Florida Keys Diving & Snorkeling

The crystal-clear blue waters and vast array of sea life earned the Florida Keys the title of “Diving Capital of the World.” Whether you’re a certified SCUBA diver, an intrepid snorkeler, or a glass-bottom boat lover, the only living coral reef system in the mainland U.S. has something for you. A thriving ecosystem comprising 6,000 species and underwater visibility that can reach up to 120 feet, the Florida Keys is every diver’s dream.

Sea Turtles are a common sight in the Florida Keys

Listings by Area
Key Largo	Islamorada
Key West	Marathon
Big Pine Key

Scuba Diving

Spend hours swimming amongst the sea life and enjoying the sun and sand of the tropical paradise that is the Keys. You can take your own boat, rent a boat, or hire a charter service to take you to the reef or wreck of your choice. Dive shops freckle the island chain—there are more dive shops here per square mile than anywhere else worldwide—so you’re never far from a reputable outfitter.

Consider diving first in daylight, and then heading out again under the darkness of night, when different fish are active. Don’t touch or disturb any of the corals as they’re easily damaged, and removal of coral, including broken or dead branches, is illegal throughout the 2,800 square nautical miles of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Divers who don’t want to surface can lodge at Jules’ Undersea Lodge off Key Largo, the world’s first underwater hotel. A converted marine research lab, outfitted with all the modern amenities, now accommodates overnight guests beneath the protected waters of the emerald Lagoon. Newbies can enroll in a three-hour introductory course before heading through the mangroves, and full certification classes are also offered. Contact (305) 451-2353 for details and reservations.

Shallow Wrecks are good snorkeling opportunities for beginners

Snorkeling & Hookah Diving

You can snorkel just about anywhere, except posted marine sanctuary areas and, of course, in boat traffic lanes. Many shipwrecks are in shallow waters quickly accessible via a short charter boat ride offshore. Even those who snorkel at the beach will see dozens of species of fish, conchs, rays, and marine vegetation—Bahia Honda, directly north of the Seven Mile Bridge, is an excellent beach for first-time snorkelers. Another popular snorkeling area is the Grecian Rocks off Key Largo, where the waters are calm and the fish and corals bright and abundant.

Hookah is the sort of diving you might associate with Jules Verne and his 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea novel, and reasonably so. Hookah divers need no certification, and can spend up to two hours submerged while tethered to their boat by a long hose that supplies air. Several different charter companies offer hookah instruction and day trips.

Florida Keys Sea Life

There are over 600 species of aquatic creatures in the waters surrounding the Keys, and many more if you include the sea birds, marine plants, and amphibians like giant sea turtles, which divers frequently see around shipwrecks and natural reef formations. Some of the highlights include:
• Dolphins & Porpoise
• Corals
• Barracuda
• Moray Eels
• Jewfish (giant grouper)
• Marlin & Sailfish
• Pilot Whales
• Sharks: Nurse, Blacktip, Hammerhead, and others
• Rays: Leopard, Cow, Manta, Stinging, and more

See the Sea without Leaving Land

Visitors who’d rather remain grounded during their visit can still experience much of the indigenous aquatic wonders. (These are also good opportunities for divers who failed an up-close meeting with a shark or ray). The Key West Aquarium at Mallory Square offers tours and shark feeding shows, as well as displays of most of the indigenous marine critters. Call (800) 868-7482 for times and tickets.

Theatre of the Sea on Islamorada is an adventure park centered around marine mammals and features daily dolphin and sea lion shows. Swim with dolphins, sea lions, or even stingrays. Relax on a “bottomless boat” ride or on the beach along the lagoon. Open year-round; call (305) 664-2431 for information & reservations.