EcoGuide Florida Keys

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Welcome to America’s island paradise and thank you forpicking up this copy of EcoGuide Florida Keys! It has beena challenging year for the Keys with erroneous reports of oil balls and impend-ing environmental doom — but I am so pleased to tell you that none ofthese reports actually materialized!

All is well and thriving here in the Keys and the reports just keepgetting better, from a healthy reef system — go out for yourself andlook at all of the new corals growing everywhere — to the sprawling man-grove forests!

We do have some of the most inviting waterfront resorts, quaint B&B’sand eateries that will send you home with a different perspective on dining! Butthe greatest asset we have here in the Keys is Mother Nature — just askJimmy Buffet. What do you think “Mother, Mother Nature” was about?

I am sure you came to the Keys to get into the water! We haveplenty of that here and all of the activities that go with it! So get out,get wet and have fun! PS: Please tell our advertisers you read aboutthem in the EcoGuide — they alone make this guide possible!

Enjoy Paradise — Enjoy the Florida Keys!Richard H. Stewart, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

I have been an admirer of the environment since I was achild. I developed a passion for the environment in high school.As an adult I took that passion and became an advocate. As a nine year resi-dent of the Florida Keys, I have been living in one of the most environmentallysensitive places in the world.

Since I moved here, I have learned so much. I am very thankful for theopportunities of enlightenment I have had. My eyes have been opened beyondwhat I could have dreamed. This heightened awareness has led to my makingconscious choices everyday for the betterment of my community, my environ-ment, and my planet. I have a voice and the ability to spread the “good greenword.”

I am very excited to be the Regional Publisher of the EcoGuide FloridaKeys. This publication supports and encompasses education, economy and theenvironment. The day I met Richard Stewart, my life changed forever. He hasgiven me an opportunity to continue to spread the “good green word” nation-wide. We are all connected on this planet. This publication allows you to thinkglobally, but act locally. As you travel to the Florida Keys, slow down, look aroundand participate in environmental preservation. Life is full of adventures, justtread softly through them!

Christi Allen, Regional Plublisher & Editor

Welcome to Paradise

EcoGuide | 3 | Florida Keys

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EcoGuide Florida Keys is published bi-annually by Ocean Realm Media, PO Box 2388,New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170. Content may not be copied without written permis-sion. ECOGUIDE is a trademark of Ocean Realm Media. Ph: 352.817.5893. EcoGuides are printed on 100% FSC certified paper in compliance with the environ-mental and social standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The Florida Keys are sometimes referred to as “America’s tropical paradise”and for good reason. Stretching more than 107 miles from Key Largo to KeyWest, the “cays” or keys, dot the waterscape like tropical stepping stones intothe Caribbean. The deep blue water along the Atlantic side, the teal color of thebayside and the green palm trees together give you the feeling that you are traveling an oversea highway to the Caribbean.

The Florida Keys are composed of five separate districts in the county ofMonroe. Starting in the north is Key Largo/Tavernier, followed by Islamorada,Marathon, Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys, and at the southernmost — KeyWest. Each town displays characteristics that sets it apart, as do the aquaticand touring activities. Each has its own allure, such as the diving and snorkelingreputation of Key Largo; the fishing in Islamorada or the kayaking around BigPine. Of course, in reality you can dive, kayak and experience nature tours fromone end to another.

How the keys were formed is a time-line that dates back millions of yearswhen the planet was one ocean. Following the ice age along with the continentaldrifts of North and South America, parts of the Keys — notably the Upper Keysarea of Key Largo — were formed by sedimentary materials covering a solidbase. This process took a long period of time. Thousands of acres of coralforests that covered this submerged region eventually formed into the presentday land mass now referred to as Key Largo Limestone. Additionally, as the glaciers reformed, taking water from the ocean, the lowering sea level exposedthe shallower middle keys coral forests eventually creating today’s low elevationland mass of the middle keys. From the Big Pine Key area to Key West, the geographic profile is a combination of sand and Oolite — calcium carbonate deposits lying on top of Key Largo Limestone — forming today’s channel-riddenshoals and islands.

The Florida KeysThe Origins Of


How the Florida Keys were formed geologically is

an important part of understanding the fragile

environment the keys are today. The keys of today may

host thriving and growing communities but these

modern day land masses are still connected to the

existence of the marine life community as coral reef

forests still thrive just offshore.

Coral is a marine organism — not a rock as many

believe after observing the skeletal remains of the dead

coral. The coral animal is called a Polyp with the outer

skeleton the actual coral. The coral polyp is a

carnivorous animal that feeds off of smaller organisms

and as they grow, secretes the limestone-like material

that forms the hard coral. In order for coral to grow, it

depends on a warm and healthy environment free of

pollution.

Keys-wide there are many initiatives in place to

assure the long-term survival of the reef and backwater

systems. New facilities and a network of pipes have

been constructed to gather stormwater and reduce

waste material from leaching into the coastal water.

Along with new roads are retention ponds designed to

minimize the distribution of oil-tainted roadway run-off

water which can cause the degradation of the

mangrove and reef system and its fragile relationship

with the overall coastal and bayside eco-system.

