Keys TravelerDIVE EDITION

Dive Volunteerism Etiquette Wrecks and Reefs fla-keys.com Learn to Dive A diver explores the egardless of experience, divers Spiegel Grove off Key Largo. in the Keys exercise

caution and awareness of Pam Murph Stephen Frink R Be an Ocean Advocate their surroundings – reef etiquette extends to snorkelers and even participants in , a cross Florida Keys Reef between and scuba. Every day Keys dive operators help enforce – through continued Etiquette for Divers education and shared information – guidelines from boat etiquette to the “no touch” rules that are strictly enforced for all divers and snorkelers visiting the reefs within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Many dive shops have a low divers- to-guide ratio when they are in the water with their divers, ensuring they employ proper reef etiquette – a procedure that is especially important among beginner divers such as open-water students or newly certified divers just learning to control their underwater. Late spring and summer are among the best times to explore the Keys Programs Spotlight Wrecks and Reefs undersea world of the Florida Keys, but it’s crucial to practice important or thousands of the Spiegel Grove and Gen. Hoyt S. reef etiquette: and snorkeling enthusiasts who Vandenberg. Before hitting the water, apply visit the Florida Keys annually, Advanced, wreck-certified divers Keys Traveler environmentally safe sunscreens F DIVE EDITION two unique programs spotlight the who complete at least one wreck both for skin protection and to Editor: Andy Newman Managing eliminate harmful chemicals such as Keys’ shipwrecks and coral reefs dive with a participating dive op­ Editor: Julie Botteri Copy Editor: between Key Largo and Key West. erator receive the logbook and a Buck Banks oxybenzone from entering the water Each program offers special souve­ personalized print of Florida Keys Keys Traveler is published by the column and poisoning coral reefs. nir journals for participants. shipwrecks. Monroe County Tourist Development Avoid wearing gloves, except The Florida Keys Wreck Trek First-timers, families and fun-loving Council, the official visitor marketing when diving on wrecks. agency for the Florida Keys & Key Perform checks at the logbook features nine iconic sites: adventure groups can participate West. Director: Stacey Mitchell Sales Duane, Benwood, Eagle, Thunder­ in the Become a Reef Explorer Director: Jim De Keyrel Dive Market surface. It’s important for divers to practice reef etiquette such Trim correctly — as the correct swimming kick style and a neutrally bolt, Adolphus Busch Senior, - program. Participants receive a Sales Manager: Yves Vrielynck buoyant position to keep from impacting the reef. man Salvager, Joe’s Tug and two journal from a professional dive or Florida Keys dive marketing commitee: taking weight off during the dive or of the world’s largest shipwrecks operator and collect valida­ Chair: Kim Roney Vice Chair: Pam redistributing weights on the belt. including slowing down in an area and snorkel sites are located within Meyer Members: Bob Brayman, Nick Dive shops demonstrate to the Florida Keys National Marine intentionally sunk as artificial reefs, tion stamps each time they visit one Kolessar, Amy Slate where another vessel is displaying a of a region’s reefs highlighted in the new divers the proper neutrally dive flag, paying close attention to Sanctuary, and anchoring in marked Copyright 2019-20 MCTDC journal. buoyant position, how far to keep currents, staying close to the boat Sanctuary Preservation Areas is For the free Keys Traveler After divers or snorkelers col­ off the reef and correct swimming and having someone who knows how prohibited. newsletter, subscribe at kick style. to operate the vessel remain on the When divers are educated about lect one reef stamp in each the five fla-keys.com/keys-traveler regions of the Keys, they can email Understand that touching the boat at all times. reef responsibility, everyone involved [email protected] and re- is damaging. Paramount among private vessels can benefit — and the coral reef ceive an access code to download, Private boaters need also to be is not to anchor on the reef. Be can remain the Florida Keys’ personalize and print a frame-ready aware of dive flag etiquette and aware of reef mooring buoys to greatest environmental treasure for Florida Keys Reef Explorer poster. Cover photo by Tim Grollimund properly evaluate diving conditions, use instead of anchoring; many dive generations. 2 KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION 3 Dive Volunteerism

& SM Make Your Dives Count

