Touchdown Reef

Touchdown Reef is a shallow coastal reef dive site near Pompano Beach, Hillsboro Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Located along the Florida Atlantic coast, the site offers protected conditions typical of nearshore reefs. Entry is typically easy from a beach or small jetty, with a gentle slope and plenty of sandy patches between coral heads. Expect a mix of hard corals, brain corals and staghorn in healthy colonies, plus a range of tropical fish common to South Florida reefs such as snappers, grunts, parrotfish and trunkfish. Visibility can vary with currents and weather but is usually good enough for recreational diving, especially for beginner to intermediate level divers. Care should be taken to avoid contact with delicate corals and to monitor shallow currents near the reef edge. The site lies close to developed coastal towns, making access convenient for locals and visiting divers.