Other initiatives, such as the Sanctuary Friends

Foundation’s environmental-embedment installation

program and the Audubon of Florida’s Key’s

Environmental Restoration projects, have further

assisted in slowing damage from population

encroachment. The Sanctuary Friends moorings

program was created to support the Florida Keys

National Marine Sanctuary’s efforts to place new and

replace deteriorated moorings — thus limiting reef

damage from boat anchors.

Because of the Caribbean-like tropical

environment, the Keys host a variety of flora and fauna

— many considered invasive. The Audubon Society of

Florida’s program is to fund the restoration and

enhancement of the Florida Keys natural areas.

From the filling in of man-made canals and the removal

of non-native vegetation to the replenishment of sea

grasses — more than 30 projects have all contributed

to protecting the natural environment of the Keys.

AMERICA’S TROPICAL PARADISE


IMAGE BY RICHARD STEWART


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The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary initiative ofthe Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) thatdesignates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a com-mitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources.The program’s environmental guidelines allow the hospitalityindustry to evaluate its operations, set goals and take specificactions to continuously improve environmental performance.

Directory of Florida KeysGreen Lodges

Vacationing away from home

doesn’t mean travelers have to

give up being environmentally

conscientious according to DEP

Director of Sustainable Initiatives,

Deas Bohn. “Staying in a

designated Green Lodging facility allows vacationers

to conserve water and energy while protecting the

state’s natural resources so that Florida remains a

beautiful travel destination for future generations.”

Please Consider Supporting a Green Lodge

When Planning Your Visit to the Florida Keys.


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efore Henry Flagler completed his overseas

railroad in 1913, travel to the Keys was

without a doubt a challenge. The eleven mile

road from Florida City to Card Sound met up

with the Key Largo Ferry until the wooden draw

bridge was completed in 1928. Flagler’s

railroad project linked Miami to Key West at a

cost of 50 million dollars only to be destroyed

by a hurricane in 1935. By 1938, the state had

finished what is now known as the Overseas

Highway. Today, driving to the Keys, and into

Key Largo is a twenty minute ride from Florida

City along newly paved and widened roads.

Key Largo is the first of five districts in

Monroe County, lying between mile markers

107 and 89, and is most commonly referred to

as the “Dive Capital of the World” because of its

expanse of healthy tropical reefs just off the

coast. Some say Key Largo was made

famous by the Humphrey Bogart movie of the

same name but, there is no doubt to the local

“conch” residents that Key Largo’s attraction

is a combination of both its thriving reefs and its

local charm.

Every year, tens of thousands head to Key

Largo to scuba dive, snorkel, kayak and fish.

Dotted all along the overseas highway can be

found great seafood and specialty restaurants,

dive operators, fishing charters and gift shops.

If you are a scuba diver or snorkeler you can

relish the fact you are in the most sub-tropical

environment in the continental U.S. The reef

system is amazing, offering excellent shallow

reef dives with mounds of Staghorn and Elkhorn

corals, sponges and an array of fish life. Some

of the most interesting reefs have tunnels run-

ning throughout — a product of the ocean erod-

ing the limestone base. The marine life is

vibrant — Grouper, Yellow Tail Snapper, Green

Moray Eels and even Nurse Sharks linger in the

sandy valleys between the coral mounds. It all

makes for an exciting dive for all.

Key Largoand Tavernier

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Key Largo Chamber of Commerce | www.FloridaKeys.org



Let’s not overlook

snorkeling! If you are not

a SCUBA diver but would

like to see Key Largo’s

natural wonders beneath

the surface — then you

are a candidate to

become a snorkeler! No

training is required —

though it will be helpful to

have someone show you

how to clear the water out of the snorkel. Key Largo

has the most famous protected reefs in the

continental U.S. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park

— named after a visionary Miami Herald journalist —

has a world renown reputation for its incredible reef

life and, as a snorkeler there are so many wonderful

shallow water sites to experience that do not require

SCUBA certification.

As you drive from south Miami along the Overseas

Highway towards Key Largo enjoy the panoramic views

to the west — part of the Everglades and the Florida

Bay. This is one of the best kayaking environments

South Florida has to offer. From Key Largo up to

Florida City there are many bays, lagoons, marsh lakes

and canals to kayak, one could spend a life time

paddling and still not see it all. Key Largo has the

location advantage for kayaking as there are hundreds

of trails and launches and an endless array of wildlife

to view along the way. One day you are paddling

throughout the maze of mangroves in the bay, the next

day you are paddling and hiking the razor grass trails

of the Everglades — all within 30 minutes of Key Largo.

Diving and kayaking are just two of the many

activities Key Largo has to offer. Birding — otherwise

known as the art of observing wild birds — is an

activity that everyone from eight to eighty can enjoy

and appreciate. The Keys, and in particular Key Largo,

offer an amazing and diverse population of feathered

friends.

The water around Key Largo is an ecologically

fascinating place where freshwater from the

Everglades mixes with the saltwater of Florida Bay.

Ever since John James Audubon visited the Keys in

1832, birders have been taking notes — on the bird

life of the Upper Florida Keys. The birds diversity of this

coastal landscape is due to habitat nesting, and

migration.

