Scuba Diving in the Florida Keys
A Deep Blue Dive-Dive Shop
FLORIDA KEYS DIVING WELCOME to the fabulous Florida Keys, with America`s only living coral reef. The Middle Florida Keys is one of the world`s most versatile and breathtaking dive destinations. You will be in awe of the wonderous sights below. So much so, you will want to stay down forever. A Deep Blue Dive Center, located in the city of Key Colony Beach, invites you and your family to dive or snorkel off "Turtle", a roomy 34 ft., six-passenger-maximum dive vessel equipped with a fresh water shower. There is also the The "Sea Diver" a 30 foot, twenty-two passenger vessel or the forty-nine passenger, 45 foot Corinthian Catamaran "Tortuga." We can accomodate any size trip and customize the perfect trip. Keep your eyes open for a dolphin or turtle on the 30 minute ride back to the dock.
Location: 400 Sadowsky Causeway
Location: 400 Sadowsky Causeway
~Alligator Reef~
Alligator Reef Light is located four nautical miles (7 kilometers) east of Indian Key, near the Matecumbe Keys of Florida in the United States, north of Alligator Reef itself. The station was established in 1873. It was automated in 1963 and is still operational. The structure is an iron-pile skeleton with a platform. The light is 136 feet (41 m) above the water. It is a white octagonal pyramid skeleton framework on black pile foundation, enclosing a square dwelling and a stair-cylinder. The lantern is black.
Location: Indian Key, Matecumbe Key
Location: Indian Key, Matecumbe Key
Captain Hooks Dive Shop & Boat Rentals
MARATHON FLORIDA KEYS AND KEY COLONY BEACH BOAT RENTALS AND DIVE SHOP
Charter your own boat with Captain Hook's Boat Rentals. Since the 1950s, Captain Hook's Marina and Dive Center has been the place to get everything you need for a day on the water.
Charters for fishing, diving, snorkeling, dive instruction and certification; bait and tackle; scuba equipment and air tanks; boat rentals; snacks and beverages - they have all the supplies you'll need to enjoy an area celebrated for world-class fishing, diving and all water sports.
They are conveniently located oceanside on the Overseas Highway at the Vaca Cut bridge (MM53), which puts them just minutes from Marathon's incredible reef and prime fishing waters.
Location: Marathon, Florida
Charter your own boat with Captain Hook's Boat Rentals. Since the 1950s, Captain Hook's Marina and Dive Center has been the place to get everything you need for a day on the water.
Charters for fishing, diving, snorkeling, dive instruction and certification; bait and tackle; scuba equipment and air tanks; boat rentals; snacks and beverages - they have all the supplies you'll need to enjoy an area celebrated for world-class fishing, diving and all water sports.
They are conveniently located oceanside on the Overseas Highway at the Vaca Cut bridge (MM53), which puts them just minutes from Marathon's incredible reef and prime fishing waters.
Location: Marathon, Florida
Delta Shoal
Depth: 6-25 feet Skill: Novice
MARATHON & KEY COLONY BEACH FLORIDA KEYS DIVING
Delta shoal is east of the Sombrero Lighthouse and is highlighted by massive coral fingers. Of interest are the two wrecks, the Delta Shoal barge and the Ivory Coast Wreck. The barge lies in shallow waters and is perfect for snorkelers. The Ivory Coast Wreck is a sunken slave ship from 1853.
Location: Marathon, Florida Keys
MARATHON & KEY COLONY BEACH FLORIDA KEYS DIVING
Delta shoal is east of the Sombrero Lighthouse and is highlighted by massive coral fingers. Of interest are the two wrecks, the Delta Shoal barge and the Ivory Coast Wreck. The barge lies in shallow waters and is perfect for snorkelers. The Ivory Coast Wreck is a sunken slave ship from 1853.
Location: Marathon, Florida Keys
Sombrero Reef
Depth: 6-25 feet Skill: Novice Sombrero Reef is marked by the Sombrero Lighthouse. this beautiful reef has fabulous coral structures ans pure white sand. It is full of a variety of marine life and a natural coral bridge eight feet high dubbed "The Arch".
Location: Marathon, FL Keys
Location: Marathon, FL Keys
Thunderbolt Wreck
Depth: 75-120 feet Skill: Advanced
MARATHON, KEY COLONY BEACH FLORIDA KEYS DIVE
This is a 188 foot ship sunk in 1986 and it rests sitting upright and in 120 feet of water. She is 85 feet long and it is possible to enter the hull.
The Thunderbolt was intentionally sunk on March 6, 1986, as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association project. She now lies intact and upright on a sand bottom in 120 feet of water four miles south of Marathon and Key Colony Beach.
According to the National Marine Sanctuary site:
The Thunderbolt`s hull is 189 feet long with a forecastle, which served as the cable handling area, and has a cruiser stern. Prior to being sunk, the ship was stripped of all but a few major pieces of equipment. The most-prominent remaining features are a horizontal cable handling reel which lies at 80 feet and is centered on the after-end of the forecastle deck and the remains of the ship`s superstructure, including the observation deck located at 75 feet.
The aft-end of the superstructure has been cut away, exposing the interior of the hull at the engineering space. The rudder and propellers, which lie at 120 feet, also remain to complement the stern section of the hull.
MARATHON, KEY COLONY BEACH FLORIDA KEYS DIVE
This is a 188 foot ship sunk in 1986 and it rests sitting upright and in 120 feet of water. She is 85 feet long and it is possible to enter the hull.
The Thunderbolt was intentionally sunk on March 6, 1986, as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association project. She now lies intact and upright on a sand bottom in 120 feet of water four miles south of Marathon and Key Colony Beach.
According to the National Marine Sanctuary site:
The Thunderbolt`s hull is 189 feet long with a forecastle, which served as the cable handling area, and has a cruiser stern. Prior to being sunk, the ship was stripped of all but a few major pieces of equipment. The most-prominent remaining features are a horizontal cable handling reel which lies at 80 feet and is centered on the after-end of the forecastle deck and the remains of the ship`s superstructure, including the observation deck located at 75 feet.
The aft-end of the superstructure has been cut away, exposing the interior of the hull at the engineering space. The rudder and propellers, which lie at 120 feet, also remain to complement the stern section of the hull.
