Location: Key Largo to Key West, Florida
Activities: Boating, diving, fishing, water sports.
Dive Shops that we've used: (north to south)
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Key Largo
- Cap'n Slate's Atlantis Dive Center, Inc.: Mile Marker 106.5, Phone: 305-451-3020
Tavernier Key
- Conch Republic Divers Inc.: Mile Marker 90.3, Phone: 305-852-1655
- Tavernier Dive Center: Mile Marker 90.7, Phone: 305-852-4007
Duck Key
- Tilden's Scuba Center: Mile Marker 61, Phone 305-289-4931
Marathon Key
- Captain Hook's Marina & Dive Center: Mile Marker: 53, Phone: 305-743-2444
Big Pine Key
- Underseas Inc.: Mile Marker 30.5, Phone: 305-872-2700
Key West
- Subtropic Dive Center: MileMarker: 2, Phone: 305-296-9914
Area Hotels and camping that we've used: (north to south)
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Key Largo
- Howard Johnson Resort: Mile Marker 102, Phone: 305 451-1400
- Calusa Camp Resort: Phone: 305-451-0232
Tavernier Key
- Island Bay Resort: MileMarker: 92.5, Phone: 305-852-4087
- Big Pine Resort Motel: Mile Marker 30.5, Phone: 305-872-9090
Marathon Key
- Ramada Inn Marathon Florida Keys: 13351 Overseas Highway, Phone: 305-743-8550
Sugar Loaf Key
- KOA Resort Campground: Mile Marker 20, Phone: 1-800-562-7731
Key West
- Jabour's Camp & Lodge: 223 Elizabeth St., Key West, Phone:305-294-5723
- Key West Youth Hostel: 718 South Street, Key West, Phone: 305-296-5719
- Angelina Guest House 302 Angela Street, Phone: 305-294-4480
Recent History
In the early 1900's, travel between many of these islands was only possible by boat. A modern pioneer, Henry Morrison Flagler, claims responsibility for providing the first civilized access to the Keys. He dreamed of extending the Florida East Coast Railway from Homestead to Key West. His dream was realized in 1912, after years of extreme physical hardship for the engineers and laborers who designed and built it.
After the 1935 Labor Day hurricane destroyed the railroad, it was replaced by the Overseas Highway in 1938. The highway has since been widened and modernized. More than 40 bridges now connect these islands, like a Caribbean necklace, for more than 126 miles.
Though most of the Florida Keys remained remote and inaccessible until well into the 20th century, their history glitters with romantic tales of pirates, fortunes gleaned from unfortunate shipwrecks, brief heydays for several island cities, struggling pioneer farmers and occasional military occupation. It also holds its share of tragedy resulting from settlers' encounters with hostile Indians, yellow-fever-bearing mosquitoes, dangerous hurricanes and unpredictable seas.
Today:
Each island has its own special flavor. Key Largo is known as the "Diving Capital of the World" while Islamorada is called the "Sport Fishing Capital". Marathon, a more developed midpoint metropolis, is considered the "Heart of the Keys". Big Pine Key has tall evergreen trees and fresh water, making it the ideal home for the diminutive Key deer. And Key West is the oldest city and the "Southernmost", with eclectic architecture, and the most concentrated collection of art and artists, museums, theaters and writers.
As for scuba diving, you'll find the longest living reef in the western hemisphere; more than 500 wrecks to explore; the world's first underwater hotel, more dive shops per square mile than anywhere else in the world; and crystal clear waters with visibility up to 120 feet -- it's no wonder that divers from all over the world come to the Florida Keys. Diving is also varried from key to key. Some keys offer great shallow diving while others sport wreck dives at deeper depths. The average dive for the Florida Keys though is about 25 - 30'. That means plenty of bottom time and plenty of marine life to spot.
Snorkeling and diving the reef off the Keys is an unforgettable experience. Corals such as stag- and elkhorn, brain, tree and sea fans and more than 600 varieties of fish create a living landscape.
Wreck-diving has become increasing popular in recent years -- and for good reason. Artificial reefs provide excellent night dive sites and give the natural reef a much needed rest. Though many of the Keys wrecks are historically significant (e.g. Spanish galleons and Civil War wrecks), others have been created by citizens concerned about the survival of the natural reef.
Commercial dive operators require scuba certification cards and logbook to verify experience levels for the diver's safety. Scuba instruction at all levels from open water through instruction certification is available at many dive operations. Underwater photography skills are taught for still and video cameras and equipment can be rented or purchased. In fact, travel light and rent all your dive gear on location.
The enchantment of these tropical isles is accessible by land, sea or air. Airline travelers can disembark at Miami, Marathon or Key West.