The wildlife in the Florida Keys varies with the

contrast in habitat. It is in the protected shallow flats

and mangrove shoreline of the Upper Keys where

most of the water bird species inhabit coastal

Florida. Within the Florida Keys there are seven types

of herons and four types of Egrets, along with

Cormorants, Osprey, Frigate Birds, Vultures, Roseate

Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, Kites, Owls, Hawks, Stilts,

Brown Pelicans, White Ibis and many more species.

The Upper Keys are most interesting in terms of wild

life, trees and flowers and there are over eighteen

million visitors a year that “flock” here for

bird-watching vacations!

Every year, the Upper Keys are visited by

shorebirds traveling from North America to South

America. Hawks, songbirds and shorebirds stop here

on their migration south as the Keys are an important

feeding and resting place for these migrating birds —

many of whom fly thousands of miles round trip from

place to place.

But for many who visit Key Largo fishing is what

counts the most! The Key Largo and Islamorada Flats,

Flamingo & Everglades National Park are among their

favorites — as is the deep sea fishing along the

Atlantic. Backcountry and flats fishing the water of Key

Largo is not only one of the best experiences you can

have fishing, it is also a lot of fun. Whether you come

with your own boat or charter an entire boat, you are

sure to come back with catch of Bonefish, Tarpon,

Permit, Snook, Redfish or Trout!

Conservation efforts designed to enhance fish

stocks have been driving the fishing ethic in the Keys

for decades. Keys guides pioneered catch-and-

release fishing. Size and bag limits, and more recently

bans on gill nets and fish traps in state water, have

enabled stocks to grow and stabilize.


IMAGE BY TOM STACK

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BeachesJohn Pennekamp Park

Key Largo is better know for the blue-

green water than white sand beaches.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

has a man-made, beach called Canon

Beach. For information call:

305-451-6300. Located at 102601

Overseas Highway (MM 102.6).

BirdingMost popular bird watching areas

around Key Largo area are Crocodile

Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Dagny

Johnson, Key Largo Hammocks Botanical

State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef

State Park, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

and Windley Key Fossil Reef

Geological State Park. Expect to see

Frigatebirds, “Great White” Heron,

Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills,

White-crowned Pigeons, Mangrove

Cuckoos, Antillean Nighthawks, Gray

Kingbirds, Black-whiskered Vireos and

Yellow Warblers.

For more information, call: Florida Keys

Wild Bird Center at 305.852-4486,

93600 Overseas Hwy (MM 93.6

Bayside), www.flwbc.org. Note: FKWBC

is on the edge of the Tavernier city

limits. Highly reccommended even if

staying in Key Largo.

Boating

If you brought your own boat there are

three ramps available for launching. Card

Sound boat ramp on Card Sound Road,

Bayside at Sunset Point Park (MM 95.2)

and at Harry Harris Park (MM 92.5). If

you are looking for a rental contact:

Tiki Watersports at 305.852.9298

(MM 94.2).

FishingKey Largo has some of the best fishing

in the Keys. Offshore, you will find Sailfish,

Dolphin (mahi-mahi), Tuna, Wahoo, King

Mackerel and Blue Marlin. On the bayside

you find Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit and


BEACHES | BIRDING | BOATING | FISHING | ECOTOURS

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more. Deep sea fishing charters,

backcountry and reef fishing — Key

Largo offers the experienced guides.

Eco & Glass

Bottom Boat ToursThe waters around Key Largo is an

ecologically fascinating place where

freshwater from the Everglades mixes

with the saltwater of Florida Bay.

Everglades National Park just west of

Key Largo. An array of wildlife is within

easy reach of the dock, including

Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Crocodiles, Sea

Turtles, Alligators, and Manatees. Highly

skilled boat captains and eco-tour

outfitters are available. For more

information contact:

Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort,

305.451-3595, 104250 Overseas

Highway (MM 105-104),

wwwAmoray.com, or Captain Slate’s

Atlantis Dive Center, 305.451.3020,

51 Garden Cove Drive,

www.CaptainSlate.com.

Kayaking

Key Largo and Everglades National Park

are year round sea kayaking regions.

Whether you bring your own kayak or

rent one from an outfitter and join a

guided tour, there are dozens of

locations to satisfy all levels of ability —

from an easy 2 mile trip to a 10 mile

trek! From Key Largo to Tavernier, there

are the favorite paddle trails. Starting

from the north, just as you enter Key

Largo there is Garden Cove, reached via

Garden Cove Drive. This is a pleasant,

mostly protected trail of around 2.5

miles. Further south, near the Florida

Bay Outfitters location (adjacent to the

Caribbean Club, MM 104) there is a

launch site that will get you headed

toward Dusenberry Creek. This is a

moderate paddle of around 5.5 miles.

Near the middle of Key Largo is Sunset

Park, Swash Key and Plantation Key

(MM 95.3) lie about 1.5 miles away. On

the north side of Tavernier, launching

from Harry Harris County Park, there is

a pleasant soft paddle — Dove Creek,

that is approximately a 2 mile trip. One

of the benefits of basing your kayak

adventures in Key Largo is the proximity

of the Florida Everglades National Park

with nearly100 miles of kayak trails and

ECO & GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOURS | KAYAKING

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an abundance of wildlife. For more

information on the various trails, tours

and rentals contact:

Coastal Kayaking, 305.894.5045, or

Florida Bay Outfitters, 305.451.3018.

