As many as 800,000 divers travel to the Florida Keys each year to discover the wonder and beauty of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, whose waters surround the island chain. Here, Keys dive pros offer tips for safe, successful and memorable dive experiences — and suggestions about giving back to the marine environment.
A determined young Florida Keys “resident” is participating in the Tour de Turtles, the sea turtle equivalent of television’s “The Amazing Race.” Her name is Roseleigh, and she’s a juvenile green sea turtle who was found off Islamorada with a debilitating disease — and recovered after receiving in-depth care at the Keys’ Turtle Hospital.
The Middle Keys’ Marathon is an easygoing, laid-back area for family and couples’ vacations that include sun, fun and nature exploration. From snorkeling a shallow reef to strolling the Old Seven Mile Bridge, options abound that enable individuals, couples, families and friends to dedicate time to the pursuit of relaxation and personal renewal.
Key Largo, the northernmost island in the Florida Keys, offers a friendly, welcoming vibe and vast natural beauty both on land and underwater. Known as the Diving Capital of the World, the area includes many extraordinary sites where divers and snorkelers can immerse themselves in the profound, quiet wonders of the marine ecosystem.
For those who can’t travel to the Florida Keys this spring for the amazing diving, the island chain’s enthralling subsea world can be explored through the free streaming channel and app, FloridaKeysTV. It features hours of quality underwater programming — including the Keys-focused “Destination Dive” series — to inspire ideas for an upcoming visit.