, along with sandy areas. Large Spotted Eagle Rays and Southern Stingrays are often spotted near the sandy perimeter. This is also one of the best Key Largo diving sites for underwater photography. The combination of beautiful coral, tropical fish and the statue in the background create the perfect composition.