Paddle Boarding

One of the fast-growing water sports,

stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is an easy

way to play on the water. With a

minimum of equipment, you can paddle

anything from ocean surf to the bayside

flats. This is an amazing full body workout

and since you’re standing at your full

height, you’ll enjoy excellent views of

marine life, as well as along the shore on

the horizon. For more information

on paddle boarding call: Florida Bay

Outfitters, 305.451.3018, or

Mangrove Watersports at

305.283.3518,

ParksThe Dagny Johnson Key Largo

Hammock Botanical State Park is

located on County Road 905, one-quarter

mile north of the intersection with the

Overseas Highway (US 1).

The Everglades National Park.

The only ecosystem of its kind in the

world, encompasses more than 1.4

million acres. Visitors see bald eagles and

nearly 300 additional species of birds, as

well as Alligators, Deer and Bobcats.

Gateway — Florida City.

Harry Harris Park Beach

This Tavernier Beach is inside the

Monroe County's Harry Harris park and

is another man-made beach on the

Atlantic Ocean. There is a wide expanse

of white sand with a number of covered

picnic tables and a bath house. (Mile

Marker 92.5 oceanside).

PADDLE BOARDING | PARKS


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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

As one of Florida's most fascinating

natural parks, this preserve includes the

Coral Reef Theater, a reconstruction of a

living reef in a 30,000 gallon aquarium,

snorkeling, diving, glassbottom boat

tours, kayak, canoe, camping, fishing and

more (MM 102.5).

SailingKey Largo offers catamaran charters

as well as mono hull and Hobie Cat

rentals.

Scuba & SnorkelingWithout a doubt Key Largo’s most

recognized activity is SCUBA diving. From

the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State

Park — great for snorkeling — to the first

few stops on the Wreck Trek, Key Largo

has it all. Beautiful shallow reefs teaming

with fish, the 100 year old wreck of the

Benwood, to Key Largo’s greatest

artificial reef — the Spiegel Grove.

At 510 feet in length and an 84 foot

beam, the Spiegal Grove is one of the

largest artificial reefs in the world. The

Duane, a Coast Guard Cutter that was

named after the Secretary of the

Treasury under President Andrew

Jackson, is near the Bib, a patrol and

escort ship that served in the North

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean

Sea, Viet Nam and the Pacific Ocean. If

you are not a certified SCUBA diver, Key

Largo a great place to begin! A resort

course offers you an opportunity to “TRY

SCUBA” under the supervision of a

certified instructor who will provide pool

training and a closely monitored open

water experience. Just enought to wet

your appetite so when you go home you

can get an Open Water certification.

For more information about SCUBA and

snorkeling contact the following

oporators:

Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center

305.451.3020

Florida Keys Dive Center

305-453-3535

Horizon Divers, 305-453-3535

Island Ventures, 305.451.4957

Keys Diver and Snorkel Center

305-451-1177

Scuba Do Diving Company

305-451-3446


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SAILING | SCUBA & SNORKELING

The two day spiny lobster sport season is

always the last consecutive Wednesday and

Thursday in July. It begins at 12:01 am on the

last Wednesday in July and ends at 12:00

midnight on the last Thursday in July. The bag

limits are 6 per person per day for Monroe

County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per

person per day for the rest of Florida. The

possession limit on the water is equal to the daily

bag limit, and off the water is equal to the daily

bag limit on the first day, and double the daily bag

limit on the second day.

Lobster Seasons


Possession limits are enforced on and off the

water. Spiny lobster have a minimum size limit —

larger than a 3" carapace, measured in the

water. Reminder: possession and use of a

measuring device is required at all times, and

night diving is prohibited in Monroe County (only

during the sport season). A recreational

saltwater license and a crawfish permit are

needed for harvest.

Regular spiny lobster season is ALWAYS

August 6 through March 31. The bag limit is 6

per person per day. Harvest of lobster is

prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State

Park during the sport season. Harvest is also

prohibited during both the 2-day sport season

and regular season in Everglades National Park,

Dry Tortugas National Park, and no take areas in

the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Call

(305) 743-2437 or visit www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov

for information about no take areas in the Florida

Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Call the

Marathon Law Enforcement office at (305) 289-

2320 for more lobster harvesting regulations for

Monroe County.

LOBSTER BAG LIMITS - Mini Season

2-Day Sport Season (July 26 –27)

Monroe County, 6 per person per day

Biscayne National Park, 6 per person per day

Elsewhere, 12 per person per day

Regular Season (August 6 – March 31)

Monroe County, 6 per person per day

Biscayne National Park, 6 per person per day

Elsewhere, 6 per person per day

Regardless of what species you are fishing

for, bag limits are only for properly licensed

individuals and those people exempt from license

requirements who are actively harvesting, and

those people harvesting may not exceed their

individual bag limit and take someone else’s bag

limit. That is, people (including children) who are

not actively harvesting or are not properly

licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be

counted for purposes of bag limits.


