Built in 1873, Alligator Reef Lighthouse stands guard in honor of its namesake, the USS Alligator. In 1822, just two years out of the shipyard, the Navy schooner was on rounds to recapture and free ships that were taken in the pirate-heavy seas of the Caribbean....
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Diving, Islamorada, Lighthouses, Reefs, Ship Wrecks
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Ever wondered about Florida Keys Names and why certain locations are named as they are? You may be on vacation in the Florida Keys, or a resident, and asked that question. If you’re boating and come across Alligator Reef, don’t think the name means it’s...
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Florida Keys, History, Reefs, Ship Wrecks
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In celebration of World Oceans Day, Coral Restoration Foundation is hosting its third-annual Coralpalooza event during the weekend of June 2. The event “aims to bring recreational divers and ocean conservation-minded individuals together to promote coral reef restoration and ocean preservation,” according to the foundation’s...
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Diving, Environment, Key Largo, Reefs
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Snorkeling and Scuba diving unlocks a new world, one that offers amazing adventures and underwater encounters. Explore beautiful coral reefs full of candy-colored sea fans, schools of exotic fish and friendly creatures. Swim face-to-face with a sea turtle or saying hello to a stingray hiding...
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Diving, Islamorada, Key Largo, Key West, Looe Key, Reefs
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I have been in love with the Florida Keys most of my life. Having been born and raised in South Florida, the natural beauty of the area has captivated me since early childhood. The fortune of growing up in a boating family instilled me with...
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Boating, Diving, Everglades, Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo, Parks, Reefs, Tourism
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Not all reefs are created equal, a distinction that fish seem to recognize but until now scientists largely overlooked. In a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers found that if managed properly, Caribbean reefs could support from 60 to 90 percent more sharks,...
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Florida Keys, Reefs
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Five species of endangered sea turtles are found throughout the marine waters of the Florida Keys, including the hawksbill, green turtle, Kemp’s Ridley, loggerhead, and leatherback. Loggerhead turtles are the most abundant of all the marine turtle species in U.S. waters. But persistent population...
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Key Largo, Keys Critters, Reefs
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Between the islands and barrier reef of the Florida Keys are grassy shallows, patch reefs and isolated coral heads. Though these hazards show on nautical charts, changes occur between publications. One skill you can learn to help avoid these dangers is eyeball navigation, a method...
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Boating, Florida Bay, Reefs
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Assorted Florida Keys Sea Creatures seen while diving a few Ledges off Key Largo, FL – Dec 2016 – Video by Peter Bonacum. Can you name them?
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Diving, Key Largo, Keys Critters, Reefs
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One of my favorite activities is fish watching on the beautiful coral reefs of the Florida Keys. To me, parrotfish (algae grazers) are the most entertaining fish species to observe. It’s fun watching them zoom around, using their pectoral fins for propulsion. There are 13...
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Environment, Florida Keys, Reefs
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Islamorada Alligator Reef – This was my second ever snorkeling trip and I feel that I have now just about advanced from ‘wimp’ status to ‘slightly nervous snorkeler clenching a noodle’. I smugly noticed that some people were more wimpy than me on this trip....
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Diving, Islamorada, Lighthouses, Reefs
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I have wanted to go out to the reef snorkeling for the longest time. After all, our wonderful Florida Keys reef is not only the ONLY living reef system in the continental US, no, it is also the third largest in the world (after the Great Barrier...
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Diving, Key Largo, Reefs
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How many species of sealife can you ID in this #FloridaKeys Reef snorkeling video? Some footage from snorkeling at Key Largo Dry Rocks, as well as Elbow Reef on August 19th, 2016.
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Diving, Key Largo, Reefs
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The Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation has received permission from the Coast Guard to replace the zinc anodes on the Florida Keys Reef Lighthouses Carysfort, Alligator, Sombrero and American Shoal reef lights, according to foundation officials. Zinc anodes, which serve as a sacrificial metal, are...
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History, Lighthouses, Reefs
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South Florida’s coral reef is one of the longest and most heavily visited in the world. Excited crowds head out to this gorgeous, but sensitive, living structure in increasingly greater numbers. How lucky we are to have such a breathtaking natural area on our doorstep....
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Diving, Environment, Reefs
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On Monday, June 13 scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory launched a coral restoration project at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West, Florida with a goal of creating a publicly accessible coral restoration site at the State Park while demonstrating the techniques of...
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Environment, Key West, Reefs
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The following is a sample of some of the Florida Keys Summer Camps. Marathon sailing Summer sailing in Marathon’s Boot Key Harbor will begin with the first two week session beginning June 13 – June 24. Each session will consist of 10 three hour classes in...
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Big Pine Key, Camping, Diving, Education, Environment, Islamorada, Key Largo, Key West, Marathon, Reefs
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Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary supports one of the most diverse assemblages of underwater plants and animals in North America. Here are simple ways you can have a fantastic time enjoying the Florida Keys while still Protecting the Reef. Protecting the Reef – Keep your...
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Diving, Environment, Reefs
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Caribbean Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays and Goliath Groupers on Looe Key reef.
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Diving, Reefs
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A surprise discovery along the south Florida coast has revealed dense thickets of a species of Staghorn coral thought to be disappearing from the region’s reefs. More than 38 acres of staghorn coral have been found in patches on the reefs from northern Miami-Dade County...
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Reefs
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