Scuba Diving Destinations in the Florida Keys
Florida has long been known as one of the best places to scuba dive. The Florida Keys has several scuba diving destinations that can hold their own against anyplace else in the world. With numerous ship wrecks, coral reefs and calm clear water the Keys are hard place to beat when it comes to scuba diving.
The Keys can be split in three sections. The upper Keys, middle Keys and Lower Key. Each with its unique dive opportunities. Easy to reach by flying in to Miami or Fort Laudable diving in the Keys make a great dive vacation destination. From Miami you can be at the start of the Keys in about three hours. The Keys may not be a difficult location to travel to with you own scuba diving equipment but you can rent anything you need at most dive shops.
The upper Keys begin in Key Largo, travel through Tavernier and include Islamorada. All with dive shops that have been in business for years and easy to find. The Keys has a unique system to find business based on route one mile markers. The only other thing you would need to know is if it is on the bay side or the Atlantic side.
Known for being the best place to scuba dive in the world, Key Largo has plenty to offer including John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. If you are looking for lodging that includes a dive package you should check out the Marriott Key Largo Beach Bay Resort. In addition to scuba diving this is a great resort that offers parasailing, wave runners, kayaks, fitness and spa facilities.
Traveling route one south of Islamorada until the seven mile bridge is considered the middle keys. The biggest town in called Marathon and does have an airport if you want to get down to the keys in a hurry but most enjoy the drive. At mile maker 61 you will find Duck Key, famous for Hawk's Cay Resort.
Offering daily dives to the wrecks and reefs around the resort the location and resort are hard to beat. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced diver looking for a night dive or want to get you certification you can find it all here. Kid's courses are also available. Before you leave the resort you should check their swim with dolphins program.
The other side of the bridge from Big Pine key to south to Key West is known as the lower Keys. If you have gone this far changes are you are heading to Key West. When you get there you will not be disappointed are have a dull time, below or above the water.
One of the premier dive shops in the lower Keys is Dive Key West Inc. They have been doing this for 37 years and really got it down. Offering scuba diving destinations and snorkeling in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary they offer reef dives, night dives and wreck dives. One of the wreck dives, the Vandenberg, is over 520 feet long and is the second largest artificial reef in the world.
While the weather in the Keys is not usually an issue you should be careful about booking trips in advance during Florida's hurricane season. Hotel rates are usually cheaper they but you are taking a chance that you may not get you vacation in. Other than that I can't think of a bad time to be in the Keys.
More great scuba diving destinations can be found at http://www.Best-Scuba-Online.com
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