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.
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Sea Turtles are a common sight in the Florida Keys |
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.
Certified
divers can choose from a number of gorgeous diving locations: |
Name |
Location
/ MM |
Experience
Level |
Lat/Long
Coord |
Details |
| Looe
Key |
Big Pine /
29 |
Novice - Advanced |
24º32.70
81º24.50 |
HMS Looe |
| Molasses
Reef |
Key Largo
/ 97 |
Novice |
25º01.00
80º22.53 |
#1 Dive Site |
| Sombrero
Reef |
Marathon /
45 |
Novice |
24º37.50
81º06.50 |
Coral Bridge |
| Christ
of the Deep |
Key Largo
/ 108 |
Novice |
25º07.45
80º17.80 |
Submerged
Statue |
| French
Reef |
Key Largo
/ 103 |
Novice - Advanced |
25º02.06
80º21.00 |
Caves &
Fish |
| Thunderbolt
|
Marathon /
57 |
Advanced |
24º39.48
80º57.90 |
Ship 120 ft.
deep |
| Alligator
Reef |
Islamorada
/ 80 |
Intermediate |
24º50.72
80º36.93 |
Wreck from
1825 |
| The
Elbow |
Key Largo |
Novice |
|
Three Wrecked
Ships |
| Carysfort |
Key Largo
/ 116 |
Novice - Intermediate |
25º13.80
80º12.74 |
HMS Winchester |
| Marquesas |
Key West /
NA |
Intermediate |
24°33’
82°09 |
25 nmi offshore |
| Adolphus
Busch |
Cudjoe/Big
Pine/ 24 |
Advanced |
25º02.06
80º21.00 |
Giant Grouper |
| Little
Conch Reef |
Islamorada
/ 96 |
Intermediate |
24º56.51
80º28.55 |
Fan Corals |
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.
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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.
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