ivers play a significant role as stewards of the world’s Doceans. They can give back to the living, dynamic ecosystem of the Florida Keys through “voluntourism” vacations, helping to protect the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef by diving purposefully for the greater good. Recreational sport divers can join coral restoration dive programs for ongoing coral propagation efforts with marine scientists from Key Largo’s Coral Restoration Foundation and Mote Marine Tropical Research Laboratory, a fully equipped facility located on Summerland Key as a substation of Sarasota, Florida– based Mote Marine Laboratory. Divers learn about environmental impacts on Keys reefs through orientations and hands-on restoration dives. Endangered base-building include boulder, brain and star corals. Two branching species, staghorn and elkhorn, propagate quickly to create new habitats. On working dives to coral nurseries, volunteers clean and prepare corals for planting. Dives at restoration sites involve planting coral fragments and show firsthand the evolution of corals over time. Coral restoration is something the average person can get their hands Divers with the Key Largo-based Coral Restoration Foundation harvest coral on and do, giving people ownership. clippings in an underwater nursery. Photo by Tim Grollimund Volunteers can take the experience back to their home communities to and juvenile fish, stealing food is to conserve marine ecosystems, capture, earn prizes and sample the contribute through everyday bottles, plastics and refuse can encourage others to join the cause. resources from domestic species partners with the Florida Keys tasty edible fish. conservation actions to leave an make a huge difference over time. Capturing lionfish is another hands- like grouper and snapper. National Marine Sanctuary and the The Florida Fish and Wildlife area cleaner than they found it. For other eco-friendly opportunities on activity for divers to help preserve The popular aquarium fish, dive community to create awareness Conservation Commission also Cutting and removing monofilament and activities in the Florida Keys, visit the Keys’ natural resources and probably introduced to Florida waters about the importance of removing established an annual Lionfish fishing line eliminates a potential fla-keys.com/sustain. protect reef organisms. Capture and during the 1980s, has no natural lionfish from Keys waters. Removal and Awareness Day entanglement for other divers and — Julie Botteri consumption of lionfish helps prevent reef predators except humans. There is no season or size limit throughout Florida, the first Saturday marine life, such as endangered the invasive Indo-Pacific species from The Keys’ Reef Environmental for lionfish. Recreational lionfish in May following Mother’s Day. sea turtles. Picking up lost fishing voraciously preying on invertebrates Education Foundation, whose mission roundups provide divers a chance to Divers in the Florida Keys tackle as well as removing cans, 4 KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION 5 Blue Star–Certified Operators Inspire Learn to Dive in the Florida Keys Stephen Frink Confidence for earn-to-dive options in the Florida Keys range from operations worldwide. Snorkeling the Keys introductory one-day experiences, full certification Where do students receive their dive training? Keys Visitors Land various specialties to career Some of the first businesses to offer recreational dive Underwater Paradise Catering to divers and snorkelers opportunities — all with personalized training. Here are training in America were opened in the Keys. Dozens of enjoying coral reefs within the Florida some basic facts. dive operators, staffed with working professionals, ac- Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Who can learn to tively teach and train Blue Star–certified dive and snorkel dive? Scuba diving daily. charters differentiate themselves is an adventure sport When are classes as having voluntarily trained with a that any healthy and Pam Murph offered? A primary government agency to help educate active individual as advantage of the others and reduce human impacts young as age 10 can Florida Keys is year- on the coral reef system, the only enjoy. round tropical weather barrier reef in the continental U.S. What classes are and clear, warm seas Responsible diving is commonly available? Entry- to practice skin div­ practiced by encouraging visitors level, “open water” ing and to help reduce stress on coral reefs certification involves virtually any day of while partaking of their beauty. three to five days of the year. Training Since Blue Star’s inception in 2010, training and class­ conditions are nice some 20 Keys professional operators room work covering and easy, with light Katherine Wieland have become members, adhering to concepts such as currents and great snorkels to examine the ‘Christ of the Deep’ the program’s coral reef education basic physics and underwater visibility. statue off Key Largo. and conservation standards, physiology, ocean Why dive the and including Blue Star program waves, marine life, Keys? The reef lives eaturing vivid coral reefs teeming with exotic sea creatures, the Florida messaging throughout dive briefings monitoring dive time in waters as shallow Keys attract snorkel and scuba aficionados each year who can’t wait to and student certification programs. and depth, followed Students