The Elbow Sanctuary Preservation Area

Map of The Elbow Sanctuary Preservation Area

The Elbow Sanctuary Preservation Area is a bank reef with a well-defined spur and groove system and healthy deepwater corals located approximately six nautical miles southeast of Key Largo. The Elbow also features sunken wrecks in the area, including one just off the Elbow Lighthouse known as City of Washington, a schooner lost in 1917. The Civil War wreck, with wooden beams and iron fasteners, is just north of the lighthouse.

The Elbow is located within the boundaries of the Key Largo Existing Management Area, formerly Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

Very high water temperatures in the summer of 2023 have caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality in the Florida Keys. Descriptions of coral cover or coral health on this page may not be accurate based on current conditions.

Special regulations apply here. Learn more about what activities are allowed in this type of zone.

A summary of all sanctuary regulations is available online. For the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.