Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys
From Key Largo to Key West the Florida keys span a hundred and ten miles and are a tropical wonderland and Scuba divers paradise you possibly can visit with out ever having to leave the United States.
The Florida Keys is the third largest barrier reef on the planet, and the only dwelling coral reef within the United States. Starting with John Pennekamp State Park in the upper keys, down on by means of Islamorada and into Key West, the Florida Keys supply a few of the greatest Scuba Diving websites and experiences in the world. The primary Key, Key Largo has been known as the Scuba Diving Capital of the World, and with good reason. Here you'll discover John Pennekamp State Park, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - a 2800 square mile protected sanctuary for coral and dozens of aquatic creatures. The Sanctuary is divided up into six distinct dive sites, every with its own particular attraction to scuba divers.
The Stature of Christ Abyss - a 9-Foot Stature resting just below the surface nestled among coral formations
The Speigle Grove - a 500 Ft Vessel, deliberately sunk in 2002
Molasses Reef- a well-liked coral reef, brimming with sea life
Benwood Wreck - A casualty of World War II, This shipwreck is now residence to huge schools of grunt and porkfish and is an effective shallow wreck for all ranges of divers.
The Elbow - One other fashionable space reef, it options several historic shipwrecks, as well as the thrill of getting up near curious and pleasant moray eels and barracuda.
Bibb and Duane - These twin 327-foot US Coast Guard cutters were sunk deliberately a few quarter mile aside in about one hundred twenty ft of water to be dive points of interest in 1987 and now are virtually cloaked in colorful coral and huge schools of Barracudas might be generally seen around the wreck.
Next on our Scuba tour of the Florida Keys we come to Islamorada. Known extra for its sport fishing then diving, Islamorada, like the entire keys nonetheless abounds with some great dive sites and views of marine life. The perfect-identified dive site in Islamorada is Alligator Reef, don't worry it is named for a ship that went aground there within the 1800's not the predatory reptile. The half-mile long reef system is house to exhausting and comfortable corals, sponges and plenty of species of tropical fish, and might be loved by snorklers and newbie scuba divers. The unusually named Hens and Chickens Reef is a popular dive location with scuba diver from all around the world. This patch reef comprises big coral heads that create caves and holes that usually rise from the ocean flooring very near the water's surface, allowing even snorklers to discover them. Below water photographers call Davis Reef in Islamorada essentially the most picturesque reef in the entire Keys. Persevering with South, Marathon and Massive Pine Key additionally sport some wonderful and numerous dive sites till we arrive at what some consider is one of the best Scuba Diving on this planet - Key West.
Key West gives recreational scuba divers something and all the pieces they imagined Scuba to be when getting certified. Divers discover one of the best place for an adventure in Key West is Sand Key Lighthouse Reef. This ten-mile reef system has several species of coral formations at various depths, making it interesting to snorklers and divers of all talent levels. Cavern and Cave divers will love Ten Fathom Ledge with its caves and dramatic overhangs that present shelter for all kinds of marine life, together with lobsters and grouper. For wreck divers whereas the world famous Atocha is off limits to visiting divers you possibly can dive in a few of the identical waters as this superb treasure discover on a number of other wrecks.
The Florida Keys simply have a lot to offer the underwater explorer. Hundreds of species of tropical fish and other marine life frolic among the coral reefs and wrecks for your scuba diving pleasure. Most dive websites are a short boat experience from the shores of the islands and there are dozens of extremely professional dive operators who make the keys their home who're ready to make any dive journey to the Florida Keys unforgettable