Hardbottom Cave

Hardbottom Cave is an approachable shore dive along Key Largo’s offshore reefs, featuring a shallow to mid-depth limestone cave with a swim-through and a rounded ceiling. Expect dim ambient light, a sandy and rubble-strewn bottom, and occasional current that can sweep you through the cave's entrance. The site typically hosts the standard Florida Keys assemblage: Florida reef species such as grunts, snapper, moray eels, Caribbean reef squid, and schooling fish around the cave mouth. Entry is usually from a sandy bottom with a gentle drop into the cave interior, making it suitable for trained divers who are comfortable with cave-like overhead environments. Visibility is generally good in calm conditions, with best conditions during stable weather. Nearby reefs and ledges offer additional macro and juvenile fish life along with occasional tropicals.