THE UPPER KEYS ASSOCIATION OF DIVE AND SNORKEL OPERATORS

THE UPPER KEYS ASSOCIATION OF DIVE AND SNORKEL OPERATORS is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization made up of professional SCUBA diving and SNORKELING operations in the upper Florida Keys.  We are dedicated to providing you and your family with the guidance, suggestions and ideas that will help you plan a safe and enjoyable vacation adventure to the Upper Keys.

As a non-profit organization our Mission is to work together and team with other organizations to ensure the Upper Keys diving & snorkeling community remains the Dive Capital of the World

The Association works closely with other organizations, such the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, to protect our beautiful reefs and shipwrecks for generations to come.  You can be rest assured that when you board one of our boats for your adventure, you are boarding a U.S. Coast Guard certified vessel

The Upper Florida Keys are located from mile marker 106 just north of Key Largo to mile marker 72 just south of Islamorada. This area encompasses some 34 miles of coral reef and is home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State park, hundreds of coral reef dive sites, as well as, the wrecks of the Spiegel Grove, Benwood, Duane, Bibb, and Eagle.

The range of diving and snorkeling opportunities in the Florida Keys is exceptional. There’s something here for everyone—from novice snorkelers to seasoned divers with hundreds of hours under their weight belts. Snorkelers will enjoy the many shallow reef crests, where you simply float on the surface surrounded by colorful reef fish and view the lovely corals a few feet below. Divers of all skill levels explore the same reefs in depths from 15 to 35 feet (5 to 11m), while experienced divers tour the coral-covered slopes between 35 and 70 feet (11 and 21m). Advanced divers will appreciate the extraordinary marine life in the region and can hone their skills on many deeper wrecks and reefs.

Don’t expect to find miles of wide sandy beach here, however. There are a few nice beaches in Key West and the Dry Tortugas, and several resorts have even imported their own small beaches. But the expansive beaches of the Florida mainland stop after Key Biscayne. That’s OK, though, because no one from the Keys would trade their coral reefs for a beach.

Reproduced with permission from Diving & Snorkeling Florida Keys 2001 Lonely Plant Publications www.lonelyplanet.com

Come along with us and let us show you how to have a dive and snorkel adventure of a lifetime!