Christ of the Abyss snorkel trip

A nine-foot bronze Christ stands on a 20-ton concrete base at Key Largo Dry Rocks, about five or six miles off Key Largo, arms raised towards the surface in less than 25 feet of water. It is a cast from the same mould as the 1954 original in the bay of San Fruttuoso near Portofino, and it was lowered here in 1965, among coral that forms a small box canyon.

The snorkel boats from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park take two and a half hours: about 45 minutes on the boat and an hour in the water. The statue is one of several inner-reef stops, and the captain picks the site on the day by weather, sea state and free moorings, so it is never promised. Glass-bottom boats don't go there at all; it is too shallow. Everyone must be able to swim, a safety vest is worn in the water the whole time, children under 15 stay with an adult, and the crew teach snorkelling on the boat but don't guide in the water. Masks, fins and wetsuits are for rent at the dock, and there are showers back on shore.