What is the Parrot Head Reef?

The Parrot Head Reef is a .25-acre square site 21 miles off Key West, Fla. that will feature memorials honoring the original beach lover and ocean advocate, Jimmy Buffett.

What is a reef ball?

A reef ball is a hollow, vented structure created from environmentally friendly, pH-neutral concrete. Because they are vented, ocean currents pass through and fish love to play, circling in and out of them. The majority of weight is at the bottom of a reef ball, so it stays where it’s placed on the ocean floor. Mother Nature loves this material and begins her art project nearly immediately, adding natural marine matter to make it her own in as little as a few weeks.

How big are the memorials?

The Parrot Head Reef will feature 2 reef sizes. Bay Balls are approximately 2-feet high by 3-feet wide and weigh about 600 pounds. Pallet Balls are approximately 3-feet high by 3-feet wide and weigh about 1,600 pounds.

Can plaques be personalized?

Yes, and we encourage as much creativity as possible. We envision song names, PHiP club names and nicknames, humorous anecdotes…basically any and all of the above. Anything that will fit on the 8” circular bronze plaque is fair game. Two samples to get the creative juices flowing:

What is an engineered reef?

Multiple individual reef balls make up an engineered reef. Reef balls become a permanent addition to the marine environment and significant natural ocean growth appears in a few short weeks. Mother Nature loves the reef design and quickly ‘adopts’ a reef ball as her own, adding marine life and growth, and welcoming the structures quickly into the natural ecosystem.

Over the years, man has done a great deal of damage to the seas and oceans of our world. Many natural reefs have been destroyed and over fished. Establishing new, engineered reefs helps take pressure off the natural reef systems and begins to repair the damage done by mankind. Reef balls provide a nurturing environment for fish and other sea life critical to the marine environment.

Are reef balls stable in the marine environment?

Reef balls have 30+ years of documented stability in the marine environment. Over these years, reef balls have been hit directly by category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes and there is no indication of any significant movement. With over 1 million reef balls placed worldwide, the reef ball design has a proven track record and, during the devastating hurricane seasons of 1998, 2004 and 2024, many of our sites were hit directly by storms and all our reefs remained in place.

Can I dive on the Parrot Head Reef?

Yes, it’s a publicly permitted site – it belongs to you. However, for the safety of all involved, we cannot have divers in the water until all the reef balls are deployed and safely situated on the ocean floor.

How much does it cost to participate in the Parrot Head Reef?

Bay Balls (2’x3’) = $2,500
Pallet Balls (3’x3’) = $3,000
*add $1,000 for non-PHiP members
*reef balls must be paid for in full at time of purchase.
*add 3% for credit card purchases
Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for details.

PHiP and Eternal Reefs are non-profits. Will my payment be tax deductible?

Yes, to the fullest extent of the tax code. Since your reef ball will be deployed to public waters, it is a gift to the ocean community. We recommend you consult your financial advisor for your own individual situation. You will be provided with a donation letter documenting the purchase.

Can I come to Key West and watch the inaugural dedication of the Parrot Head Reef?

Yes, we welcome you to join the party and help us honor Jimmy Buffett. We plan to have all reef balls complete with their individual plaques for display and viewing the week prior to September 1, 2025.* On September 1, we will deploy the reef balls by barge. Anyone is welcome come join 21 miles offshore, but you must be responsible for providing your own ocean transportation.

*dates subject to weather conditions

Will the reef balls in the Parrot Head Reef contain cremated remains?

Although Eternal Reefs, one of the collaborating partners, is an ocean memorialization non-profit and exists primarily to help families create memorials to their loved ones by mixing their cremated remains to form an Eternal Reef, there are no plans currently to incorporate any cremated remains into the reef balls being placed on the Parrot Head Reef.