Diving in Crystal River

Explore the underwater world of the manatee in Crystal River Florida, the only place in the globe where you can interact with the endangered West Indian Manatee. This is a once in a lifetime time travel opportunity, where you can swim alongside these gentle giants as they play, eat, and socialize with one another. In winter months, swim with up to 350 different manatees experience incredible there is still a chance of spotting Manatees in the warmer Season, but they will be fewer in number, with cloudier water and therefore harder to find.

These trips are open to divers and non divers as most will just involve snorkelling as the use of scuba is restricted in some areas to protect the manatees. There are also a few No Entry Manatee refuges which boats, divers and swimmers are not allowed to enter so that the manatees can feel free to roam around. Featuring crystal-clear water, an average year-round temperature of 72 degrees (hot spring fed waters), underwater caverns, and a wide variety of wildlife such as tarpons, redfish, grouper, dolphins, and the West Indian Manatee, Crystal River is home to the best Florida diving around.

Diving sites in the Crystal River are calm with crystal clear water, an abundance of fish life and so are perfect for divers of all levels. Crystal River has more to it than just the huge congregation of Manatees, so during a trip here it is worth taking the time to explore the additional dive sites and the surrounding area.  This channel is also a frequent place to spot dolphins who hunt the smaller fish living here. All of this makes this destination a brilliant peaceful place for any nature lovers, not just divers. When it comes to diving in Florida, it doesn’t get much better than Crystal River!

You can find a great break-down of the wildlife and what time of year to dive there on Dive Report.

Florida Coral Reef & Its Fishes

The only state in the United States to have widespread shallow coral reef structures near its coasts is the beautiful place of Florida. The coral reef is made to provide food, shelter and breeding spots for various animals and plants. Coral is specified as animals, yet they do have plants and other creatures which are all closely related. The sugar and oxygen let off the plants feed the coral animals and the waste that animals leave is what gives the plants some of their nutrients; the plants are also protected by the animal tissue.  Many of the tiny plants on the reef give the beautiful colours to the coral. Coral reefs can only be formed with precise characteristics, these are; warm water temperatures, a solid formation, clear waters, low in phosphate and nitrogen and normal wave action to separate waste.

Here are a few reef fishes to name:

Africa Pompano

What they look like:

 

 

Size: to 91cm(3ft) and 19kg(42lb)

Where found: in depths of 55m(180ft) reefs, wrecks and rock ledges

 

Atlantic Croaker

What they look like:

 

Size: less than 2lb

Where found: young fish in estuaries, older fish in deep offshore waters

 

Black Grouper

What they look like:

 

 

Size: commonly 60lb but could reach 100lb

Where found:  adults; rocky bottoms, reefs and drop-off walls, young; may be seen inshore in shallow waters

 

Black Sea Bass

What they look like:

 

 

Size: to 1.5lb(13in)

Where found: associated with reefs and rubble offshore, smaller found on inshore channels

 

Dog Snapper

What they look like:

 

 

Size: reaching 30lb

Where found: adults; off shore, coral and rocky reefs. Juveniles; estuaries

 

Greater Amberjack

What they look like:

 

 

Size: normally 40lb

Where found: rocky reefs, debris and wrecks; 60-240ft of water, juveniles; floating objects and less than 30ft of water

 

Hogfish

What they look like:

 

Size: to 91cm(3ft)

Details: Known as food for others; usually called Hog Snapper

 

Lane Snapper

What they look like:

 

Size: usually less than 1lb                                           

Where found: juveniles; inshore over grass beds orshallow reefs, adults; offshore

 

Sand Perch

What they look like:

 

Size: to 30cm(1ft)

Where found: bays, coastal grassy areas and shallow banks

 

White Grunt

What they look like:

 

 

Size: most 1.5lbs(15in)

Where found: from the shore to the outer reef or offshore to 115ft, juveniles; inshore

 

 

Florida Keys Beaches

If I say so myself, Florida Keys is home to paradise and beautiful sights, with a variety of heart whelming beaches that cater for everyone’s needs. Anne’s Beach located in Islamorada allows pets and activities such as fishing and swimming. It is recommended for its sunbathing as temperatures are very high. Here, locals and the more experienced can also go for a walk through The Boardwalk, which include the lots and 5 covered pavilions with a handful of beaches. Another is Sombrero Beach located in Marathon. It’s a beautiful sandy beach with a picnic area, parks, volleyball courts and bathrooms. This beach is known for turtle nesting, in which during April to October, is closed for the turtles to lay their eggs.  Apart from this, windsurfing, jet skiing and swimming can be found here as well as barbecue grills and restrooms. This beach, aimed mainly at children, is also a relaxing and free-spirited place where adults can enjoy sunbathing and having an ice cold drink. Smathers Beach in Key West is the largest beach which runs along the southern shore for at least 2 miles. Activities include parasailing, windsurfing, beach sport and water sport rentals and tanning in which all ages can take part. An island rumour is that this is the only beach to have their sand imported from Barbados for the pleasure of the visitors, every other year due to deposition the sand is replenished. On the other hand, Smathers Beach is home to surfboarders and snorkelers in whom have their own offshore zone for them to enjoy themselves and do what they enjoy. This beach is also very popular and many visitors have spoken of its pleasantness and calmness. On shore they also offer a variety of foods including burger vans, restaurants, Italian ice cream and hot dogs.