practice scuba diving skills with an instructor off Marathon. as 5 feet and up to 50 Fget into the water and explore — even as first-timers. Participating dive operators meet by pool and open-wa­ feet, but most reef div­ Snorkeling requires a mask, snorkel, fins for propulsion and inflatable snor­ certain criteria and are evaluated ter dives at the reef. Students also learn about navigation ers log a maximum depth of 20 to 30 feet. Keys shallow keling vest to enjoy a day of underwater sightseeing. Professional snorkel yearly. Trained staff members are around natural formations. diving offers two immediate benefits: longer time safely charters provide (and rent) equipment and simple instruction. Add an SPF- committed to promoting responsible Upon passing a knowledge test and completing the spent on the bottom exploring, and brighter and more rated shirt or “” and coral-friendly sunscreen for protection and tourism, aimed at teaching in- required number of dives, students become certified vibrant colors because more natural sunlight reaches you’re ready to go. water etiquette such as the rules recreational scuba divers, eligible to rent dive gear and shallow depths. Spectacular shallow reefs are a short boat ride from shore, located in of sanctuary-protected areas, reef book dive trips to depths of about 60 feet with most — Julie Botteri water that’s often just 10 to 15 feet deep. fish identification, practicing good he Florida Keys History of Diving Museum, mile marker als, crustaceans and Keys reef fish. buoyancy, taking care in placement Some favorite undersea sites include the nation’s first undersea park, 82.9 in Islamorada, offers a free “Immerse Yourself!” Key Largo–based Reef Environmental Education Foundation of hands and fins as well as avoiding Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Nearby, the 9--foot-tall Tlecture series for underwater enthusiasts. presents “Fishinars” to divers, snorkelers and landlubbers 4,000-pound bronze statue known as “Christ of the Deep” stands on a con­ touching or standing on coral. Qualified and trained experts present as guest lecturers the who want to know more about ocean life. Great for first-time crete base in approximately 25 feet of water and is one of the most photo­ Participating divers and snorkelers third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. REEF surveyors or those wanting a review, the short, free graphed underwater sites in the world. can become Blue Star Partners by Families of all ages can experience the Coral Reef Explora- webinars teach the finer points of identifying fish and inverte- Off Islamorada, Alligator Reef is populated with yellowtail snapper, grunts, attending a reef etiquette briefing tion exhibit at Islamorada’s Florida Keys History & Discovery brates underwater. Guest speakers present free “Fishinars” goatfish and damselfish. Spiny lobsters hide in crevices. or watching a Center at Islander Resort, mile marker 82. A result of a on a variety of ocean topics. Registration is required. Among Marathon’s notable patch reefs and spur and groove formations is reef etiquette partnership with Key Largo’s Coral Restoration Foundation launched OK- Sombrero Reef, marked by a large lighted tower. educational Yearn to Learn Sarasota, Flori- Coral, an innovative swipe-based app for smartphones. With The Lower Keys’ Looe Key Reef is one of the most spectacular shallow- video, to learn da–based Mote a special underwater housing called “Smart Housing,” users Marine Labora- can take and upload photos of transplanted corals. more about diver at Keys Facilities water undersea environs. Its great numbers of reef fish annually play host to tory, the exhibit The interactive app enables snorkelers and divers to snorkelers and divers during the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. responsibilities. features educational storyboards, interactive kiosks and video become citizen scientists and collect information about reef Key West offers snorkelers nearby offshore wreck and sites Blue Star–rated operators can be monitors that provide an educational view of the Keys’ unique restoration sites and document coral photos. with abundant marine life, gorgonians and corals like the Western Sambos, identified by a flag or decal with the coral reef ecosystem and the challenges it faces. Marathon-based Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters offers a part of an ecological reserve, and Eastern Dry Rocks. Blue Star logo displayed on their Native local species populate a 1,250-gallon aquarium with personalized Aquarium Encounters Coral Reef Dive certifica- Snorkeling is the perfect family activity for close observation of the inhabit- charter vessel. angel and butterfly fish, tangs and wrasse, and invertebrates. tion led by a dive instructor who provides education about the ants of one of the world’s most diverse, complex and beautiful ecosystems. floridakeys.noaa.gov/onthewater/bluestar Two 280-gallon aquariums support invasive lionfish, live cor- unique Florida Keys marine ecosystem.