Florida Keys Wreck TrekWIth the addition of the Vandenberg, the Florida Keys

“Wreck Treck” now totals ten in all. Most of the wreckdives are within the acceptable “open water” standardsbut require “advanced open water” in many instances. Following is a list of wrecks, in each district, as well as diveoperators that serve the area.

Key Largo

Spiegel Grove: Length: 510'.

Vessel Type: Landing-ship-dock liberty ship.

Year Sunk: June 10, 2002, Depth: 130'.

Benwood: Length Overall: 360'.

Vessel Type: Freighter.

Year Sunk: 1941, Depth: 50'.

Key Largo, Tavernier & Islamorada

Bibb and Duane: Length Overall: 327'.

Vessel Type: Treasury Class U.S. Coast Guard cutter.

Year Sunk: Nov. 27, 1987

Max. Depth: Bibb 130, Duane 120'.

Eagle: Length Overall: 269'.


Year Sunk: Dec. 19, 1985, Depth: 110'.

Marathon

Thunderbolt

Length Overall: 188'.

Vessel Type: Cable layer

Year Sunk: March 3, 1986, Depth: 120'.

Big Pine

Adolphus Busch: Length Overall: 210'.


Year Sunk: Dec. 5, 1998, Depth: 105'.

Key West

Cayman Salvager: Length Overall: 187'.

Vessel Type: U.S. Coast Guard steel-hulled buoy tender.

Year Sunk: August 1985, Depth: 90'.

Joe's Tug: Length Overall: 65'.

Vessel Type: Steel tugboat.

Year Sunk: Jan. 21, 1989, Max. Depth: 60'.

Vandenberg: Length Overall: 522’.

Vessel Type: Missile Tracker

Year Sunk: May 2009, Depth: 90'.




s you go further south into the Keys string

you depart the “Diving Capital of the World”

and enter the “Sport Fishing Capital of the

World” as Islamorada is known.

Islamorada (mile markers 90 to 72) was

incorporated in 1997 as “Islamorada, Village of

Islands” — though the first post office was

established in 1908. It is comprised of four

separate islands with residents, two islands that

are part of the Florida State Park system —

Indian Key and Lignum Vitae Key — and one

private island, Tea Table Key.

The diving in this area is also fantastic, as is

kayaking and other aquatic activities such as

Kite Boarding and Paddle Boarding. However

when you enter Islamorada you are without any

doubt in fishing country.

Evidence of just that can be seen in the vari-

ous marinas — headquarters for over 100

charter fishing operators. There is no shortage

of fishing opportunities with 16 marinas in

Islamorada alone. What type of fishing is best?

It depends on the desired catch: party boats

trawl along the coast; deep sea sportfishing

charters that go miles out; patch reef fishing or

on the Florida Bay side backcountry fishing —

home to a variety fish including, Bonefish, Trout,

Redfish, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Permit and

Mangrove Snapper.

Whether you are a seasoned or amateur

fisherman there is no shortage of choices —

and whether you are a “catch and release”

or a “catch and eat” fisherman the Islamorada

fishing scene will fulfill all of your catch

expectations.

If fishing is not your idea of getting close to

nature, then a day of kayaking the back

country might be of interest. On the bayside

of Islamorada there is a network of islands,

one 2.5 miles in diameter is only a mile from

the main island. This makes for a pleasant

experience for the beginner taking a guided tour.

Islamorada

Islamorada Chamber Of Commerce | www.IslamoradaChamber.org


A


For the seasoned kayaker, you’ll want to do a little

“island hopping” to fulfill your day.

Scuba diving and snorkeling is excellent in this area

due to its location south of the reef system of Key Largo.

Here dive operators can venture north to the park, an

area less frequented by the Key Largo operators or head

out for a shorter ride to the reefs just five minutes from

the dock. High profile coral heads and broad ledges with

virbrant marine life provide a wonderful dive experience.

An underwater shipwreck park, named after the sunken

Spanish ship “San Pedro,” is located in 18 feet of water

approximately 1.25 miles south of Indian Key.

Islamorada, in addition to being home for two state

parks, is also the place to find one of the best beaches in

the area — Anne’s Beach. Great for lounging in the water

or having a picnic, Anne’s Beach’s shallow, sandy bottom

is also the most popular location for kite boarding and the

ever so fast activity of stand up paddling.




BEACHES | BIKING | BOATING | FISHING

BeachesAnne’s Beach

MM 73.5

A public beach popular for swimming,

kiteboarding and picnicing. Public

restrooms. Pet friendly.

Founders Park

MM 87, Bayside.

www.Islamorada.fl.us.

Public beach and park, watersports

rentals, marina, boat ramp, fitness and

walking trails, dog park and amphitheater.

Holiday Isle Beach

MM84.5

A private beach open to the public,

including the watersports facility,

restrooms, marina and tiki bar.

Library Beach

MM 81.5, Bayside.

Public beach, playground picnic facilities,

and restrooms.

Settler’s Park & Beach

MM 90.5

Natural coral coastline.

Tea Table Fill

MM 79, Bayside.

Public boat ramp, bike path and deep

water swimming.