Things to do in Florida

In Florida Keys there are many things to do, whether it’s sitting by the beach enjoying a cold drink or going to the local historical places or parks. There are numerous places to go and attractions to see. Located in Big Pine Key is a National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge where the Key Deer roams around the park and visitors are able to get up close and personally with the animals. This is a good family day out as it keeps the kids engaged and includes many activities for them to get involved with. It covers approx 9,200 acres of land which includes freshwater wetlands, salt marsh wetlands, tropical hardwood hammocks and mangrove forests. There are a number of national parks that Florida suggests tourists to go to, a few to name are; Harry Harris Park, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Curry Hammock State Park and Bahia Honda State Park each offering a different range of activitiesanimals and play areas. Being Florida’s main hobby, fishing is available in every town. Tarpon fishing is best known in Florida, this fishing is so common that every year they have an event where anglers from all over the world visit to fish for giant tarpons. This would attract the adults more but children may still enjoy it.

Home to the bottlenose dolphin, the Dolphin Research Center makes a perfect stopover in Grassy Key, Marathon. It offers a variety of things to do; being a dolphin trainer for the day, swimming with them, adopting dolphins and hugging a sea lion. All these things are what kids look for in having not only a fantastic holiday but also learning new things. A couple of miles away from here, is a turtle hospital, where you can get history of the turtles and what they do, get a tour of the surgery room and feed and meet them. It gives you an insight of turtles and also teaches people how to look after them and respect them.In Key West, is the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens and; this is both an historical and educational site where local history is told and where sightings of the one-acre tropical garden can be seen. Welcoming all ages the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens contains goods going back to the 19^th century, this is why they preserve their valuables and keep things safe. The gardens contain orchids and bromeliads, each tree and plant labelled with their common names, Latin names and country of origin. The house and gardens can be used for weddings, dinners, receptions and other special events. Florida has MILLIONS of things to offer to their visitors, this is why they are so popular.

Once in a life time opportunity

Experience this once in a life time opportunity, explore and discover new species that will without a doubt blow your mind in the tropical ocean of Florida. The ocean is surrounded by many sea creatures such as; Nurse sharks, Turtles, dolphins and many more. Come dive with the dolphins and see the sea animals.

There are many sights to see and dive spots such as;
Joe’s tug- A Tug That sank under mysterious circumstances brings you close to jewfish which is a beautiful and wonderful sight worth seeing.

Sand key- There are ledges on the key that drop from 45-70 feet this is a great experience to be explored and a challenge for those with a competitive personality.

There are many more sights yet to be revealed only you can knowledge this life changing chance so come along and enjoy.

Written by Demi-Rose Anderson

Diving in Florida

Florida, a place for eventful fantasies to energize into sparkles will flourish into taking you on an adventure never to be forgotten. It being the centre of scuba diving in the US, it has mind-blowing facilities to embark a holiday of a life time.

This exquisite menu includes the benefits of Southeast Florida by it having the largest artificial reef and wreck program in the country. This will ensure your experience is vivacious and merely beautiful. The marine filled with striking fishes will embrace your presence whilst you indulge and appreciate the picturesque voyage.

With this much dimension and competition, the local and travelling diver acquires the advantages of low prices and phenomenal values. Don’t delay; harvest your finance on our astounding package. Obtain this incredible quest of a life time, and let your eyes wander across the astonishing scene. Allow the feeling of amazement overpower your inner self. Struck yourself in awe, don’t be absent, and accompany us in this superb venture.

Written by Nazrin Begum

Dive In The Florida Oceans

Diving in the Florida Oceans goes all year round in southeast Florida and the Keys. The visibility is typically 40-50 feet, and occasionally will be 100 feet or more. Lobsters, nurse sharks and turtles are normally sighted on every dive. However there are a range of different diving styles in Florida like, boat diving, beach diving, drift diving and wreck diving. Each style is straightforward when you know how to do it, but can sometimes cause uneasiness if you’re new to it. Even experienced divers sometimes need assistance on local customs when visiting new locations as diving can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re not prepared for the dive.

Boat Diving is one the most popular diving styles in Florida, the boats usually carry 6 or less divers for safety reasons. You usually dive for an hour and get two dives in two different locations as the boat moves you there.

On weekends and holidays, the boats run a morning trip, and afternoon trip, and sometimes a night trip. If you make arrangements for a quick lunch, you can get 4 dives a day and still have 2 night dives ahead later that evening.

