Divers Direct Welcomes Ocean Divers GEARUP - GET IN and Introduces Emocean Sports to the Holiday Diver Family by Katie Macqueen It’s no secret that Key Largo is the diving capital of the world. With access to Christ of the Abyss, Molasses Reef, Green Sea Turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays and barrier reef just a short boat ride away, divers and ocean lovers worldwide flock to Key $20 OFF Largo for the best oceanic experience. WHEN YOU SPEND $95 What better place to call home? “We operate 6 large retail Divers Direct DIVERS SNORKELERS FREEDIVERS PADDLERS SPEAROS SWIMMERS BOATERS BEACHBUMS stores throughout South Florida, but this year we were ready to expand from gear and retail to the actual experience,” remarks Darcy Kieran, President. “We want to share our love for the ocean and been serving the scuba community encourage people to experience it in more in Key Largo for forty years. Divers ways than one.” and snorkelers alike arrive every day to experience the friendly staff and Enter Emocean Sports, the new watersports exceptional customer service for activity hub, at the Key Largo Bay Marriott excursions and certifications. “Divers are Beach Resort. “We welcome every type of not only welcome for leisure, but we also ocean lover,” says Renee Wind, Emocean have a full staff of instructors and trainers Sports Manager. “We are fully embracing on call when divers want to get their next Divers Direct’s initiative to connect with level of certification,” says Connie Boykin, not only divers, but snorkelers, paddlers, Ocean Divers Operations Manager. “We freedivers, beach bums, swimmers, and have something for every diver!” thrill seekers. We really have something available here for everyone!” Currently, Since the beginning of September, Ocean guests can choose from the extensive list Divers has hosted “Wreck Wednesdays,” of activities at Emocean Sports, ranging where divers venture out to the Eagle, from waverunner and SUP rentals to the Spiegel Grove, and the Benwood. scuba and snorkeling excursions, not to Experienced divers can explore these mention Eco tours and sunset cruises. three infamous shipwrecks full of marine EXPIRES 10/31/16 wildlife. Divers must have their Advanced VALID IN STORE ONLY “We are also excited to announce that Open Water and Nitrox Certifications. SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY Ocean Divers has joined our family “It’s nice to see Ocean Divers hosting an as well,” says Kieran. Ocean Divers, event for the more experienced diving a full-service dive resort and PADI community,” remarks Terry Schafer, Career Development Center, that has Regional Manager. “Often, Key Largo’s tourist-driven dive industry sticks to shallow waters, Wreck Wednesdays is a great event for Nitrox divers looking for a more challenging dive!” Both Emocean Sports and Ocean Divers participated in the 2015 Florida Keys Annual Reef Crawl, a four day fest celebrating marine conservation and 99621 Overseas Hwy (US 1) preservation in, around, and under the water. Emocean Sports proudly hosted Key Largo, FL 33037 Tel: 305-451-0118 Senator Holly Raschein’s office for their DiversDirect.com REEF Awareness program, promoting fish and reef conservation. Stay tuned for more updates, or stop by the Divers Direct, Ocean Divers or Emocean Sports to check out our monthly events! 2 Key Largo Chamber of Commerce 1-800-822-1088 www.KeyLargoChamber.org This is the official publication of the Legendary Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. For further information on lodging, attractions and visitor activities in the Key Largo area, call 305-451-1414 or 1-800-822-1088. This guide is published by the Legendary Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy; however, the Legendary Key Largo Chamber ADVERTISERS INDEX of Commerce shall not be held liable for For more information stop by the ABOUT OUR COVER: Florida Bay, a calm jewel for paddling, kayaking and any errors or omissions. No part of this Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Animal Care Clinic ..................20 publication may be reproduced in any form boating in Key Largo. Visitors Center, located at mile Atlantic Bay Resort ..................22 whatsoever, including electronic and Internet Bob Marshall is a professional pho- marker (MM) 106, a half mile after Barefeet Rentals ....................22 applications, without written permission tographer with a passion for sharing Bay Harbor Lodge ...................22 from the publisher. Copyright 2015. you enter Key Largo. his aerial views of the beautiful waters and land of the Florida Keys. Using a Capt. Sterling’s Everglades Eco Tours ..20 HD camera mounted in a professional Courtyard by Marriott - s you approach the first of the Florida of the area’s gray ghosts – the elusive drone, Bob’s still and video photogra- AKeys, prepare for an incredible sight – Key bonefish, found on the shallow-water flats. Miami Homestead ................25 phy provides viewers a high altitude Largo, the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay Divers Direct ........................2 perspective of Keys topography from from the top of the Jewfish Creek Bridge, Watersports abound for the adrenaline Dolphins Plus .......................6 enthusiast and nature lover alike – rent Florida Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. soaring 65 feet above the water. Welcome Fish House/Encore Restaurant .........8 to the island of Key Largo, where you can a Jet Ski or a kayak and chart your own Bob studied at the New York Institute flkeys-fishing.com ...................4 kick off your shoes and leave the cares of course. Or leave the “driving” to any of Photography and loves to capture the world behind. of our qualified eco-tour operators, unique images of nature and the beau- Florida Keys Electric Coop ............29 who can show you manatees, brilliant tiful sunsets in the Florida Keys as well Florida Keys Rental Store ............24 The draw has always been the sea – its roseate spoonbills as they roost and soar as other places in the world where he Freewheeler Vacations ...............22 beauty and its bounty sounding the overhead, pods of playful wild dolphins has traveled. His real estate work for Hampton Inn & Suites - siren song. Clear waters beckon you to and more. Keys properties combines both aerial explore the only living coral reefs in the Miami South/Homestead ...........25 For land-based enchantment, nature and landscape photography and video. continental U.S. at John Pennekamp Coral International Travel Group ...........20 trails at Pennekamp Park and Everglades Reef State Park. Bob is also well known in the Upper Island Decor ........................29 National Park offer a glimpse into South Keys for his Memphis-style smoked Island Smoke Shop .................13 Florida’s unique hammock and marshland BBQ and American cuisine. A former ecosystems. restaurateur, many refer to him as Rib Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill ............8 When night comes, island living means Daddy, although these days Bob is in de- Key Largo Chocolates ................9 dining on fresh-caught seafood at a mand for wedding and event catering. Key Largo Fisheries ..................8 waterfront restaurant and then relaxing to Key Largo Princess ..................16 the sounds of waves lapping softly at the Area Code is 305 Key Largo Resorts ..................19 shore or enjoying live entertainment at unless otherwise indicated. Keys History & Discovery Center ......14 area venues. Key Largo Population 18,528 Monroe County Solid Waste/Recycling .24 But don’t worry about a dress code – Key Rock Reef Resort ....................22 Largo is laid back and casual, even at its Zip Codes: In 2010, Pennekamp – the first underwater most formal. However, if the urge to dress Key Largo 33037 Shell World ........................11 Tavernier 33070 park in the United States – celebrated its up overcomes you, go for it! Virtually Sundowners Restaurant ..............8 Islamorada 33036 50th anniversary. Be sure to check out anything goes here! The Keys Salt Scrub .................12 the newly refurbished 30,000-gallon Homestead 33030 Theater of the Sea ...................4 saltwater aquarium there. From first-class resorts and luxurious oceanfront estates, to charming beach Scuba diving and snorkeling the fragile bungalows and small boutique hotels, reef reveals a Technicolor explosion of you’ll find your own slice of paradise to call tropical fish and calming coral “gardens.” home. Visitors flock to the Christ of the Deep If island time fits the rhythm of your life, statue, which resides north of our newest Key Largo is sure to please, whether you diving attraction, the 510-foot U.S.S. choose to fill your days with activities or Spiegel Grove artificial reef. relax in the golden glow of one of our For fishermen, nothing beats the rewards spectacular sunsets. of a day spent hooking snapper, grouper Whether you’re here for a few days – or and amberjack or landing tarpon or one forever – we know you’ll enjoy your stay. Key Largo Chamber of Commerce 1-800-822-1088 www.KeyLargoChamber.org 3 GETTING AROUND TOWN Education Coral Shores High School • 89901 Old Highway, Tavernier 853-3222 Florida Keys Community College • 89901 Old Highway, Tavernier 852-8007 Key Largo Elementary/Middle School • 104801 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo 453-1255 Treasure Village Montessori • 8673 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, FL 33036 852-3482 Emergency Services Ambulance, Fire, Police 911 Mariners Hospital 434-3000 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 956-2500 Key Largo Recompression Chamber • Emergencies 911 • Information 1-800-NO-BENDS Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency) 853-3211 U.S. Post Offices Licenses Key Largo 451-3155 Driver’s licenses 853-3562 Tavernier 853-1052 Fishing licenses 852-7150 Utilities Marriage licenses 852-7145 Amerigas Monroe County 852-2283 Building, Planning & Zoning 453-8800 Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Clerk’s Office 853-7456 853-1996 Code Enforcement 453-8806 Florida Keys Electric Co-op Key Largo Library 451-2396 852-2431 Tax Collector 852-7150 Keys Sanitary Service (solid waste) Voter Registration 453-8740 451-2025 South Florida Water Management District (561) 686-8800 4 Key Largo Chamber of Commerce 1-800-822-1088 www.KeyLargoChamber.org The road to Key Largo tempts with unique diversions.