Fowey Rocks

Fowey Rocks is a prominent dive site located within Biscayne National Park, about seven miles southeast of Cape Florida on Key Biscayne. The site is best known for the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, which has been a crucial navigational aid since its construction in the late 19th century. The lighthouse, often referred to as the “Eye of Miami,” was built between 1875 and 1878 and first lit in 1878. It stands 130 feet above the water and was designed to warn mariners of the dangerous reefs in the area. The reef around Fowey Rocks is teeming with marine life and healthy coral growth, making it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. The clear, warm waters provide excellent visibility, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant underwater ecosystem. The reef is home to a variety of tropical fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, as well as other marine creatures like lobsters and eels. The site also features three shipwrecks—the Arratoon Apcar, Mississippi, and Tarpon—located just a few hundred feet from the lighthouse, offering additional points of interest for divers. Fowey Rocks Lighthouse itself is an engineering marvel. Constructed with iron piles to withstand the harsh marine environment, the lighthouse features a two-story octagonal keeper’s dwelling in the Second Empire style, complete with a 50-foot tall enclosed spiral stairwell leading up to the lantern room. The original first-order Fresnel lens, which was displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, has since been replaced with a modern solar-powered light visible up to 17 miles out to sea.