Discover Florida Diving-Casey Coy

Discover Florida Diving

Author: Casey Coy-Dive Coordinator for the Florida Aquarium

Sit back and imagine...sorry, wrong choice of words. Sit back and dream about floating above Technicolor living reefs through warm, cobalt blue tropical water. Picture yourself exploring an environment that few people on this earth have ever seen, the lime stone caves, caverns and springs that comprise the Florida aquifer. Visualize the adrenaline rush and feel your heart beat quicken as a sunken ship slowly materializes out of the empty void below you … Now wake up, these dreams are

a reality for those of us lucky enough to reside or visit the sunshine state. Florida is home to some of the best diving in the United States. The Florida Key’s, "Conch Republic", has the most extensive coral reef system in the United States. In 1960 John Pennekamp coral reef state park was founded, becoming one of the first underwater national parks.

The park boundaries include 75 square miles of ocean, extending throughout Key Largo up to three miles offshore. You will find everything from shallow coral reef systems such as Molasses reef in Pennekamp Park to deeper wreck dives like the Duane and the Bib. With over 50 species of coral and over 500 species of fish the diversity of life is incredible. If a "Jimmy Buffet" Caribbean island style dive experience is what you’re looking for the key’s is where you want to be.

The entire east coast of Florida is home to both shore diving and drift diving. Many wrecks, reefs and ledges follow the coastline from south Miami as far north as Jacksonville. Keep an eye out for bigger Pelagic’s in the Gulf Stream current the follows the east Florida coast line.

	Florida’s west coast possesses an entirely different diving environment then the keys or the east coast. The Gulf of Mexico is very shallow and bottom composition is primarily sand with a few natural ledges. Artificial reefs and wrecks scatter the entire Gulf coast. Divers will find
that these artificial reefs are much like an underwater oasis in the desert, nurse sharks, barracuda, southern stingrays, loggerhead turtles, cobia, and if your lucky, and occasional hammerhead shark are among the common sightings. Keep you eyes peeled for the unique Gulf toadfish that is found only in the Gulf of Mexico

The most unique diving experience in Florida is found in the north central freshwater springs, caverns, caves, and rivers. There are over 120 dive sights in this part of the state. The year round constant cool water

temperatures, crystal clear visibility and sense of adventure draw divers from around the world. The shallow caverns and springs offer some of the safest diving and training sights, due to there lack of current, shallow depths and clear water. It’s not uncommon to see loads of divers earning their certification cards at these sights on the weekends. For those that are looking for a little more adventure many of these springs lead into elaborate underground cave systems that make up the Florida aquifer. Specialized cave diving equipment and training are necessary to dive these systems.

ONLY FULLY TRAINED CAVE DIVERS SHOULD ENTER THESE CAVES. SEVERAL UNTRAINED DIVERS DIE EACH YEAR FROM ENTERING CAVE SYSTEMS. Both cave and cavern training is available at many of these dive sights. Most of these springs will take you through the central and
north Florida woodlands, be sure to bring your camping gear because many of the larger springs are also campgrounds with electrical and freshwater hookups for your camper. No matter if you’re diving for the day or camping for the weekend Florida’s freshwater springs are a diving experience that’s unique, and can’t be missed.

For details regarding Florida’s dive spots check Ned Deloach’s " Diving Guide to Underwater Florida" in IAN’s bookstore. Also check out the states premiere dive centers on the IAN website. Safe Diving!

-Casey Coy

e-mail Casey Coy