» Diving

Diving Alligator Reef

The Skipper — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:35:57 +0000

Alligator Reef is one of the largest reef systems in the Upper Keys. In the 1960s, a study of Alligator Reef found and identified more than 500 species of marine life. The reef arose around a wrecked ship; the USS Alligator built in 1820, which went down in 1825 while on a Navy mission. This 86-foot ship was attempting to protect a convoy from being raided by pirates. Salvaged after going aground, the crew decided it would be best to blow up the ship in order to protect her from further pirating. The remains of the ship are two piles of ballast stones but the surrounding reef is one of the largest in the area. More…

Alligator Reef is located six miles south-southwest of Windley Key and can be easily identified by the reigning 136-foot tall lighthouse tower. The dive site is a great place for underwater exploring and has many crevices and ravines that beg the diver to investigate. Upon further discovery, the diver will be able to identify hard and soft corals, several shells and a plethora of tropical fish. The depths of the dive range from a shallow eight feet all the way down to forty feet.

Alligator Reef is a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). The SPA covers .2 square nautical miles and contains portions of the northeast rubble ridge, the reef crest, and some of the spur and groove system present in the reef. Mooring buoys mark off the area that is heavily used especially by commercial divers. Activity is rarely restricted for recreational diving as the commercial sectors are blocked off and very few are displaced.

Just 300 yards west-southwest of Alligator Reef is Alligator Gully. Alligator Gully is a great place to dive to see an abundance of Marine life, coral-studded ledges 8-28 feet high, and sweeping coral valleys.

Fast Facts:
Avg Depth: 20 ft. / 6m
Max Depth: 72 ft. / 22m
Skill Level: Novice
Features:
• Coral Reef
• Good Snorkeling
• Marine Preserve
• Mooring Buoys
• Wreck Site

Source: http://www.divespots.com/scuba/spotID-47/view.divespot

Davis Ledge Diving

The Skipper — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:37:11 +0000

If you are looking for schools of fish, Davis Ledge is the place to dive. This reef, located 3 miles east-southeast of Hen and Chickens, Tower attracts large schools of tiny fish reaching numbers in to the thousands. These fish move in unison and are a sight to see.

Davis Reef lies within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). The SPA is about .2 square nautical miles, roughly seven kilometers southeast of Plantation Key and is marked off by yellow buoys. The SPA area is a rectangle and is currently being used for the preservation of the deepwater corals which can be found throughout Davis Reef.

This area is a low-relief transitional reef. It is heavily used by divers and fisherman alike. On a typical dive in Davis Ledge, one would spot several lobsters and eels as well as parrotfish and angelfish. If you are looking for the excitement of coming face to face with a nurse shark, Davis Ledge is a site that almost guarantees this occurrence. An interest sight at Davis Ledge is the Buddha statue which can be approached. Many divers rub Buddha’s belly in search of good luck or fertility while others simply observe the beauty of the area and the giant turtle which can often be seen near the ledge.

The ledge makes a great spot for night diving due to its easy to follow path. It is often possible to see green moray eels out in the open while exploring this region. This area is where many divers complete their scuba certification dives. It is easy to navigate and perfect for a beginning diver or a relaxed shallow dive.

Fast Facts:
Avg Depth: 20 ft. / 6m
Max Depth: 55 ft. / 17m
Skill Level: Novice

Features:
• Coral Reef
• Good Snorkeling
• Good Snorkeling
• Mooring Buoys
GPS Coordinates: N 24° 55.320′ W 080° 30.366′

Key Largo Food & Wine Festival 2008

The Skipper — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:36:14 +0000

CALLING ALL FOOD & WINE LOVERS
30 GREAT REASONS TO COME TO KEY LARGO!

Come on down and enjoy all of all the tasty temptations, and some of your favorite wines, as Key Largo’s culinary experts step up to the plate to show you what Key Largo has to offer 30 wine tasting events in 9 days: cooking demonstrations, wine dinners, progressive wine dinners, food and wine pairing classes, cook book signings, free pour wine tastings, art and wine “shows,” cigars and wine, and of course Key Largo’s famous sunsets, SCUBA diving, tourist attractions, shopping, and a great time.

More info: http://www.fkrm.com/foodandwine

Scuba Diving in Key Largo

The Skipper — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:53:16 +0000

According to Scuba Diving Magazine readers, Key Largo ranks as one of the top dive spots in the Caribbean/Atlantic across many different categories. Each year, the magazine asks readers to rate dive spots in many different categories. As any Florida Keys local knows, Key Largo is probably the best of all the keys, and according to this survey, in the region too. Here’s a breakdown of categories that Key Largo scored well in:

Top Dive Destinations – #6
Top Marine Life – #3
Healthiest Marine Environment
Top Macro Life – #3
Top Wreck Diving – #4
Top Beginner Diving
Top Value – #6
Top Underwater Photography – #1
Top Advanced Diving – #4

Check out thier website if you’re interested in taking part in this poll.