Written by Seyi Sanyaolu

Places to stay in Florida Keys

Islamorada

Yet again, Islamorada have many places to stay in style and comfort, whether it’s a caravan, guest house, hotel or condo that suits you, its available all over the town. Islamorada also have houseboats which offer toilets, bathrooms and kitchens and sleeps up to six people, to be eligible you must be able to control a boat of its size. Many if not all places to stay are either on the beach or very close to which gives great views, fresh air and your own space.

Key Largo

There are a variety of places for divers and people to stay here at Key Largo, either after a long day of being underwater or just for a relaxing break. Key Largo has accommodation in hotels, inns, condo rentals, cottages, guest houses and campgrounds. Many of these include water sports equipment, food and some even allow pets to stay too.

Key West

In the winter, Key West welcomes many visitors who are more interested in tropical island resorts, bed and breakfasts and hotels; January through to June is when these are filled with holidaymakers. On the other hand caravans and tents, condos and rental homes are aimed at more in the summer, as visitors are mainly looking for a better place to sleep. All accommodations have amenities but hotels, condos and resorts are more likely to have a better standard.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Marathon

This area contains different keys and islands; Boot Key, Crawl Key, Grassy Key, Pigeon Key and Duck Key. Just from this, you can tell that this area has LOADS of places to chill out and lay your head. This is very much a family area accommodating children and adults in a more fun and experiencing way. Hotels, private homes, small motels, tropical resorts and condos are amongst the widespread categories that fall in places to stay attracting many of families and people coming from across the world. Marathon has a Dolphin Research Centre which entices many young children as they are able to get in the water and also be personal with the dolphins. Party boats, fishing, sailing and seafood festivals are what also include in some of the lodgings.

The Key to Diving In Florida

There are several locations divers can visit in Florida Keys where wreck diving, reef diving, shallow diving, deep dives and night diving takes place, these diving attractions drawing many people from across the world. Scuba diving is also part of these resorts; if this is your thing then you can have the chance to learn scuba diving from beginner lessons to a more advanced programme. Chances are you can gain certification in diving, how cool! These scenes are categorised in Lower Keys, Middle Keys and Upper Keys.

Here are a few facts on Key Largo and Marathon;

Key Largo

Population (2000): 12,971

 Area: 15.3 sq mi (39.6 km²)

Of Land: 12.2 sq mi (31.5 km²)  

Of Water: 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)

Upper Keys

Welcome to the ‘Dive Capital of the World’ engulfed with beautiful beaches and the nations first marine preserve, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where many of the scuba diving spots are for visitors to explore and a variety of dazzling coral reef to die for; schools of tropical fish, sting rays, eels, turtles, reef sharks, crabs and lobsters. Access to these amazing sights may not only be scuba diving but you may also snorkel or ride on a glass bottom boat. Famously, the Christ of Abyss lurks beneath the sea. This is a 260kg concrete bronze mould of Jesus Christ approximately 25ft below the surface. From this you should know the reason why so many people travel here annually.

 Marathon                                     

Population (2000): 10,255

Area:  9.6 sq mi (25 km²)

Land: 8.6 sq mi (22.4 km²)

Water: 1 sq mi (2.6 km²)

Middle Keys

Abundant reefs flow through the Marathon area that pulls in divers, sailing, snorkelling and fishing. Not only do they cater for divers but they also have a well looked preserved beach; Sombrero Beach and a mixture of eco-activities for the family to enjoy. Sombrero Key is home to a wonderful world of dolphins, lobsters, a range of fishes and overall an incredible underworld scenery. The waters here are much deeper than in the Upper Keys and therefore means more holes and lodges for the sea creatures. Sombrero is also famous for its lighthouse which contains eight iron piles and still works to this day!

 

The florida keys reefs

There are lots of different reefs in the Florida keys here are most of them;

• Captain toms ledge- contains a whole food chain from larger grouper to over 5000 schooling fish (35-60ft of water)
• Conch wall – contains huge barrel sponges and large marine life (50-110 ft of water)
• Crocker ridges – large coral heads where you can see angelfish and butterflies
• Crocker wall – large sponges and Georgians and eagle rays (40 – 90 ft )
•  Pavey Crocker –  ideal for water photography nurse sharks, grouper, jacks, and many tropical fish (15- 30ft of water)
• Pavis reef – larger green moray eels, multitude of tropical fish. Good place to go for night dives. (15- 30 ft of water)
• Hens and chickens – beautiful peaks and mound of star and plate coral. Better visibility in the summer (5- 25ft of water)
• Little conch reef – a variety of marine life, nurse sharks and moray eels (15-30ft of water)
• Molasses reef – this is the most popular reef. Noted for lots of fish, many star coral heads, regal sands of Elkhorn coral (15-30ft of water)
• Petels – patched reefs with soft and hard coral, plenty of fish life and noted for nurse sharks (12-20ft of water)
• Pickles reef – ideal for photographers because of the many small critters. A very pretty reef that includes barrels from a civil war wreck (10-25ft of water)
• Pillar coral – beautiful stands of rare pillar cora; and numerous small fish (15-25ft of water)
• Spanish lady- provides a series of ledges which is excellent for juvenile fish life plus great lobstering (15-25ft)