About 6 Toed Cat
The dive site known as "6 Toed Cat" is not a recognized dive location in Mexico; rather, it refers to the polydactyl felines, many with six toes, that inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida. These cats are descendants of Hemingway's original six-toed cat, Snow White, given to him by a ship captain, and have become an iconic part of the museum's charm. The house itself, built in 1851 in a French Colonial style, was Hemingway's home near the Key West Lighthouse and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968. While the name evokes a whimsical idea of an underwater site, the "6 Toed Cat" is a land-based attraction. The cats are frequently seen lounging throughout the historic grounds, perching on furniture and exploring the lush gardens, offering a unique literary and animal encounter. Key West, situated at the southernmost end of Florida's Overseas Highway, is known for its vibrant atmosphere, historic architecture, and beautiful coral reefs. The Florida Keys archipelago, which includes Key West, is a significant destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, featuring extensive coral reefs and diverse marine life. For instance, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, part of the Upper Keys, is a premier dive destination with over 40 types of coral and nearly 600 fish species, popular even for inexperienced divers. Diving here involves exploring rich reef ecosystems, with options for guided tours for certified divers. Encounters with marine life in the Florida Keys generally include a wide array of reef fish, corals, and occasionally larger species depending on the specific dive site. The focus for "6 Toed Cat," however, remains on the historical and unique feline residents rather than underwater biodiversity. The cats are present year-round at the museum, providing a consistent draw for visitors interested in Hemingway's legacy and these distinctive animals. From a practical perspective, visiting the Hemingway House involves walking through a historic property to observe the cats and period artifacts. Diving in the broader Key West area would typically involve boat entries to reef sites, suitable for various certification levels depending on depth and current exposure, often with multiple dives per outing. However, for the "6 Toed Cat" experience, no diving equipment or certification is required, just an appreciation for history and quirky animal companions.
Highlights
Ernest Hemingway Home MuseumPolydactyl cat descendantsHemingway's historic artifactsLush tropical gardensFrench Colonial architecture
Dive site facts: 6 Toed Cat
- Current
- Mild
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 20.8267° N, 86.8687° W
Conditions & Currents
Currents are usually mild, which makes this a relaxed dive suitable for most certified divers. It is usually briefed as a dive for beginner divers. It can be dived from a liveaboard or a day boat, depending on where you start the trip. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive 6 Toed Cat from a liveaboard?
6 Toed Cat is one of Mexico's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include 6 Toed Cat on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving 6 Toed Cat
These liveaboards may visit 6 Toed Cat on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Nautilus Explorer
Mexico
25 guests44.8 m
$230/day
Valentina
Mexico
20 guests38.1 m
$430/day
Rocio del Mar
Mexico
20 guests33.5 m
$392/day
Nautilus Under Sea
Mexico
19 guests32 m
$261/day
Nautilus Belle Amie
Mexico
32 guests44.8 m
$299/day
Quino del Mar
Mexico
20 guests36 m
$392/day
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35.36 m
$332/day
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- Depth
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- Current
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- Access
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- Theme
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La Poza
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La Poza is a remarkable dive site located in Xcalak, a serene fishing village situated on Mexico's Caribbean coast, near the Belize border.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
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- Theme
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Siete Bocas
Mexico
Cenote Siete Bocas, meaning "Seven Mouths," is a unique cavern dive site nestled along the Ruta de los Cenotes near Puerto Morelos in Mexico's Riviera Maya.
- Suitable for
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- Current
- No current
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
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Sleeping Shark Cave
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Sleeping Shark Cave is a legendary underwater site situated off the eastern coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
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- Theme
- Reef