Hen & Chickens

Located just 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key, the “Hens and Chickens” reef is a snorkeler’s paradise and a delightful spot for novice divers. The reef is marked by a 35-foot lighted tower and is bounded by four boundary buoys, making it easily identifiable1. The site is named for its distinctive layout, where a large central coral formation—the ‘hen’—is surrounded by numerous smaller coral formations—the ‘chickens.’ This creates a picturesque underwater landscape that is both unique and fascinating to explore. The reef’s shallow waters, with depths ranging from 5 to 35 feet, are teeming with life and offer excellent visibility for underwater enthusiasts. The coral formations are a mix of stony and gorgonian types, including brain, star, staghorn, sea fans, sea plumes, and white sponges1. These vibrant ecosystems provide a habitat for a variety of marine species. Divers and snorkelers at “Hens and Chickens” can expect to see schools of grunts and schoolmaster fish, as well as blue tangs, angelfish, parrotfish, green moray eels, groupers, spiny lobsters, barracuda, and reef crabs1. The reef’s structure, with its cracks, crevices, and small ledges, offers plenty of nooks and crannies for marine life to thrive and for divers to discover. The “Hens and Chickens” reef is not only a hub of biodiversity but also serves as an educational site where children and adults alike can learn about marine conservation and the importance of preserving such delicate ecosystems. It’s a place where the wonders of the ocean come to life, offering a memorable experience for all who visit.