6 KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION KEYS TRAVELER DIVE EDITION 7 9336

Shark Point Pahayokee Overlook To Florida Turnpike Card Sisal Pond Sound Ponce De Leon Bay to Miami, other Oyster parts of Florida Bay Mahogany Shark River Hammock and the USA Island 1 North Sweet Bay Key Largo Everglades 905 @floridakeysandkeywest Pond Traveling Tips Whitewater Bay National North We st Cape Cape Park Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Sable Botanical State Park Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Nine Mile Refuge Pond MILE Hawk Channel 110 Barnes Carysfort Long Point Mary Sound Sound Reef Cross Key 905 to the Florida Keys Alligator Tr out Cove Seven Palm Lake Bay Davis Shell Key Middle Cape Cove Canal Long Madeira Deer Key Middle Lake Bay Blackwater Bear Garfield Monroe Lake Sound Eagle Key North Dr y Rocks Lake 9336 Bight Elbow Reef Madeira Snake Bight Rankin Santini Terrapin City of Washington Wreck Lake Bay MILE Middle Cape Point Bight Bight Bay Key Largo Ingraham Flamingo Shark Terrapin 105 Dry Rocks Point Mosquito Crocodile Point Madeira “Christ of the Deep” Joe Kemp Umbrella Point Point Point @thefloridakeys Key Big Key East Cape Bradley Key Rankin Canal Key Key Samphire Grecian East Cape Keys Buttonwood Rocks Sound MILE John Pennekamp 100 Coral Reef State Park Spiegel Grove Benwood Wreck MILE Wreck 95 White Banks Cottrell Rodriguez Key East Key 1 Key Marquesas Tavernier Molasses Hospital Middle Keys Reef Key Key Barracuda MILE Key 90 Pickles Archer Reef Mule Loggerhead Key Florida Bay Bibb Key Islamorada Plantation Wreck Key Windley Key

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MILE Long Key 65 Long Key Conch Key State Park Florida Keys National

Marathon MILE Big Pine Key Grassy Key Marine Sanctuary Gulf of Mexico 60 Straits of Florida @flkeyskeywest Tennessee Duck Key Reef Great White Heron Florida Keys Big Torch Marathon Int’l Airport MILE 55 National Wildlife Refuge Key Curry Hammock State Park East Tu rtle Deer Key Shoal Two Humps Knights MILE Pigeon 50 Vaca Key National Key Key 1 Middle Old Seven Key Deer Mile Bridge MILE We st Tu rtle Torch No Name 45 Refuge Ohio Key MILE The Shoal Sugarloaf Key Key Key 40 Boot Key Cudjoe Key MILE Seven Snake Little 30 Coffins MILE Mile Patch 20 MILE Torch Saddlebunch 25 Coupon MILE 1 Bridge 1 Key Bight 35 Bahia Delta Shoal Herman’s Summerland Ramrod Hole Alexander’s Wreck Keys MILE Key 15 Key Newfound Honda East Thunderbolt Harbor Keys Washerwoman Sombrero Wreck Lower Samantha’s Atlantic Ocean Big Coppitt State Park Reef Cottrell Key West Sugarloaf Key Hawk Channel Key Key Flagler’s Barge MILE American Dredger’s Key West Golf 10 Newfound Harbor Seven Mile Bridge Wreck Fleming Key Course and CC Shoal Coral Heads Keyy 1 Artificial Reef MILE 5 Maryland FloridaKeysTV U.S. Naval Geiger Big Pine Stock Shoals Adolphus Air Station Key Looe Key Shoals MILE Island Busch Sr. 0 Wreck Reef Preserve Ft. Taylor Key We st Boca Chica Key Florida Keys National SOUTHERNMOST Int’l Airport fla-keys.com State Park POINT Marine Sanctuary KEY WEST, FL Western Eastern Pelican Straits of Florida Sambos Shoal Eastern Sambos Florida Keys National Dry Rocks Joe’s Tu g Sand Rock Marine Sanctuary Key Key Western Cayman Vandenberg Dry Rocks Salvor Wreck Wreck keysvoices.com The 