Marker 32, Coral reef in Florida Keys, United States.
Marker 32 is a coral reef in the Florida Keys located south of Key West between Western Sambo and 9-Foot Stake reefs within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The site is equipped with mooring buoys to prevent anchoring damage to the coral colonies below.
A pillar coral colony was documented here in 2010, indicating long-term presence of this species at the location. This observation became part of ongoing monitoring efforts to understand the reef ecosystem.
Marine scientists visit regularly to track populations of endangered grouper species and share findings with other research sites across the region.
Visitors must use the mooring buoys provided and should check current fishing regulations beforehand, as restrictions change throughout the year. Snorkeling allows you to view the coral formations from a safe distance without contacting the fragile structures.
The reef hosts substantial colonies of pillar coral species that grow in distinctive vertical formations, making it one of the few locations where this rare coral type thrives. The presence of these specialized corals makes the site particularly valuable for tracking reef health in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
