The Statue of Christ Key Largo

The statue of christ under the Island Ventures boat
Statue of Christ of the Abyss under our boat

Brief History

Statue of Christ of the Abyss stretching up to the sunlight

The most popular requested site by Divers and Snorkelers alike is The statue of Christ of the Abyss and also known as the underwater statue of Jesus.

The statue of Christ of the Abyss is one of 3 located in different parts of the world. The statues are all cast in bronze from the same mould.

Guido Galletti cast the original statue.  In 1954 the first statue was submerged in Genoa Italy to inspire people to visit the underwater world. It also marks the place where the first Italian to wear SCUBA gear died in 1947.  See this article for details of the origins of the first statue.

Headshot of the Christ Statue at Key Largo Dry Rocks. The picture shows a closeup of the head and right arm and hand. the statue is covered in fire coral and some other soft corals

Second statue was submerged in Grenada to remember those saved from the Italian ship Bianca C. which sank in the harbor.

The third casting was commissioned by Italian dive equipment manufacturer, Egidio Cressi and donated to The Underwater Society of America in 1962. Finally submerged at John Pennekamp state park, Key Largo on 25 August 1965.

If you can’t get underwater to visit, though, there is also a replica of the statue that can be found in St. George in the Caribbean, Key Largo

The Site

Statue of Christ of the Abyss head shot
<span style=font size 12px>Statue of Christ of the Abyss head shot<span>

The statue of Christ of the Abyss statue stands in 25 feet of water. The outreached arms are less than 10 feet from the surface.

A great snorkel site where you can see the statue from the surface or dive down to see the statue close up.  Do not touch any part of the statue as over the years it has become covered in fire coral.

Photo opportunities are great for divers with the statue and afterwards many channels and gullies to explore.  Divers can navigate to and from the statue just remember to keep your right or left shoulder facing the reef wall. To return turn around and let the other shoulder face the wall until you return to the statue.

Wildlife

Stingray by Statue of Christ of the Abyss
<span style=font size 12px>Ray by Statue of Christ of the Abyss<span>

The reef has a lot of fish life to see but as always the best way to see them is to move slowly and quietly and they will come to you!

Southern sting rays are often seen. Like to one shown here right in the gully where the statue plinth is.  Rays dig themselves into the sand and divers can quite often swim straight over them.  When your diving over a sandy seabed look at the sand to see if any part of it is different from the rest of the area and then look for the tail as often sticking out.  We watched this Ray for a few minutes when it decided it had enough of our company and left!

Nurse sharks and turtles  sit in the nooks and crannies of the reef formation so move slowly and keep your eyes peeled!

Visiting the statue

The statue is probably the most famous snorkel and dive site in the world. Its certainly the most photographed!

Not all Key Largo tour boats go to the statue as it does suffer withe high waves when the weather is poor. There can also be current and occasionally visibility so bad you can see the statue from the surface.

Island Ventures will always take you to the statue if you request it as your preferred site. This is weather dependent but if we can get there and it is safe to do so we will get you in the water.