TRAVEL continued
Drive to Islamorada ▪ Day 4-5: Dive Islamorada’s reefs, including Nurse Shark ▪ City and Crocker’s Ledge Drive to Marathon ▪ Day 6-7: Dive Sombrero Lighthouse Reef ▪
months, cold fronts occasionally approach from the north and drop air temperatures into the 60s and the water tem- peratures can drop into the high 60s.
What are some of the diving highlights? The keys are known for having some of the fishiest reefs. Dive sites off Islamorada in the north and Big Pine Key and Marathon in the middle keys often boast of large schools of snapper, grunts and other reef fish. Some of the reefs have become iconic over the years, such as Molasses Reef near Key Largo, Som- brero Lighthouse Reef near Marathon and Looe Key near Big Pine Key.
Christ of the Abyss Statue in Key Largo
and the Thunderbolt shipwreck or explore the wreck of the Adolphus Busch and the Looe Key Sanctuary off Big Pine Key. Drive to Key West ▪ Day 8-9: Dive Key West’s reefs and the ▪ wreck of the Vandenburg Drive back to Miami ▪ Day 10 Fly home ▪ The itineraries for the Florida Keys can be very malleable: for instance, you could choose to start in Key West and work north or extend days in some places or add other islands. Logistics Ideal group size: 1–10 keeps rental vehicle ▪ logistics to a minimum.
There are ample opportunities to explore some of the best shipwrecks in the world throughout the keys. Some are purposefully sunk as part of Florida’s artificial reef program and others occurred because of tragedy. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary encompasses the islands of the keys and ensures protection for the marine environment. Sample Itinerary with Desired Dive Sites Day 1: If flying, fly/meet in Miami. Arrange rental vehi- ▪ cles or shared vans and drive to Key Largo Day 2-3: Dive Key Largo’s shipwrecks, including the ▪ Spiegel Grove , the Bibb and Duane
Lead time: Minimal. With plenty of dive shops and dive ▪ boats operating throughout the islands, lead time is not much of an issue. Arranging boat space ahead of time en- sures access to the desired dive sites however. A wide variety of accommodations are available through- ▪ out the keys.
PAGE THIRTY-SEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker