Florida Keys Diving - Some come for the sun, some come for the fishing, and some
come because it's the only set of tropical islands in the United States.
The Florida Keys beckons all types of folks, but those who dive consider
this a special mecca, a not-to-be-missed diving destination on the circuit.
Primo reason: the reef. It's the longest reef in the region, and the only
reef in this part of the world.
The coral reef stretches all along the Florida Keys and parallel to them. In Key Largo, the reef is only about four miles from shore, and all the way out to Key West it's never more than seven miles from the land, and certainly always accessible by boat from any of the Keys. Beyond Key West, the reef makes its way to the Dry Tortugas, where it finally ends. It's really the main attraction of Key Largo, where the clear waters of the Gulf Stream make it one of the best snorkeling and dive spots in the world. Divers come here from all over the world and many of Key Largo's resorts cater specially to divers. The proximity of the reef is really what makes the Florida Keys special, and no matter how you choose to enjoy the reef, either by diving or snorkelling or just passing over it in a boat, you will feel grateful that you came to see this natural wonder.
Christ of the Abyss, Key Largo
Coral reef is one of the most ancient and intricate life forms, existing in symbiotic relationships with a huge variety and amount marine life. Because of the huge number of different species forming the little mini ecosystem of the reef, it's one of the most complex systems in the world. There are just so many players here that who knows what is happening amonst all those fish, eels, coral, urchins, you name it.
The reef protects the Florida Keys from pounding waves of the ocean, which by the way is why there are no natural beaches in the Keys. There are no pounding waves to erode the rock away and create sand. The reef is formed by coral polyps, which feed on plankton. The gorgonians are corals that are flexible like the sea fan. Sea fans are easy to spot because they are common and because they are a deep royal blue and well, they do look like tree-fans. Kind of. The hard corals are the brain, the elkhorn, and the staghorn coral. Find examples of these at Carysfort Reef in Key Largo. The hard reef is actually dead coral polyps, upon which the modern, living coral lives and feeds. Don't touch the coral (bacteria, laws) and don't harm it in any way. You cannot harvest the coral because you would be breaking the law. Often you'll see snorkel trips to the reef, where a giant boat hitches up to a buoy and dozens of geared-up snorkellers spill out into the water. Within minutes of reaching the reef, you can almost bet your money you'll see at least one person standing up, feet planted right on the coral reef. It's wrong, wrong, wrong. The coral reef is protected, and if you see coral for sale in gift shops, it will have been imported from other countries that have reefs but apparently don't care about protecting them.
Sea Turtles are a common sight in the Florida Keys
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:
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.