BikingAll along the Overseas Highway there

are continuos bike paths as well as trails

through a number of beach and park

locations such as Anne’s Beach (MM

73.5), Founders Park (MM 87) and Tea

Table Fill (MM 79).

For bike rentals contact:

A1A Watersports, 305.664-8182,

MM 82, Bayside.

BoatingBoating is popular in the Keys as one

might imagine with an endless choice of

waterways. Whether you bring your own

boat or seek a rental there are established

boating rules and regulations to follow.

For rentals contact: A1A Watersports,

305.664.8182, MM 82.7, Oceanside,

or Islamorada Watersports,

305.853.5483.

FishingIslamorada is world-renowned for offshore

sport fishing, fly fishing, reef fishing, the

flats and backcountry fishing! Islamorada

is considered the sportfishing capital of

the world so it’s easy to see why there are

more than a dozen marinas with a variety

of sport and back country fishing opera-

tors. The three most popular marinas are

Bud n’ Mary’s Marina at MM 79.9,

Holiday Isle Marina at MM84, and Whale

Harbor Marina at MM 83.5. Typically youIM

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book your trip with the boat captain at

the dock.

Flats fishing in Islamorada became known

in the early 1900’s. Bonefish, Permit,

Tarpon, and Sharks — not easy to find or

catch. The Backcountry — as it is called on

the Florida Bay side — runs as far north as

the Everglades National Park. The waters

depth in the Backcountry averages 3 feet

to 7 feet. This is also fertile waters for

Redfish, Snook, Seatrout, Jacks, Ladyfish

and more. For Islamorada fishing

information call: Blue Chip Charters,

305.852.8477.

KayakingThere are no boundaries for kayaking in

the Keys, but if you want to maximize the

experience beyond the physical activitiy,

there are a wealth of adventures to be

had. To the south of Islamorada are sev-

eral beautiful areas to paddle — Indian,

Shell and Lignum Vitae Keys. Bill Keogh’s

Florida Keys Paddle Guide points out these

three Keys as the best places to visit for

moderate to advance kayakers. You need

to consider the current and tide schedule

so as to minimize the effort! Indian and

Shell Key s are a mere 1.5 miles, but for

the best experience with wildlife narratives

and identification you might want to

consider a guided tour.

For information on rentals contact:

A1A Watersports, 305.664.8182,

Oceanside or Islamorada Watersports,

305.853.5483.

Kite BoardingIslamorada is considered the best location

in the Keys for Kite Boarding because of

prevailing easterly and southern winds.

The best place for access to the water is

at the southern tip of Islamorada. Anne’s

Beach, the only natural beach in

Islamorada, is open to the public. Another

location is at Whale Harbor, MM84 where

boarders find a great northeast to south

breeze. Riders pay $10 a day. The launch

area is very small, so expert or advanced

kiteboarding experience is required.

For information call:

The Otherside Boardsports,

305.853.9728, or Islamorada Water-

sports, 305.853.5483.

KAYAKING | KITE BOARDING


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Paddle BoardingThe latest and, perhaps, greatest aquatic

activity to hit the water, paddle boarding,

can be done nearly anywhere by anyone.

Rent a board and head out on your own or

join a guided trip to see everything from

manatee to fish as they pass around and

under your board. Anne’s beach and No

Name Key are two popular launch sites

For rentals and tours call: Islamorada

Watersports, 305.853.5483,The

Otherside Boardsports, 305.853.9728,

or Mangrove Watersports,

305.283.3518.

ParksIndian Key State Park

Explore the island. Learn about it’s unique

past. Follow the re-created street system.

An interpretive trail takes you through the

historic community of Indian Key, the first

county seat of Dade County and once a

thriving center for cargo-salvaging

businesses retrieving shipwrecks

throughout the Keys. The park is

accessible only by private boat or tour

boat.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological

State Park.

A former quarry used by Henry Flagler in

the early 1900’s during his building of the

Overseas Railroad, it was a source for

decorative stone pieces called Keystone.

Now on display are exposed sections of

fossilized coral, as well as some of the

original quarry machinery. Located at mile

marker 85.5 near Islamorada. A good

example of this fossilized Keystone coral is

the Hurricane Monument at Mile Marker

82 in Islamorada.

Scuba &

SnorkelingConch and Alligator Reef are the most

popular areas for shallow water activities.

The USS Alligator, the reefs name sake,

ran aground and sank in 1822 while

protecting a convoy from pirates. In 25

feet of water lie the remains of the wreck

along with the twin piles of ballast stones.

Conch reef begins a gradual decent from

40 feet to 100 feet — a great deep water

life experience. Contact Key Dive,

305.664.2211.

Sailing

A steady offshore breeze provides an

optimum environment for an exciting

sailing experience. Cruise along the

shoreline with stops to swim and snorkel

along the coral reefs and sandbars. A

popular day trip is a visit to Indian Key

State Park. Sunset cruises are

memorable. Private or group charters

are available. For more information

contact: Horizon Cat at 305.307.3728,

located at the Islander Resort, Mile

Marker 82.1, www.Horizon-Cat.com.

