| Florida Keys Diving | ||
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 VandenbergThe Vandenberg Artificial Reef is the newest spot to dive, although the longer you wait to dive this incredible sunken ship, the more marine life you’re apt to see. Sunk May 2009, this 522 foot former Navy transport ship from World War II features large satellite dishes that come up to within 50 feet of [...] |
 Fort Jefferson National MonumentFort Jefferson National Monument The main coral reef that starts in Biscayne National Park ends at the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson National Monument is the park that protects this western area of the reef, as well as the historic fort and the tiny islands inside the park. Fort Jefferson National Monument is accessible only by [...] |
Marquesas KeysMarquesas Keys Marquis de Cadierata, who might be famous for having commanded a fleet of ships in the 1600s that included the Atocha, gave his name to the Marquesas Keys. Several wrecks occurred at that time, in the 1620s, under his command. Mel Fisher discovered the Atocha in 1985 with much fanfare and many many [...] |
Cottrell KeyCottrell Key Cottrell Key is also on the Gulf of Mexico side, and on the way to Alexandar’s Wreck. It’s a popular spot for snorkeling catamarans on windy days, since it’s on the Gulf side and pretty shallow. It’s protected by mangrove islands and grassy flats on one side. There are visible and easy to [...] |
Alexander’s WreckAlexander’s Wreck Alexander’s Wreck is really the USS Amesbury, a steel-hull vessel sunk in 25 feet of water. The top of the wreck sticks out of the surface and the deepest part is in 40 feet of water. She broke in half shortly after runnign aground here while being towed out to deeper waters to [...] |
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The Vandenberg Artificial Reef is the newest spot to dive, although the longer you wait to dive this incredible sunken ship, the more marine life you’re apt to see. Sunk May 2009, this 522 foot former Navy transport ship from World War II features large satellite dishes that come up to within 50 feet of [...]
Fort Jefferson National Monument
Fort Jefferson National Monument The main coral reef that starts in Biscayne National Park ends at the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson National Monument is the park that protects this western area of the reef, as well as the historic fort and the tiny islands inside the park. Fort Jefferson National Monument is accessible only by [...]
Marquesas Keys Marquis de Cadierata, who might be famous for having commanded a fleet of ships in the 1600s that included the Atocha, gave his name to the Marquesas Keys. Several wrecks occurred at that time, in the 1620s, under his command. Mel Fisher discovered the Atocha in 1985 with much fanfare and many many [...]
Cottrell Key Cottrell Key is also on the Gulf of Mexico side, and on the way to Alexandar’s Wreck. It’s a popular spot for snorkeling catamarans on windy days, since it’s on the Gulf side and pretty shallow. It’s protected by mangrove islands and grassy flats on one side. There are visible and easy to [...]
Alexander’s Wreck Alexander’s Wreck is really the USS Amesbury, a steel-hull vessel sunk in 25 feet of water. The top of the wreck sticks out of the surface and the deepest part is in 40 feet of water. She broke in half shortly after runnign aground here while being towed out to deeper waters to [...]
Western Dry Rocks Western Dry Rocks is a wonderful area for novice divers. It’s not within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA), however, and there are often charter fishing boats trolling over the area in the afternoon. There are nice rock alleys with soft corals all over them, which are fun to swim through. Western Dry [...]
Sand Key Sand Key is probably the most popular snorekling spot in Key West. The major snorkeling companies take their guests here almost daily. And for good reason: it’s shallow, the water is clear because of the shallowness, and it’s a short six miles from Key West. The diversity of coral and other marine life [...]
Stargazer Stargazer is not really a dive site: it’s a piece of art placed under water. The metal structure wasn’t designed for maximum coral accumulation, although the table top -like flat pieces are covered and there is a resident Goliath Grouper. Stargazer is placed on a desert of white sand between Sand Key and Rock [...]
Rock Key Located one mile east of the Sand Key lighthouse on the reef in Key West, Rock Key is a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) marked by mooring balls. It’s very shallow, and you can see the waves crashing over the rocks here. On windy days, snorkeling tours will often take their guests to Rock [...]
Eastern Dry Rocks Eastern Dry Rocks is mostly inside a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) but some of the areas just outside the boundaries are good for lobstering. Depths range from 14 to 30 feet, and it’s considered a Novice dive. The entire Eastern Dry Rocks area is wonderful – coral fields, rocks, crevices, alleys, and [...]