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?
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 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.
Is Florida Keys good for scuba diving? – Related Questions
Are there saltwater alligators in Key West?
American Alligators are very rare in the Keys since they do not like high salinity water. They are generally limited to the few islands here with permanent freshwater lakes such as Big Pine Key where the fresh/brackish water blue hole is, but our canals and beaches are too salty for them.
Which Florida Key has the clearest water?
Dry Tortugas National Park is located approximately 67 miles west of Key West. What is this? The remote islands are a bit difficult to reach, and the trip is expensive unless you visit by private boat. But, the Dry Tortugas have the clearest water in Florida, by far.
Why are there no beaches in the 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!
What is the cheapest time to go to Key West?
The fall (September–November) is the low season in Key West, and room rates can drop by 50 percent or more. The hot, storm-prone summer months also see lower prices, and you’ll find decent discounts in April and May after the winter crowds thin out.
Is Key Largo good for scuba diving?
Key Largo is a dream dive destination where well-preserved natural coral reefs lie only a few miles from the shore – shallow reefs for snorkelers and deeper coral-encrusted wrecks for experienced divers. A perfect paradise for both divers and snorkelers.
How good is diving in Key Largo?
The waters of Key Largo are filled with various types of coral, marine life, and many other surprises. Water visibility is generally really good. Average visibility ranges from 40-100+ feet. Reef dives are generally 30-50 feet deep while wreck dives are 70-130+ feet.
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 Key West a good place to dive?
The Oceanside of the Key slopes gradually down to about 65 feet in most places. The variety of depths, excellent snorkeling and diving, dry sand bar feature, and marine life like Barracuda, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks, and Sea Turtles make Sand Key one of the most popular Key West scuba diving sites.
Are sharks a problem in Key West?
It’s no guarantee that you’ll spot a shark while snorkeling in Key West, but it happens more than you might think. We see sharks at the reef at least once a week, and probably more often than that!
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.
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.
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.
How deep is it at the reef in the Keys?
In the Florida Keys, much reef diving is shallow, easy diving. Ocean depths from the shoreline to the reef rarely reach 20 feet. The reef lives in waters as shallow as five feet and as deep as 50 feet. Most Keys reef divers log a maximum depth of 20 to 30 feet.
What year will the Keys be underwater?
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.