Best Dive Sites to Explore While Your 2015 Florida Keys Vacation
Florida Keys is one of the most famous vacation destinations in the United States. It is even known worldwide for its stunning nature and holiday resorts like Marathon, Islamorada, Key West and Key Largo. In addition it is recognized for unique dive sites that offer memorable experiences for all divers.
Florida Keys consists of many islands that stretch about 120 miles south of mainland Florida. Most American tourists refer to this region as “America’s Caribbean”. Flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, these islands of Florida were frequented in the past by the pirates. Therefore, in the region can be found shipwrecks dating from those times. Furthermore, Florida Keys is home to coral reefs that live only in this region of the United States. Due to the huge surface occupied by Keys can be found many amazing underwater places to explore and is therefore very difficult to recommend just 10 scuba diving sites that you visit during your 2015 summer vacation in Florida Keys.
1 — To the best diving sites in Florida Keys certainly belongs The Benwood, located in one of the most visited vacation spots in the area. Shallow waters offer great opportunities for exploration of the sunken vessel that collided with an oil tanker in 1942. Today the wreck hosts a large number of fish like barracuda and parrotfish . Benwood lies on a sandy slope at depths ranging from 25 feet to 45 feet in an area located off Key Largo between Dixie Shoals to the north and French Reef to the south.
2 — All reefs that are home to coral formations should be included in the list of the best dive sites visited during the 2015 summer vacation in Florida Keys. Carysfort Reef consists of exceptional pristine coral reefs. Because the place is located at a greater distance from the main tourist destinations in Florida marine flora and fauna are well preserved in their natural habitat.
Carysfort Reef is located east of Key Largo in the Carysfort Reef Light area, which is the oldest lighthouse in operation in the United States. Divers who are planning a vacation in Florida Keys are informed that this small area contains one of the most-developed reef systems in the state.
3 — Duane is another great location for diving in this region. It was a ship that was sunk deliberately in 1987 to become an artificial reef and conserve marine life of the region. The place is located at a depth of about 90 feet but very picturesque underwater pictures can be admired in shallow water if divers shone a powerful flashlight to the wreck. Many scuba divers consider Duane as the best location to explore shipwrecks in the United States. Apart from the wreck, divers can see in almost every area of reef fish species living in the Key Largo area. In addition, there can be spotted various pelagic species such as bull sharks and even whale sharks.
4 — Through the best diving sites in Florida Keys should also be included Christ of the Deep statue located in Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and well-known to all divers who come to explore the area. Donate by John Pennekamp in 1966, this spectacular monument of 9 feet made of bronze is easily accessible so it is recommended to beginner divers and even those who snorkel. The statue is situated on a depth of 25 foot near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo on a shallow reef.
5 — Elbow Reef is another scuba diving location in Florida that offers visitors the natural beauty and an adventurous experience at one of the many old shipwrecks that are there. Due to the abundance of shipwrecks the place is also known as “reef wrecks”. The most famous attraction of Elbow Reef is a wreck called City of Washington which today houses a lot of moray eels. It is also the most intact vessel in the reef and sank in 1911. Due to shallow water the place is also recommended for snorkeling.
Two other valuable shipwrecks to explore during the dive on Elbow Reef are Mike’s Wreck (Hannah M. Bell Shipwreck) and The Civil War Wreck.
6 — Snapper Ledge is another mandatory place to visit among diving locations in the Florida Keys during your summer vacation in 2015. Home to countless species of yellow snapper, the shallow reef is often hidden under a “veil” of fish, so you can imagine what photography opportunities are waiting there. Snapper Ledge is known as a gathering place for groupers and snappers, as well as a rest area for nurse sharks. A few species of eels are also often seen in the area, as well as butter hamlet, hog snappers, goat fish, trunk fish, hawk fish, rays, octopus, lobster, crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, and anemones.
7 — The French Reef offers the opportunity to explore some of the natural caves and tunnels in Florida Keys such as Christmas Tree Cave and Hourglass Cave. The place is included in French Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area and hosts healthy and well-preserved elkhorn coral. The sea water is generally clear so French Reef is a great place for underwater photography. It is recommended to novice divers because it is easily accessible and offers exciting experiences in a safe environment.
8 — Another fantastic scuba diving place in Florida is Molasses Reef. Some people say that Molasses Reef is probably the most beautiful collection of reefs in the Florida Keys and even the state. In fact it is a large complex of reefs with depths ranging from 10 feet to about 70 feet. The main attractions of the area are Fire Coral Caves, Spanish Anchor Winch Hole, Hole in the Wall and others. Visibility is usually very good so that those who snorkel can easily explore the area filled with elkhorn coral. Because of its beauty, Molasses Reef is one of the most visited dive sites in the Florida Keys and possibly the United States.
9 — From the list of the best places to dive in Florida Keys can not miss USS Spiegel Grove. This is the wreck of a 510-feet ship sunk intentionally to become a coral reef and host of deep-sea creatures. The location and wreck exploration are recommended to divers with greater experience as ocean current is strong and variable. USS Spiegel Grove is located at a depth of 80 feet and attracts various forms of marine life.
10 — Islamorada Islands offer exceptional diving adventures and therefore the spot is a well-known vacation destination in Florida. In the area there are six islands on which lies a village known as the “sportfishing capital of the world”. Around Islamorada Islands are many great places to dive out of which the best known are The Eagle wreck, Conch Reef and Crocker Reef.
In addition to the 10 dive sites listed in this article, Florida Keys has many other wonderful places for snorkeling and deep-sea diving. Therefore it is no surprise that the southernmost region in the state is greatly appreciated by divers from the United States. Many of these book vacation packages in Marathon, Key West and Key Largo. These are the main destinations that offer accommodation in the area, local restaurants and many leisure possibilities.
We hope that by describing several of the best places for scuba diving in the Florida Keys we have woken up your interest to spend the summer vacation in 2015 in this area and explore some or all of them.
The original article can be read on 10 of The Best Dive Sites in The Florida Keys to Explore. Videos with the mentioned diving sites available.
