Divers and snorkelers can explore part of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef Saturday, July 7, while rocking to a unique sub-sea concert (!) that promotes reef protection. It's called the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival, and it’s unlike any other dive or snorkel experience on the planet.
They’re everywhere: Key West history books, Conch cookbooks, descriptions of Cayo Hueso and life among its inhabitants. The island has been romanticized, glorified, insulted and libeled in print (sometimes all in the same piece of prose!). The author of the first book about Key West could never have known what a precedent he was setting.
The tropical weather, nearby Gulf Stream and 125-mile-long arc of islands that makes up the Florida Keys create a fishing environment that’s completely unique in the world. Get to know this diverse fishery with seven quick essentials.
Captain Finbar Gittelman, a roguish Florida Keys seafarer, bears a slightly unnerving resemblance to the fierce Barbossa from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Owner and master of the majestic Schooner Wolf, he’s also the venerable First Sea Lord and Supreme Commander of the Keys’ picturesque Conch Republic Navy. Yet despite his imposing titles, most people simply call him “Finbar."
Every day is an adventure in the Florida Keys, where the subtropical climate and scenic natural setting create the perfect backdrop for high-energy activities. Visitors can experience "only in the Keys" watersports and eco-adventures, unparalleled offshore diving, and organized sporting challenges to test skill and endurance — some with a little wackiness thrown in for added enjoyment.
The Florida Keys are known around the globe for their array of underwater adventures that can be enjoyed only in the island chain. For example, you can snorkel or dive on the continental United States’ only contiguous living coral barrier reef — which, naturally, makes the Keys a paradise for ocean enthusiasts.
Besides balmy year-round weather, endless blue water and a seriously laid-back vibe, in the Florida Keys you’ll find an enticing array of environmental, cultural and adventure activities that can’t be enjoyed anywhere EXCEPT in the island chain. Enliven your stay with some of the “only in the Keys” experiences outlined here.
Dragons will invade Marathon in June -- but they're far from the fire-breathing type feared in fairy tales. Marathon’s “Battle in the Bay” race features a fleet of sleek, graceful dragon-headed boats whose teams power them through the water in a breathtaking example of strength and teamwork.
By following the "10 Keymandments," travelers can have meaningful, memorable Florida Keys vacations while respecting and helping preserve the Keys' natural world. This amazing environment includes the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, which supports an incredibly diverse population of plants and animals.
There’s a woman living in Islamorada who’s likely the envy of sportsmen of all ages. Her name is Dianne Harbaugh — and as well as organizing several respected Florida Keys fishing tournaments each year, she's also a pilot, an expert angler, and the first woman in the world to land a blue marlin on fly.