Key Largo, Florida, United States

Christ of the Abyss

Christ of the Abyss is a 4-metre bronze sculpture standing on the sand at Key Largo Dry Rocks inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The statue is the third casting from the same mould as the original Christ of the Abyss installed in San Fruttuoso, Italy, in 1954, and was donated to the Underwater Society of America by Italian diving entrepreneur Egidi Cressi in 1962. Its arms are raised toward the surface, fingers encrusted with coral, sponges and barnacles after six decades underwater. Depth at the base is around 8 metres, with the head at roughly 4 metres, so the site is suitable for snorkelers and open water divers. Surrounding shallow reef hosts French angelfish, sergeant majors, parrotfish, spiny lobster and the occasional green moray eel. The location is inside a sanctuary preservation area: do not touch, anchor only on moorings, and be ready for boat traffic above. Best dived in calm summer mornings when visibility opens up.