PADDLE BOARDING | PARKS | SCUBA & SNORKELING | SAILING


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Celebrating Healthy Living, A Healthy Planet andPeaceable and Sustainable Communities

From November 1st-7th, 2010, during the inaugural event, EcoWeek 2010, over 50 different

environmental and healthy-living events will be taking place in every part of the Keys- from Key Largo to Key

West. Each year, EcoWeek will be a week filled with activities blending entertainment with

education, healing sciences and arts as well as technologies for creating a better environment.

EcoWeek Events, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization created to manage and produce the

festival EcoWeek. The mission of EcoWeek is to educate and celebrate environmental preservation.

The core purpose is to promote sustainable ecotourism, to enhance the local economy in an

environmentally responsible way, and attract ecologically and socially conscious individuals to the Keys.

The organization has set core values as its baseline for the festival.

] Educate on the Florida Keys uniquely fragile and pristine environment

] Provide funds for local environmental projects

] Directly benefit the economic development of the Keys community

] Foster respect for a peaceable community

] Give insight into our impacts as human beings and also a greater appreciation of our own

natural habitat

] Promote a sustainable community

] Minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment

] Leave no Carbon Footprint

This festival is the first of its kind to bring eco-friendly activities to all of these communities. EcoWeek

is highlighting the total “Keys Experience” by bringing together everything that makes us unique, yet is part of

our every day existence.

Those participating in Florida Keys EcoWeek will benefit from an increased level of awareness and

consciousness while having fun, enjoying a beautiful environment, being educated, participating in

environmental preservation and (depending on the activities) possibly winning prizes!

For more information and list of events, go to www.EcoWeekFloridaKeys.com. Sign up for the RSS feed

as information and new events are added daily; log on to stay on top of current news about the most exciting

and revolutionary event celebrating Environmental Preservation!


Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Hallow-Green Party

Kid’s “Trick or Treat” at Key Deer Refuge Visitor Ctr in Big Pine

EcoKeys Guided Snorkel Excursion

Florida Bay Outfitters Kayak Tour

National Key Deer Refuge Center in Big Pine

Dancing Dolphin Spirits

Reef Relief Waters of Wonders

Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys Film Festival

GLEE Green Future Expo

The Pelagic Sea presentation and films by Bill Macdonald

Islamorada Progressive Dinner

Remedy's Nutrition Health Talk

Swami Beyondananda, Environmental Comic Relief

Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

EcoKeys Sailing and Snorkeling Excursion

EcoKeys Sunset Sail

Drumming Circle

Key Largo Progressive Dinner

Hawk’s Cay ECO-ART: Renewable, Recycled, And Reborn!

Marathon Progressive Dinner

Kava Kava Night

Environmental Summit

Citizens Solutions Workshop

Swami Beyondananda, Environmental Comic Relief

Art in the Garden

Key West Progressive Dinner

Amoray Coral Restoration

National Key Deer Refuge Ctr Amateur Birding Tour in Big Pine

National Key Deer Refuge Center Night Hike in Big Pine

The Garden's Hotel-Green Lodge Happy Hour

FIRM Ride/Race Weekend

Mango Water Sports Paddle Board Poker Run

Boyscouts of America Florida Sea Base Regatta

Light of Consciousness "Seeds of Life"

GLEE Green Business Expo

GLEE Green Life Expo

Eco Market

TJ's EcoFestival and EcoFashion Show

Key West Wee-Cycle

South Dade Toyota Prius Driving Challenge

Chemical Free – Beautiful Me

Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center Lion Fish Safari

Event Sampler

EcoWeek 2011 - Oct. 31st thru Nov. 6th.

Watch For EcoWeek 2011 - Oct. 31st thru Nov. 6th.

EcoWeek Event

Reef Relief Film Festival(November 1-5th) FREE.Donations accepted. 11:30am,

1:30pm and 3:30pm films shown

daily. Reef Relief Environmental

Center, 631 Greene Street, Key

West. Reef Relief will host a week

long “Explore the Reef” Open

House. The Environmental Center

introduces visitors to coral reef

ecosystems, its threats and what

can be done to protect our coastal

resources. For a full list of movies,

call 305-294-3100 or

[email protected],

www.reefrelief.org.


ften referred to as the heart of the Florida

Keys, Marathon is approximately half way

between Key Largo and Key West (MM 61

to 47).

Established in the early 1800’s as a fishing

village, Marathon received its name when Henry

Flagler moved his railroad construction to the

island and began his two year “marathon” to

extend the railroad on to Key West.

Marathon is home to the longest segmental

bridge in the world — the Seven Mile Bridge. It is

also home to a variety of natural attractions

from hard wood hammocks and rain forests to

stretches of white sand beaches. Curry

Hammock is made up of a group of islands in the

Middle Keys, with public access to swimming, a

playground, picnic tables, grills and showers on

the ocean side of Little Crawl Key. The hardwood

hammocks found on these tropical islands

support one of the largest populations of thatch

palms in the United States. Mangrove

swamps, sea grass beds and wetlands provide

vital habitats for tropical wildlife.

As with most of the Keys, kayak locations

are plentiful with the most popular from Boot

Key off the main island of Marathon south to the

popular Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda is

one of the deepest natural channels in the Keys

and has sandy beaches for swimming and

snorkeling activities.

