THE KEYS AND KEYWEST

#5 The Keys and Key West: Dolphins and more

Flipper fans won't want to miss the opportunity to swim and interact with dolphins. Luckily, the
Florida Keys, courtesy of Dolphin World, offer three great ways to swim with dolphins.

If you choose the company's Natural Swim you must be a good swimmer because you will snorkel
with dolphins in a enclosed man-made area for 30 minutes. Contact is initiated by the dolphins not the
humans. This swim prepares you to handle the open ocean wild dolphin swims in the Florida Keys
and the Bahamas.

If you want more guaranteed touch time, opt for the Structured Swim. In this program, you work with
an experienced trainer and trained dolphins. The dolphins respond to food and verbal signals to
perform trained behaviors.

The final experience involves swimming and snorkeling with wild dolphins. A 6-passenger boat takes
you out into the ocean. If all goes well, you'll interact with wild bottled-nosed dolphins.
<http://www.dolphinworld.org/>

There's no doubt about it, you'd be hard pressed to beat the keys for reef diving. Billed as the
"Number-One Dive and Snorkel Destination in the World," the Florida Keys are home to the only
living barrier reef system in the continental United States.

At the southern-most tip of the keys is Key West, beyond that lies the Dry Tortugas. While the
islands may lack water, there's plenty of ocean to go around. Fort Jefferson and the surrounding dive
and snorkel sites make for a nice overnight excursion.

Another site that's good for both divers and snorkelers is Sand Key. This islet, marked by a large iron
lighthouse, consists of 10 miles of coral reefs of varying depths. For another snorkelers' favorite,
check out Nine Foot Stake, a patch reef that's in 10 to 25 feet of water.

For divers, Joe's Tug sits upright in just 65 feet of water. Ten-Fathom Ledge boasts coral caves
and dramatic overhangs. While the Cayman Salvor is a 180-foot steel hulled buoy tender was
intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in 1985. She now sits upright with cavernous open holds
providing refuge for baitfish and grunts, as well as a resident jewfish and green moray eel.
<http://www.keywestchamber.org/>

In the Lower Keys, you won't want to miss the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. (Named
for the HMS Looe which ran aground here in 1744.) The reef is relatively tiny (5.3 sq. nautical
miles), however a ban on spearfishing, coral collection and lobstering, makes the national marine
sanctuary's waters thick with fish. A newer site is the Adolphus Busch SR. Sunk in 1998, the
210-foot freighter sits upright in 110 feet of crystal clear water seven miles southwest of Big Pine
Key. <http://www.lowerkeyschamber.com/>

In Marathon, Sombrero Reef is a perennial dive favorite. Above the water it is marked by a 140-
foot lighted tower. Below the water, coral canyons and archways are home to schools of grunt
and snapper and the occasional barracuda. Coffin's Patch is equally popular with snorkelers.
There are six distinct patch reefs, each with a unique identity defined by a predominant coral
species. Shallow elkhorn are in less than 20 feet of water.
<http://www.floridakeysmarathon.com/>

In Islamorada, be sure to check out Conch Wall and Crocker Wall, a 450-foot-long wall in 50
feet of water. The wall, which has a 30-foot decline, is a favorite hangout for grunts, yellowtail and
grouper. Or, if you'd prefer to explore a wreck, try the Eagle, a 287-foot ship that was scuttled in
110-feet of water to create a dive attraction. The ship rests on her starboard and is home to
schools of grunt, tarpon and jack. <http://www.islamoradachamber.com/>

But two of the Key's most popular dive and snorkel spots by far is John Pennekamp, Coral Reef
State Park and the adjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. In fact, it's so popular that
last year, more than 300,000 people came to here to explore the reefs. Statue of Christ of the
Abyss is a famed bronze statue of Christ in just 25 feet of water. Another favorite, the Benwood
Wreck, was sunk in World War II. However, Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot military vessel, is the
latest addition to Key Largo's line up. It's claim to fame? Due to technical difficulties, it had to be
sunk twice. http://www.dep.state.fl.us or http://www.keylargo.org/ <http://www.keylargo.org/>

More great sites and information:

Fort Jefferson ferries: Yankee Fleet Tortugas Ferry, 800-634-0939, 305-294-7009; or Sunny
Days Catamarans, 800-236-7937, 305-292-6100. Also check out Seaplanes of Key West,
800-950-2FLY, 305-294-0709.

The Florida Keys and Key West Official Homepage http://www.fla-keys.com