Many open water divers attend Florida diving simply because there are plenty of diving sites situated around the coast of Florida. A little known fact is that apart from being situated in a nice and warm region, Florida has the longest coastline of all the states in the U.S.
Florida Diving: Gulf Stream
When we first look at the Atlantic coastline you will find a series of reef lines creating an outer reef, inner reef and middle reef. These reefs run along the coastline creating different diving experences from north of West Palm Beach all the way down the coastline to The Keys.
A fantastic event up and down this coast is the continuous current of warm water which is The Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream runs close to the shores heading north before veering out into the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream provides a cleansing action for the marine bio system and brings with it nutrients which provides essential food for the growing marine system.
Florida Diving: Shipwrecks and Coral Reefs
Many travelling to Florida diving for the first time are surprised at the range and diversity of dive sites available. Starting at Jupiter and working your way down south along the coastline you will find an incredible span of reefs and shipwrecks to investigate with some scuba dive sites like Governor’s River Walk Reef having well known shipwrecks such as the Shasha boerkanier which is one of three shipwrecks at this dive site.
Inexperienced Florida diving enthusiasts will find a range of gorgeous reefs in West Palm Beach. Reefs such as Breakers Reef covered in marine life. Driving south towards Miami you reach Fort Lauderdale. America’s answer to Venice, this is a scenic place providing a great base for any Florida diving trip.
Ft. lauderdale has interesting scuba dive sites such as Tenneco Towers or Oil Platforms. There are plenty of exciting choices and when you travel further south you get to Miami.
Miami! Probably the only location in the world you would expect to find Army tanks on the seabed.
Miami is a terrific area to visit on a Florida diving holiday with locations like South Beach with its Art Deco and the many Miami attractions. There is also a vast choice of diving sites due to the continuing artificial reef program. Beyond Miami and travelling further south, no Florida diving schedule would excude a visit to Key Largo or Key West.
Florida Diving: Key Largo
Key Largo has long been known as “The Scuba Diving Capital of the World” and when you see the choice of scuba dive sites it’s easy to see why. Any Florida diving trip to Key Largo has to consist of a dive or snorkeling trip to Christ of the Abyss, one the most celebrated underwater statues in the world. Sunk in comparatively shallow waters this statue is one of the most visited and photographed statues anywhere.
Molasses Reef is the area to visit if you love underwater photography. The shallow waters and first-class lighting makes this a striking reef on which to take macro photographs of the marine life. Key Largo is the most excellent known by the Florida diving community for its wide range of scuba dive sites but Key West is the place to go for the nightlife and culture if you do trek to The Keys.
If you want the opportunity to enjoy yourself both in and out of the water then Key West provides good scuba dive sites, snorkeling and some of the best night entertainment you are likely to encounter. Preparing a Florida diving trip can be difficult with so much choice and this was a very quick look the Atlantic coast. In another article we will look at what’s available on the west coast, The Gulf of Mexico.



