5+ Resources for Marine Life ID in Florida

Ever wondered what you’re looking at during a dive? You’re not alone. These are the best resources for scuba diver’s to learn marine life ID in Florida!

We’ve all been there: wanting to know soooo badly what it is we’re looking at during a dive. Cool fish? Wild looking creature? Ugh, if only I knew literally ANYTHING!

And believe me, I understand your pain. Try dating a marine biologist and self proclaimed fish nerd. Laura seems to know exactly what she’s seeing at all times underwater. Meanwhile, I sort of just day dream of what’s for lunch after our dive.

If you’re like me, you’ve wanted to improve your fish and marine life identification skills too (probably for a different reason, though). Honestly, at the very least, good ID vastly improves the quality of your dives!

This article presents you with a few great resources to use both in and outside of the water when learning fish and marine identification in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean!

Resources for Scuba Divers to Learn Reef Fish and Marine Life ID in Florida

Still a student to the ocean, books and waterproof cards are the life blood of my learning. Sure, there’s fancy apps, programs, and websites designed to help too, but there’s nothing quite like having a slate underwater or a book to reference as soon as you’re back on dry land.

1. Reef Fish Identification – Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas

The ultimate reference for reef fish in Florida. This book is often used in marine biology courses at most major universities (at least in Florida)!

Learn the basics, behaviors, and common locations for sightings for nearly 700 different species. This book will keep you entertained for years to come.

2. Waterproof ID Pocket Guide

I often use this book on the dive boat to teach students specific fish they may see during a dive – or to reference after the dive.

It’s not as extensive as the Reef Fish ID book, but its waterproof pages make it the perfect addition to any dive trip in South Florida!

3. Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas

Yes, reef creatures are a thing. Not everything is a fish, you know?

Invertebrates are prominently featured in this book, 900 of them to be exact! Again, this book will keep you busy for a lifetime!

4. Fish Cards for Underwater Identification

Fish Cards make great resources for underwater identification. These cards can be attached to your BCD via a clip or string to learn the fish/animal as you see them!

They’re cheap, simple, useful, and never really become outdated!

5. Reef Coral Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas

The Florida Reef Tract runs from the Dry Tortugas (west of Key West) all the way up to the St Lucie Inlet in Martin County – a 360 mile linear distance. That’s a lot of coral to explore!

The same authors of the previously displayed books make the most extensive resource for coral ID in the region. All three are a must for any scuba diver’s library!

Additional Marine Life Identification in Florida Resources

• Our friends have a website challenging divers to identify 100 fish in one dive! Insane, right? Not as much as you’d think!. Check it out here!
• REEF is a Florida based nonprofit educating the public about Fish ID!