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Keys Reefs … Carlos Estape Learn to Dive in the Florida Keys

he Florida Keys, a 126-mile island recreational scuba Stephen Frink
chain located parallel to the divers, eligible to rent
Tcontinental United States’ only dive gear and book
living coral reef, offer perfect teaching dive trips to depths of
grounds to learn new skills or perfect about 60 feet with most
abilities as a scuba diver, providing a operations worldwide.
lifetime of fun, adventure and memories. At-home online
Learning options range from learning through
introductory one-day experiences, full computer programs
certification and various specialties to enables students to
professional diving career opportunities, complete classroom
all with personalized training. Here are work required, then Successful completion of pool-based classes leads to open-water
some basic facts. schedule time in the training and certification for scuba divers.
Who can learn to dive? Scuba diving Keys to obtain certifications. advantage of the Florida Keys over any
is a sport, an investment in adventure Refresher courses review diving other U.S. destination is year-round
that any healthy and active individual as knowledge and water skills for tropical weather and clear, warm seas
young as age 10 can enjoy. occasional divers. Dozens of specialty to practice skin diving and scuba skills

Blue-striped grunts gather at … Abundant and Diverse What classes are available? The courses include navigation, night diving, virtually any day of the year. Training
Florida Keys have it all. Entry-level,
wreck diving, digital photography, coral
conditions are nice and easy, with light
Snapper Ledge off Key Largo.
“open-water” certification involves three reef conservation and professional currents and great underwater visibility.
he Florida Keys boast an unparalleled variety of marine green moray eels on a single trip to the reef. to five days of training and classroom career training as a dive instructor. Why dive the Keys? Ocean depths
life, abundance of fish species and consistently clear, The Keys have a tradition of preserving marine life. With work covering concepts such as basic Where do students receive their dive from the shoreline to the reef rarely
Twarm waters to suit virtually every diver. divers and snorkelers educated in reef responsibility, every- physics and physiology, ocean waves, training? Some of the first businesses reach 20 feet. The reef lives in waters
As well as their accessibility, the Keys’ diversity sets them one involved benefits, and the coral reef can remain the Keys’ marine life, monitoring dive time and offering recreational dive training in as shallow as five feet and as deep
apart as one of the world’s most popular dive destinations. greatest environmental treasure for generations to come. depth, followed by pool and open-water America were opened in the Keys. as 50 feet, but most reef divers log a
Harboring the only living coral reef in the continental United dives at the reef. You’ll also learn about Dozens of dive shops, staffed with maximum depth of 20 to 30 feet. Keys
States, these small islands are largely devoted to maintaining Keys Traveler navigation around natural formations. working professionals, actively teach shallow diving offers two immediate
the region’s offshore environment — a focus of conservation The Florida Keys Upon passing a knowledge test and train each day, not just intermittently benefits: longer time safely spent on the
Dive Edition
efforts for more than a generation. & Key West Editor: Andy Newman; Managing and completing the required number or seasonally. bottom exploring and brighter and more
Keys conservation efforts began in 1960 when widespread Editors: Julie Botteri and Carol of dives, students become certified When are classes offered? A primary vibrant colors because more natural
public support laid the foundation for John Pennekamp Coral Shaughnessy; Copy Editor: Buck Banks Keys Famous for Quirky Underwater Fun sunlight reaches shallow depths.
Reef State Park at Key Largo, named for a Miami newspaper twitter.com/ “Keys Traveler” is published and ©2013 Keys Feature Blue Star
editor who championed local environmental preservation. thefloridakeys by the Monroe County Tourist Development he Florida Keys are the Underwater Easter Program for Operators
The undersea park’s waters are adjacent to the Florida Keys Council, the official visitor marketing agency noted for offbeat Bob Care Egg Hunt and diver
National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1990 as a marine youtube.com/user for the Florida Keys & Key West. Director: Tcelebrations and propulsion vehicle racing lue Star–recognized dive
Harold Wheeler; Sales Director: Stacey
preserve. Today the sanctuary comprises 2,900 square nauti- /FloridaKeysTV Mitchell; Dive Market Sales Manager: quirky marine activities at the annual Vandenberg charterers are dedicated to coral
cal miles of coastal waters along the island chain from north- Yves Vrielynck; Keys Dive Umbrella: CeCe that also carry messages Underwater Grand Prix. Breef education and conservation.
ernmost Key Largo south to the Dry Tortugas. Roycraft, Kim Roney, Tom Timmerman, Amy of reef preservation and On a more serious The voluntary recognition program
Marine conservation efforts include the establishment of keysvoices.com Slate and MaryAnne Rockett diver awareness. note, the continental established by the Florida Keys National
Sanctuary Preservation Areas, no-take zones that have allowed For the free monthly What’s This? The Lower Keys United States’ only living Marine Sanctuary promotes responsible
“Keys Traveler”
fish and crustacean populations to grow and thrive. electronic newsletter, You’ll find this QR code Underwater Music Festival coral barrier reef offers tourism, teaching divers
subscribe at
Iconic blue-striped grunts are typically seen in large numbers fla-keys.com/ accompanying several is held each July at Looe wedding parties and and snorkelers in-water
around protective elkhorn and high-profile coral heads, as well keystraveler stories in this issue of “Keys Key reef, in the Florida guests an opportunity etiquette such as practicing
Traveler.” The QR codes can
as other Keys critters such as glass minnows, goatfish, gray Printed in the U.S.A. be scanned by most smart Keys National Marine to tie the knot with good buoyancy, careful
snappers, Atlantic spadefish, horse eye jacks, Bermuda chubs By Original Impressions phones. Activate the app, aim your smart phone Sanctuary six miles south exotic sea creatures in hand and fin placement, and avoiding
and sergeant majors. French and small-mouth grunts are at the bar code and you’ll be automatically taken of Big Pine Key. attendance, notably near contact with coral.
to a website or video for more information.
nearly as plentiful, and yellowtail snapper, a favorite of local For iPhones and iPads, QR readers can be Subsea challenges Divers pretend to play the welcoming arms of Blue Star–rated operators display a
“musical instruments” at the
anglers, cruise the reef in astonishing numbers. downloaded for free at the Apple App Store. include Key Largo’s Underwater Music Festival. the 9-foot-high “Christ of flag or decal with the Blue Star logo on
It is not unusual for divers and snorkelers to spot sea Cover photo of the Duane, now a 26-year-old Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, the Abyss” statue near Key Largo’s John their charter vessel.
turtles, stingrays, goliath groupers, nurse sharks or bright- shipwreck off Key Largo, by Stephen Frink “egg-sploring” for hidden eggs during Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. floridakeys.noaa.gov/onthewater

2 www.fla-keys.com/dive Keys Traveler Keys Traveler www.fla-keys.com/dive 3