Christ of the Abyss: A Heavenly Snorkeling Experience in Key Largo
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together in one place. . .the waters He called Seas: and God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1:9-10
Like the majesty of the night sky, the vast expanse of the sea, teeming with a universe of undiscovered life in the deep, reminds us of how small we really are – but also how good it is to be alive!
Called the “Dive Capital of the World,” Key Largo is the perfect place to take a breath and drink in the beauty of this inspiring underwater world. However, you don’t need a submarine to get there; just slip on some fins and dive right in!
Part of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the clear, blue waters of Key Largo Dry Rocks are home to the impressive Christ of the Abyss statue, a section of America’s only living coral reef, and an abundance of aquatic life.1
And what’s not to love about that?
Christ of the Abyss Statue
The centerpiece of Key Largo’s circular reef is this sunken statue of Christ.
Though recorded in Scripture as walking on water, this nearly-9-foot tall, bronze Christ is anchored 25 feet beneath the surface. Shrouded in sculpted robes (and bedazzled with barnacles), this Christ stands with his hands outstretched and his gaze turned ever heavenward. His stance evokes a sense of benediction as well as for prayerful petition. The light from the surface cuts through the water to illuminate his face, a common stained-glass depiction of Jesus brought to life in an understated, yet breathtaking, way.
Originally sculpted by the Italian artist Guido Galletti in 1954, the Key Largo Christ is actually the third casting from the original mold.2 A memorial for those lost at sea, the first statue resides in the Mediterranean Sea where Galletti’s friend, the first Italian SCUBA diver, Dario Gonzatti, perished.
The second statue is located in Grenada and commemorates the successful rescue of all passengers from the Bianca C. shipwreck.
Known as the “Titanic of the Caribbean,” the Bianca C. sank in 1961 after an explosion in the boiler room caused the entire ship to catch fire. The residents of St. George’s, awakened by the terrible noise, put together a makeshift fleet of luxury yachts and fishing skiffs to save each of the 672 people on board.3
The castaways were subsequently clothed, fed, and sheltered by the locals until they could return home. The Costa Line thanked the Grenadians for their heroic efforts with the commission of the second Christ statue. A bronze rendition of Christ, who said, “love thy neighbor as thyself,” was certainly a fitting gift for these hospitable islanders.
The third casting of Christ of the Abyss was commissioned by Egidi Cressi, an Italian scuba entrepreneur, as a gift for the Underwater Society of America. Donated in 1962, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was finally decided upon as a proper resting place, and the statue was submerged in 1965.
Since then, Key Largo’s Christ of the Abyss has become the most famous scuba diving and snorkeling spot of the Florida Keys.4 It’s not hard to see why – when you dip into the water and see the Savior staring back, his arms open wide, you’ll feel welcomed into these miraculously calm waters.
Coral & Creatures around Christ of the Abyss
Although swimming alongside the statue is the most iconic part of a visit here, the sea life at Jesus’ feet is also well-worth a dive!
Corals
Key Largo Dry Rocks is a snorkeler’s paradise, in part because of the plethora of corals. This section of the Florida Keys coral reef contains elkhorn, brain, and star corals.5
Both elkhorn and the three varieties of star corals are considered to be threatened species. Although elkhorn is the fastest growing coral, adding five inches in branch length per year when healthy, the thickets of this golden coral had become rare since the 1980s, when 97 percent of the Caribbean population was wiped out.6 (This was due to an outbreak of white band disease, which kills coral’s tissue.)
Hopefully, with conservation efforts, these corals will one day be commonplace and thriving once more. But for now, getting to see them happy and healthy at Key Largo is a rare opportunity!
Brain corals, the “cerebral-looking” foundations of many reefs, are more common – but no less remarkable.7 Able to grow up to six feet tall and live for 900 years, this organism’s rippled appearance offers a striking sight for intrepid snorkelers and provides a protective haven for marine life.
As you admire these cool corals, please be careful not to touch them, as it can make them vulnerable to bleaching and disease. This means no touching the Christ statue, either, as it is covered with corals. (Though underwater selfies are totally allowed!)
The motto here is, “leave nothing but bubbles!”
Creatures
As you snorkel around the Christ of the Abyss, don’t be surprised if you see a heavenly host of angels. . angelfish, that is!
Neon-vibrant parrotfish, silvery barracuda, and even sharks call this reef home.
Before the Jaws theme begins playing in your head, be assured they aren’t Great White Shark – just some nurse sharks, which are safe to swim with!
Reaching lengths of up to 10 feet, these round-headed sharks are suction feeders and are mostly inactive during the day.9 They are the most common shark to be encountered by snorkelers and SCUBA divers alike, usually spotted sleeping on the seafloor.
Though used to humans in the area, they can become startled if awoken by being petted or having their tails pulled; and that kind of interaction could lead to a bite. (None of us want to be woken up like that!) As long as you respect their space, nurse sharks don’t mind having admirers in their midst.
When you visit the Christ of the Abyss at Key Largo Dry Rocks, the beauty of the place will absolutely take your breath away. From the solemn serenity of the Christ statue to the multitude of finned friends around you, this is one place on earth where you can look around and definitively say it is good.
Cover Image
Photo: Wilfred Hdez via Flickr
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