The Florida Keys is home to the United States’ only living coral barrier reef, making it an ideal scuba diving destination. From pristine, shallow coral reefs to epic wreck dives, the Keys offers something for every level of diver.
Which Florida key is best for scuba diving?
Key Largo dubs itself the “Dive Capital of the World“, and yes, it is home to some of the most renown dive sites in the Florida Keys. It is also where John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located, the country’s first undersea park. It includes approximately 70 nautical square miles of adjacent Atlantic Ocean waters.
What is the best time to scuba dive in the Florida Keys?
When to Go. The Keys are essentially open for diving year-round, however the winter season does bring with it lower water temperatures — they range from the mid 70s to the mid 80s throughout the year — plus choppier seas and the possibility of lower visibility.
Is Key West a good place to scuba dive?
Key West is blessed with abundant coral and marine life which offers snorkelers and divers a world-class experience. On local reefs, the grouper and barracuda prowl the gullies and coral fingers, and the outer ledges drop to more than 18 meters/60 feet.
Is Florida Keys good for scuba diving? – Related Questions
Do you need a wetsuit to dive in Florida Keys?
Exposure Suit – You’ll want to wear a full wetsuit in winter, and at least a skin or shorty the rest of the year. The temps are typical for this part of the Caribbean: mid- 70Fs in winter, mid 80Fs in summer. The exposure suit you decide to pack depends on the season and your susceptibility to the cold.
Is it better to go diving in Key Largo or Key West?
When it comes to snorkeling and diving, Key West has some great diving, but the snorkeling and diving around Key Largo surpass the opportunities around the southernmost Key by far. The reefs around both islands are incredibly healthy, beautiful, and mostly easy to access.
How deep is the ocean at Key West?
The harbor is entered through breaks in the reef by several principal channels with depths of 13 to 34 feet, and by several minor channels. Key West, on the island of the same name near the western end of the Florida Keys, is a winter resort.
Will Key West ever be underwater?
Key West, Florida
Experts are estimating that parts of Key West will be underwater by 2040, and the money it would cost to prepare for this is in the billions.
How warm is the water in Key West?
Average annual water temperature on the coast in Key West is 79°F, by the seasons: in winter 72°F, in spring 78°F, in summer 85°F, in autumn 81°F. Minimum water temperature (68°F) in Key West it happens in January, maximum (89°F) in August.
Can you swim in the ocean at Key West?
Yes, Key West has several swimmable beaches. The island is located in the Florida Keys, which is known for its clear blue waters. Some of the best beaches for swimming include Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. What is this?
Why is there no beach in Key West?
The lack of soft, white sand shoreline in Key West is the result of a beautiful live coral reef that extends from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas National Park. The coral reef prevents natural beach formation because the waves don’t crash onshore as you might see in Miami beach.
Do you have to worry about sharks in the Key West?
In Key West, there has never been a fatal shark attack, and there’s only been one incident reported in the record books since the 1800s. For those who like statistics, you’re 45,000 times more likely to die from a car accident than from a shark attack.
Where is the clearest water in the Florida Keys?
Fort Zachary Taylor Park Beach, Key West
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a National Historic Landmark that offers some of the clearest blue waters for snorkeling and diving in Key West.
Why are there no beaches in the Florida Keys?
The Keys don’t have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore. So while the beaches aren’t what make the Keys special, there are still some pretty special beaches in the Keys.
What is the prettiest Key in the Florida Keys?
While Key Largo is undoubtedly the prettiest of all the Florida Keys, it’s also one that’s home to plenty of activities for the avid beachgoer. With scenic views like this, it would be tough not to fall in love with such a beachside beauty!
Why are there no waves in the Keys?
Key West , like the rest of the Florida Keys is not known as a ‘beach destination’ There is a good reason for this: America’s only living coral reef (and the world’s third longest barrier reef). The barrier reef does it’s job of protecting the Florida Keys from large ocean waves.
What Year Will Florida Keys be underwater?
Sea level rise projections from the Interagency Sea Level Rise Scenario Tool (published by NASA’s Sea Level Change Team) indicate that Key West could experience between 0.45 and 2.16 meters (1 and 7 feet) of sea level rise by 2100.