Page 376 - Visitor Guides

KEYLARGO

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Key Largo has had a long history of marine Islamorada, long recognized as the “Sport

conservation. Beginning in 1960 with the Fishing Capital of the World”,is now an icon

creation of the nation’s first undersea among sport divers for much the same reason, a
preserve, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State massive population of tropical marine life. High

Park, and then with the designation of the Key profile coral heads and broad ledges shelter

Largo National Marine Sanctuary in 1975, huge congregates of French grunt and goatfish,

Key Largo has been protected from while regal queen angelfish casually graze amid

spearfishing and coral collection for four the reef recesses. Friendly green moray eels

decades. Now, as an integral portion of the swim freely along the spur-and-groove
· THE EAGLE - This 287-foot ship was
2800 square nautical mile Florida Keys intentionally sunk in 110 feet of water as a channels, and reclusive nurse sharks lurk

National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo · STATUE OF CHRIST OF THE ABYSS - This famed dive attraction and rests on her starboard side beneath the overhangs. Islamorada offers a
cloaked in a colorful patina of encrusting
bronze statue of Christ is found amid a coral reef sponge and coral, populated by huge schools
features six unique Sanctuary Preservation in just 25 feet of water, its outstretched arms of grunt, tarpon, and jack. wide variety of shallow coral reefs, mini walls,
beckoning divers and snorkelers to experience a · DAVIS REEF - This reef is revered for its
Areas (SPAs) where even hook and line fishing shipwrecks, and even an underwater habitat for
rare and wonderful world of beauty. incredible concentration of grunts and
is prohibited. Nowhere on earth has more schoolmaster snapper, as well as several scientific research, the Aquarius.
· MOLASSES REEF - High profile coral heads and amiable resident green morays, long
friendly fish than Key Largo, creating an massive congregates of tropical marine life define accustomed to benign interaction with the To learn more about Islamorada or any other
divemasters.
this popular reef.
a b s o l u t e · ALLIGATOR REEF - Now marked by a 136-foot manner of local lore, stop by the Chamber
· BENWOOD WRECK - A casualty of World War II, tall lighthouse, on this spot in 1822 the USS
paradise for underwater photographers! Formore this shipwreck is now home to huge schools of Alligator grounded and sank while protecting a of Commerce at mile marker 82.5. Visit our
convoy from pirates. Now all that remains of
grunt and porkfish. the wreck are the twin piles of ballast stones,
information on Key Largo, visit the Chamber of but the coral reef in just 25 feet of water is web site: fla-keys.com/islamorada, e-mail:
· THE ELBOW - This reef offers several historic vibrant and alive.
Commerce at mile marker 106. Visit our web site: shipwrecks, as well as the thrill of face-to-face info @islamoradachamber.com or dial
encounters with friendly moray eels and barracuda. · CONCH WALL - Offering an exciting change of
fla-keys.com/keylargo, e-mail: klchamber @aol.com, pace from the normal spur-and-groove profiles 1-800-322-5397.
· BIBB AND DUANE - These twin 327-foot U.S. Coast of most Keys’ reefs, Conch Wall presents a
precipitous sloping wall and captivating
or simply call 1-800-822-1088.
Guard cutters were sunk intentionally as dive concentrations of barrel sponge and gorgonia
attractions in 1987 and now are virtually cloaked punctuating the seafloor.
in colorful coral and gorgonia. · CROCKER WALL - A 450+ foot-long wall in 50
feet of water. The wall has a thirty foot decline
· SPIEGEL GROVE - This 510-foot military vessel and features grunts, yellow tail and grouper with
is the newest addition to the already impressive spur-and-groovecoralandblackcoralonthewall.
Key Largo shipwreck portfolio. · PICKLES REEF - For macro photo enthusiasts,
Pickles provides a wonderful opportunity to
encounter the reef’s minutia, from flamingo
tongue cowries to banded coral shrimp, all amid a
dynamic coral reef in only 15 to 25 feet of water.