I didn’t think I’d ever be saying this but… I snorkeled with Jesus. And I have the selfie to prove it. It’s true, and when you visit Key Largo, you can too. Here’s my complete guide on how to book a Christ of the Abyss snorkel tour and everything you need to know to plan your adventure. If you have any questions just let me know. Otherwise, I hope this makes it easy for you to plan your adventure too.
How To Book A Christ Of The Abyss Snorkel Tour (& What To Expect)
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for snorkeling to the Christ of the Abyss Statue
Can you swim to the Christ of the Abyss statue?
No, you need a boat to visit the statue. Taking a snorkel tour is your best bet to see it.
How much does a tour cost?
I took a tour with Pirates Cove Watersports and it cost $55USD plus tax.
How long does it take?
The entire snorkel tour is 3.5-4 hours long.
What skill level is required?
Beginner.
What should you bring with you?
- Underwater camera – I swear by this one and use it with this floaty selfie stick
- Snorkel gear if you prefer your own
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Lightweight towel
- Water
- I like to have an Energy Gel (these are my favorite) for after snorkeling too
There’s a dry box on board where you can leave your bag while you snorkel.
The story of the Christ of the Abyss statue
You might think it’s a one of a kind, but the Christ of the Abyss statue is actually one of three that were made from the same mould, originally designed by Guido Galletti.
The original was put in the Mediterranean Sea off Genoa in 1954 as a monument to Dario Gonzatti who was the first Italian to use Scuba gear.
A second was placed off the coast of Grenada, and the third is the one you will see in Florida.
Now, this 4000 pound bronze statue is one of the most popular attractions in Key Largo.
View from the top
Where is the Christ of the Abyss statue located
The statue is located at an area called Dry Rocks in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
The boat crew will point out where it is when you get there. As you swim in that direction and get close, it’s easy to spot from the surface because it’s not too deep – the depth is about 25 feet.
Plus, I mean it’s a statue of Jesus underwater so it kind of stands out.
Do you need a Christ of the Abyss snorkel tour?
You need a boat to get to the area where the statue is.
If you have your own boat, of course you could use it to get there. It’s very popular so you will see the tour boats in the area.
Otherwise, it’s easy to take a snorkel tour and since it is so popular, many of the tours go there.
Limitations of the snorkeling tours
It’s worth adding a reminder that it’s an outdoor adventure and Mother Nature doesn’t operate according to any travel itineraries.
The weather has its own program.
It’s possible that during your visit, the tours aren’t running to this specific location because of the conditions or visibility.
Your best bet is to tell the boat crew that you’d like to see it when you book so they can make a note of requests, then hope for the best with the weather.
If it doesn’t work out, it’s not the crews fault. They’re making the best decision to keep you safe based on the conditions out there.
What to expect on your Christ of the Abyss snorkel tour
It’s funny because when I had asked some locals about it, they had said it’s a bit overrated and not that cool to see. I guess if you’ve seen it a bunch of times it gets that way.
For me, I’ve snorkeled all around the world but I’ve never seen a statue of Jesus while snorkeling so it was something different for me. I love to see new things while I’m traveling, it’s part of the fun.
In my opinion, it’s unique and iconic for Key Largo so well worth trying to see while you’re there.
I really liked seeing it because it was so different to anything I’d seen in the water. There’s something mystical about it being there with the arms wide open, especially if the light is coming in from above it.
I also like the adventure of swimming in the direction of it and waiting for the moment where I get close and it’s finally revealed.
You can expect to see the statue covered in fire coral and sea decorations. I don’t recommend touching it for that reason.
It’s one of the most popular spots in Key Largo, so you can expect to be sharing the moment with other tourists.
The only thing I didn’t appreciate about the tour was having to wear a life jacket while snorkeling. I am a confident swimmer and the life jacket was more annoying than anything. It would’ve been nice if that was optional for those who prefer it.
Other than that, it was an awesome tour and full credit to the crew who created such a fun atmosphere for us guests.
Snorkeling at Dry Rocks
After you see the statue, you can also snorkel around the reef area at Dry Rocks.
It’s a really pretty area with plenty to see. I really enjoyed seeing huge schools of colorful fish that weren’t too spooked by my presence.
You might see eagle rays, turtles, barracuda, or whatever else wants to swim by that day. Just keep your eyes peeled.
Where to stay in Key Largo
I recommend staying at the Reefhouse Resort and Marina (formerly Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort) when you visit Key Largo.
This is where I stayed during my visit and it was simply fantastic. From the amenities, to activities, to value for money, it was all top knotch and I would absolutely stay there again.
Best of all, it’s super convenient for taking the snorkeling tours because Pirates Cove Watersports is located on the resort grounds. You can easily stroll over for your tour and charge it to your room.
Here’s my full review for the resort if you’d like more details.
If you prefer to stay somewhere else, I recommend searching Booking.com. This is what I use to book accommodation when I travel and how I booked this trip. I can always find a good deal there.
Best things to do in Key Largo
Here’s my guide on the best things to do in Key Largo with a lot more adventure ideas to help you plan your trip.
It’s got everything from kayaking in mangroves, visiting a nearby state park, and taking a selfie with a giant lobster!
Other guides you might enjoy
- How To Prepare For A Snorkel Tour So That It’s An Epic Time
Solo Female Travel In Key Largo + How To Plan An Awesome Trip
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We do not snorkel. Is there another way to see this without taking a snorkel boat?
I don’t think so. The only way to see it is either snorkeling or scuba diving – both are offered with the boat tours. It’s too far out to swim to and even if you have a friend with a boat, you have to get in the water to see it because it’s not visible from outside the water.
This was a very nice guide. Thank you! Questions: I’m a little nervous out in the ocean, especially since I’ll be going with my 21yr old daughter, and I always worry about her safety. Is there any chance of getting swept out to the ocean? We’ve never been to the Keys, so I have no idea what it’s like there. I see you had to wear a life vest. Was it inflated? Thank you!
Thanks for reading it! That’s super common, the ocean is a powerful force. Of course I can’t say there’s no risk because it’s nature but it’s pretty low as long as you listen to the guidance of the crew. The tours were only ran when the weather is safe to go out, so if there was intense weather or safety concerns as far as being in the water, you probably wouldn’t be out there. I’d recommend talking to the crew on the day you go out so they can give you some tips on the day and help you out. Otherwise, you’ll have your life vest on and be able to stay close to the boat if you aren’t comfortable swimming away from it. I didn’t inflate my life vest either, but I was diving down deep a lot (which you definitely don’t have to do). I hope that helps!
Thank you for your reply and help! 🙂
Best information I have found yet about seeing the statue, no other travelers I’ve read/watched have given straightforward details, about who they tour with, etc. thank you for making this so informative!
Thanks so much for this. Made my day!
Do you have to dive down to see the corals or just the statue? I would like to see the statue but not if I have to dive to see the other corals and fish in the surrounding area as I am not great at diving with my snorkel.
No, you can see it from the surface of the water quite easily. It’s not too deep so you can float around it and still see the statue and there are also a lot of other shallower areas to look at coral, fish etc closely.
Did you hire a dive guide with your snorkeling experience?
No I just took the snorkel tour. Once I was in the water I was free to snorkel on my own, but I think they might have had one of the staff members from the boat in the water to keep track of everyone as well as watching from the boat.