About the Christ of the Abyss
The Christ of the Abyss statue was installed at Key Largo Dry Rocks reef in 1963 — a gift from the Cressi family, the Italian dive equipment company, to commemorate the opening of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first underwater park.
It is one of only three castings made from the same original mold, designed by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. The original stands in the Mediterranean off Portofino, Italy. A second stands in Grenada in the Caribbean. This one — the most visited of the three — stands in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, 22 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
The statue’s hands are raised toward the light. From the surface, looking down, you can see them clearly reaching up toward you.
It is genuinely one of the most surreal things you will ever see underwater.

What Snorkeling the Christ of the Abyss Actually Looks Like
The statue sits on the sea floor 22 feet deep, on a 4 foot tall pedestal that brings the outstretched hands to less then 10 feet from the surface. On a clear day — which is most days in the Keys — you can see the entire figure from above.
You float on the surface, face down, looking directly at the statue below you. The hands appear to reach up toward you. Sunlight filters through the water and catches the bronze, which has been colonized by 60 years of coral growth and marine life. Fish live in the folds of his robe.
It is quiet. It is beautiful. Most people come up from the water not saying anything for a moment.
Depth: 22 feet to the base, 10 feet to the hands Visibility: Typically 30 feet on a calm day sometimes 80+ Difficulty: Beginner-friendly — no diving required, no experience needed Who it’s for: Anyone who can float comfortably on the surface and swim without assistance — ages 5 and up.
Why You Book With Us — Not the State Park Boats
Here’s what nobody tells you before they book a Christ of the Abyss trip.
On a busy Saturday at noon, there can be 8 boats tied to the same buoys at Dry Rocks. That’s 300 or more people in the water at once. You’re not snorkeling the Christ of the Abyss — you’re queuing for it.
We run snorkel-only boats. No scuba divers sharing the deck, no waiting for divers to surface, no compromise.
We cap our boats below maximum capacity — so you have room to breathe, float, and actually experience the statue rather than fighting for a view.
We go early. First boat on the reef means clearer water before crowds stir up the sand, and a genuinely peaceful encounter with one of the ocean’s most extraordinary landmarks. Our 815 trip visits the statue before the crowds. Our 845 tours Catch the quiet time just after mid day and our Golden hour tours are almost always just us out there.
And if weather means the Christ site is too choppy to visit safely, we don’t cancel your day — we pivot to protected sites with equal marine life that most tourists never find. You always get in the water.
5 stars from over 4,500 reviewers. This is what that looks like in practice.


What Else Lives at Key Largo Dry Rocks
The Christ of the Abyss doesn’t stand alone. The surrounding reef at Key Largo Dry Rocks is one of the most biodiverse sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Around and above the statue you’ll find:
- French angelfish traveling in pairs along the reef edge
- Parrotfish grazing on coral
- Schools of sergeant majors hovering in the water column
- Barracuda — long, silver, and completely harmless
- Brain coral and elkhorn coral formations that have been growing for decades
- A goliath grouper who hides near the statue
- The occasional sea turtle passing through
The reef itself is part of the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Coming here isn’t just a vacation activity — it’s seeing something genuinely rare.
Which Silent World Trip Takes You to the Christ of the Abyss?
All of our snorkel trips include the Christ of the Abyss as a primary site, weather permitting. Here’s how to choose:
- The Keys Classic Tour — $75 Two sites, three hours. The Christ of the Abyss plus one additional reef location. Most frequent departures. Best value. 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Perfect for first-timers. → Book the Classic Tour
- The Snorkeling Legends Tour — $109 Three sites, 4.5 hours. The Christ of the Abyss, Molasses Reef, and the Benwood Wreck. 2 full hours snorkeling . Our crew’s favorite. The full Keys experience in one day. → Book the Legends Tour
- The Icons and Secrets Tour — $99 Three sites, 4.5 hours. The Christ of the Abyss plus two hidden gems most tourists never find — the Schooner Wreck and Carysfort Lighthouse Reef. 2 full hours in the water. → Book Icons and Secrets
- The Pennekamp Safari –$90 Three sites, 3.5 hours The Christ of the Abyss plus 2 nearby reefs. 1.5 hours in the water. This is the fast paced option for active snorkelers who want to cover more sites and maximize potential for wildlife. → Book the Pennekamp Safari
- The Golden hour –> 99 One site 1 hour in water, Christ of the abyss At sunset when all the other boats have gone home . Slow sunset ride home with a souvenir Silipint and champagne sunset toast. The only way to see the Christ of the Abyss at sunset in Key Largo. → Book the Golden Hour
- Private Charter –> Your group, your boat, your pace. Christ of the Abyss or any sites you choose. Groups of 8 or more often find private charter pricing surprisingly comparable to individual tickets. → Inquire About a Private Charter
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- Can you see the Christ of the Abyss without diving? Yes. The statue is clearly visible from the surface on any day with good visibility. No scuba experience or certification required.
- How deep is the Christ of the Abyss? The base sits at 22 feet. The outstretched hands reach to approximately 10 from the surface — well within snorkeling view.
- Is the Christ of the Abyss always accessible? Weather dependent. On rough days, wave action at the Dry Rocks site can reduce visibility or make conditions uncomfortable. When that happens, we pivot to protected sites with comparable marine life. We never cancel your whole trip due to one site being unavailable.
- What is the best time to visit the Christ of the Abyss? Morning trips, weekdays, and the winter/spring season (November through May) offer the best combination of clear water, calm conditions, and fewer boats.
- Is the Christ of the Abyss in John Pennekamp State Park? Yes. Key Largo Dry Rocks, where the statue stands, is within the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- How far offshore is the statue? Approximately 6 miles offshore from Key Largo. Boat ride time is roughly 20-30 minutes from our dock.
- Can children snorkel the Christ of the Abyss? Yes — we welcome snorkelers ages 5 and up who are comfortable floating on the surface. Pool noodles available on request.

Ready to See It for Yourself?
The Christ of the Abyss has been underwater for 60 years, waiting to be discovered. Most people who see it say the same thing afterward — I can’t believe that’s real.
It’s real. And it’s only 6 miles from Key Largo.
Questions? Call us directly or check our FAQ.
