Page 1311 - Dive the Seas and More-2
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and snorkelers, or viewed from a glass SNORKELING AND SCUBA DIVING
bottom boat. Visitors also enjoy the sea SITES DESCRIPTIONS FROM SIDE
life at a 30,000-gallon coral reef ONE OF FRANKO’S GUIDE MAP OF
aquarium. Above the water, you can hike THE FLORIDA KEYS:
the trails through the mangrove, sun
yourself at a lovely beach, or marvel at the TRIUMPH REEF to 130' Some coral
eco-system aboard a rented kayak or heads are only eight feet deep, making this
canoe. Located at MM 102.5 (102601 a snorkelable location. Visibility can be
Overseas Hwy) in Key Largo. astounding.
LONG REEF to 60' Int. A two-mile-long
FLORIDA BAY This shallow bay is reef with several wrecks including the
called the "waterspout capital of the Lugana, the Alicia, and the Mandalay.
world" because the area has hundreds of Every reef fish from tiny damselfish to big
waterspouts (over-water tornadoes) per parrotfish are found here.
year, mostly in May through October.
The area of the bay is nearly 1,000 square ALMIRANTE to 135' This small, 210-
miles, mostly within Everglades National foot freighter was intentionally sunk in
Park. 1974, and sits upright on a sandy bottom.
FLAGLER'S BARGE Henry Flagler Tons of fish. Excellent visibility.
(1830 to 1913) was once a partner with
John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil, and AJAX REEF to 200' A fabulous diverse
built the Florida East Coast Railway in the reef, suitable for all experience levels.
late 19th century. He extended the Ajax Reef is part of Long Reef.
railway to Key West in the early 20th
century. The exact origin of Flagler's CONCH WALL to 90' Adv. Reef forms
Barge is unknown, but it probably carried a 30-foot vertical wall that is covered with
materials and supplies during repair work sea fans and barrel sponges. A great drift
on Flagler's railway in the 1930's. dive. Angelfish, parrotfish, wrasses,
groupers, and permits are common.
GENERAL H.S. VANDENBERG Sunk
7 miles off Key West on May 27, 2009 to CONCH REEF to 60' Int. Home of the
create a new artificial reef. She measures Aquarius Underwater Laboratory. Stay
523' long, 73' beam, and a 24' draft. When outside the area marked by the yellow
operating, she was a 17,120-ton vessel. buoys. Gorgonians, barrel sponges,
Vandenberg is 100' high from keel to hogfish, snapper, and hawksbill turtles are
highest structure, which is 40' below the common. Interesting snorkeling.
ocean surface. Most of her superstructure
is approx. 50' deep. LITTLE CONCH REEF to 25' Beg.
Consists mostly of patch reef spread out
