Commonly Seen Coral Varieties while snorkeling or diving in the Florida Keys

If you're going snorkeling or diving in the Florida Keys you probably already seen colorful photographs of all the coral that you see underwater. But if you're going there you might want to be able to identify them yourself! Scroll down this page and see a master list of the most commonly observed coral and other wildlife in the Sanctuary Protected Areas (SPA) of the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys are home to Earth's second largest coral reef, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. There are so many amazing snorkeling and diving locations in the Keys and so much to see. You can also click here to see the Top snorkeling and diving locations in the Florida keys.

Commonly Seen Coral Varieties while snorkeling or diving in the Florida Keys

Below is a master identifier photo followed by notes and/or descriptions of each after it! That part will take time to fill out!

If you have access to a color printer, you can print out this PDF version of the table (it will open in a new window ready to print) below put it in a gallon size ziplock bag which makes it waterproof and take it along with you to identify the coral . Of course, double check that your zip lock bag is sealed properly, if you want to go underwater with it or take a few backup copies

Coral Varieties seen while snorkeling or diving in the Florida Keys

Varieties of Coral in Florida Keys Snorkel and Dive Sites

There are around 15–30 noticeably different varieties (species or distinct forms) of coral typically visible to snorkelers at these Florida Keys sites, though the full ecosystem supports roughly 70+ coral species overall.

The Florida Keys reefs (part of the only living barrier reef in the continental U.S.) feature both hard (stony) corals and soft corals (like sea fans and plumes). Snorkelers in shallow areas (5–30 ft) commonly notice fewer types than the total diversity, as many are small, encrusting, or in deeper zones. Visibility, health of the reef, and recent events also affect what stands out.

Commonly Seen Coral Varieties

Snorkelers often spot these prominent types across the listed locations (Looe Key Reef, Alligator Reef, Cheeca Rocks, Patch Reef, Molasses Reef, Hen and Chickens, John Pennekamp, San Pedro Wreck, Pickles Reef, Sombrero Key Reef, and Conch Reef):

Brain Corals (Grooved Brain, Symmetrical Brain, Knobby Brain) -
Large, rounded, maze-like patterns; very noticeable.
Star Corals (Mountainous Star, Lobed Star, Elliptical Star) -
Boulder-like or mounded; common on patch reefs.
Elkhorn Coral -
Broad, flat branches (like elk antlers); historically dominant but now rarer due to stress.
Staghorn Coral -
Branching, antler-like thickets; often in restoration areas.
Pillar Coral -
Tall, pillar-like columns; distinctive at sites like Looe Key.
Finger Corals (Porous Finger) -
Thin, finger-like branches.
Leaf/Plate Corals (Lettuce Coral) -
Flat, leaf-like plates.
Fire Coral -
Branching or bladed; stinging and yellowish.
Soft Corals (Sea Fans, Sea Plumes, Sea Rods) -
Purple, yellow, or tan fans and plumes that sway; very common and eye-catching.
Other - Encrusting corals, tube sponges, and barrel sponges add variety.

Site Highlights

John Pennekamp State Park: Reports around 80 coral species in the park. Many sites feature spur-and-groove formations with brain, star, elkhorn, and sea fans.
Patch Reefs (Cheeca Rocks, Hens and Chickens): Often show healthy brain and star corals.
Barrier Reefs (Molasses, Sombrero, Alligator, Looe Key): Spur-and-groove with elkhorn thickets and pillar corals at Looe Key.

What Influences Visibility

Coral health declines from bleaching, disease, and storms mean some reefs have reduced live coral cover, but restoration efforts are ongoing. Shallow snorkel depths highlight larger, upright forms (brain, star, fans) more than tiny encrusting types. Guides often point out key species.

For the best experience, join a guided snorkel tour-they provide education on coral ID and reef etiquette. Always follow “look but don’t touch” rules to protect these fragile ecosystems. The variety creates a stunning underwater landscape even if not every species is visible on one trip!

Print the identifer table and put it in a gallon size zip lock bag to take on the boat

All you need is a color printer. When you click here it will open the PDF of the image above, ready to print out in a portrait mode on a color printer. Once you print it you can simply take a pair of scissors cut off the white borders and slide it into a gallon size zip lock bag to make it waterproof. You could also use heavier card stock paper to make it stiffer.

What Influences Sightings

Conditions (such as water clarity, weather, currents, season), group size, and guide knowledge matter. Shallow calm days improve sightings; deeper or outer reefs offer bigger fish. All sites are protected: you may observe without touching or feeding. Guided tours (with ID tips) enhance the experience for some. These reefs deliver an experience like you are inside a giant aquarium, with constant color and motion.

Also see the Top 11 best snorkeling and diving locations in the Florida keys