125-mile-long Florida Keys island the signs for the Florida Keys. Weather/Climate chain is linked to mainland Florida by From farther north, take the Florida Wherever you are right now, chances are U.S. Highway 1, the Overseas Highway. Turnpike south to just below Fort Lauderdale, the weather is better in the Florida Keys. Visitors can fly into Miami International where Exit 4 joins the southern portion of the That’s true even on a summer day. The Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Turnpike that ends at U.S. 1 in Florida City. hottest it’s ever been in Key West is 97° F International Airport (FLL) and from there Follow U.S. 1 south into the Florida Keys. (36° C), and that was in 1880. At can reach the Keys by airport shuttle bus From Florida’s west coast, take I –75 summer’s peak, the average high air or rental car. Travelers can reach Key (Alligator Alley) south to the Miami exit, and is about 89° F (32° C). The Largo, the gateway to the Keys, in about south to the Turnpike Extension. Keys are devoid of superhighways or urban an hour from Miami or an hour and 45 Driving Data to Keys/Key Largo sprawl to absorb and radiate the sun’s heat. minutes from Fort Lauderdale. And the islands are cooled by sea breezes. FROM MILES KM HOURS In the winter, the Keys are typically the Air Service to the Florida Keys Miami 50 80 1 warmest region in the continental U.S. For an up-to-date roster of commercial Fort Myers 200 320 4 There has never been a frost in Key West, airlines and on-demand charter operators Tampa 300 480 6 according to the U.S. Weather Service. serving Key West International and Orlando 280 450 5.25 Below are past 30-year monthly air Florida Keys Marathon International Distance from Miami , according to the Key West Airports, go to fla-keys.com/how-to-get­ REGION MILES KM MILE MARKER weather office. Temperatures in blue shades here. Key Largo 50 80 107–90 are Fahrenheit and those in red are Celsius. Driving Directions Islamorada 76 122 89–66 From Miami International Airport (MIA), Marathon 111 178 65–45 take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. Lower Keys 128 205 44–5 Take the Florida Turnpike (State Road 91) Key West 159 254 4–0 south toward Key West. Via Bus The Turnpike ends at U.S. 1 in Florida City. Bus/shuttle connections from MIA and Follow U.S. 1 south about 22 miles FLL to the Florida Keys allow traveling to the to Key Largo and you and your travel Keys without renting a car. companions will be in the Florida Keys. Via Boat From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Inter­ Help and More Information Ferry connections from Fort Myers or national Airport (FLL), exit the airport and If you’re traveling in the Keys and need Marco Island to Key West are offered follow the any help, call the toll-free visitors assistance via the Key West Express. Voyages take signs for line at 800-771-KEYS. It’s staffed 24 hours approximately 3.5 hours. I –595 West. a day. To contact visitor offices in the Keys, Extensive details on getting to the Florida Take 595 to call 800-FLA-KEYS. The Keys website at Keys & Key West are available at: the Florida fla-keys.com has a live chat feature with Turnpike f la-keys.com/how-to-get-here visitor specialists available during U.S. and follow weekday business hours to aid travelers.