Fishing is found offshore, on the reefs or

bayside flats. The old Seven Mile bridge is also

a favorite place to fish from.

Scuba diving, snorkeling and even

SNUBA are available on dozens of dive sites —

Sombrero Reef the most noteable —

all suitable for both experienced diver and the

inexperienced. Marathon takes pride in being

one of the Keys wreck trek stops with its 200

foot Thunderbolt.

Marathon

Marathon Chamber Of Commerce | www.FloridaKeysMarathon.com

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In 1942 the USS Randolph began its career as a U.S. Army cable-laying ship and later as a lightening research vessel for Florida Power and Light. In the1980, while awaiting a geological survey mission, theRandolph sank at a dock on the Miami River. In 1986the Marathon diving community purchased the vesselfrom a salvage company for its final assignment as anartificial reef. The Thunderbolt was sunk in March1986.

Resting upright at 115 feet, the Thunderbolt is heavily encrusted with coral and sponges and attractsthousands of Silver-sides that school around the hugecable-laying wheel mounted on the bow. Large Blackjacks and ominous Barracuda make the wrecktheir permanent home where they feed on the swarmof small fish. The Thunderbolt is fully intact making it avisually pleasing wreck dive and great for photographers.

During the cleaning of the vessel all of the doors andhatches were removed, making it safe to penetrate thestructure, swim up staircases or view the large bronzepropellers at the stern.

The USS Randolphaka the Thunderbolt

, EcoGuide | 42 | Florida Keys

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THUNDERBOLT DIVE OPERATORS

Halls Diving, 1994 Overseas Hwy, 305.743.5929.

Tilden’s Diving, 4650 Overseas Hwy, 305.743.7255.


BicyclingThe Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

(FKOHT) is a scenic, multi-use bicycle and

pedestrian corridor extending from Key

Largo to Key West. Marathon offers a

number of places to bike with its main path

running paralell with U.S. 1, aka the

Overseas Highway. Other interesting trails

include the old 7 mile bridge of which 2

miles are rideable, a path around Coco

Plum and Curry State Park and the path

on Sombrero Beach Road to Sombrero

Beach. For bike rentals contact:

Wheel 2 Go, 305-289-4279, 5994

Overseas Hwy, www.Wheels-2-Go.com.

BirdingMarathon has most of the birds found

throughout the Keys. The best times for

birding are during the spring and fall mi-

gration. Some of the more unique birds in-

clude Great White Herons, Antillean

Nighthawks, Gray Kingbirds, Black-

Whiskered Vireos, White-Crowned

Pigeons and the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo.

A great place to visit is the Crane Point

Museum and Nature Center at 5550

Overseas Hwy, Mile Marker 50.5 Bayside.

FishingIf you enjoy deep sea fishing, the Middle

Keys have some of the best fishing in the

world. Marathon is known as a feeding

ground for popular game fish like White

and Blue Marlin, Amberjack and Black Fin

Tuna. South east of the Middle Keys is one

of the most popular fishing areas known

as the West Hump. A sea mound that

rises from the bottom of the ocean from a

depth of almost 500’. Prefer Bonefish,

Snook or Redfish? Then the the back-

county flats are for you. For guides, party

boats and sportfishing charters contact

Captain Pip’s Marina (MM47.5),

1410 Overseas Hwy, 305-743-4403,

www.captainpips.com.

BICYCLING | BIRDING | FISHING

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KAYAKING | SCUBA & SNORKELING

KayakingBetween Bahia Honda to the south and

Duck Key to the north there are a half

dozen or so popular routes. Paddling

around Bahia Honda Key and the Bahia

Honda State Park is a very scenic 4.5 mile

route. Another one of similar length is

from the southern end of the Seven Mile

Bridge, weaving between the tiny islands of

Money Key, Little Money Key, Duck Key

and Molasses Key. In Marathon, the place

to go is Boot Key, where there is a series

of natural canals throughout the thick

mangroves. The loop is about three miles.

And to the north, there is a mild 2 mile

route to an area known as Tom’s Harbour

Keys. For kayak rentals and guided tours

call: Florida Keys Kayak Tours,

305 872.7474.

Scuba & SnorkelingMany of the most popular reefs are

shallow — 25’ to 30’ — Sombraro, Coffins

Patch, Delta Shoal, are very beautiful and

lush with coral and fish life. Perfect diving

for the novice or for the non-diver trying

SNUBA for the first time. For deeper

diving, Loyd’s Ledge is at 50’ to 70’,

Sombrero Ledge at 80’ to 100’ and the

Thunderbolt found at 75’ to 120’. For dive

trip information call: Hall’s Diving Center,

305. 743.5929, or Tilden’s Scuba

Center, 305-743-7255.


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Costa RicaTake A ride on

the Wild Side!

www.EcoGuide-CostaRica.com

nlike the Upper and Middle districts, the

Lower Keys are defined as a series of

islands beginning with Little Duck Key and to the

south, Ohio and Bahia Honda, home to one of

the most attractive state parks in the Keys, and

then onward to the primary residential and

business area of Big Pine Key. A little further

south you will find one of the Keys most pristine

dive and snorkeling areas — Looe Key and the

Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

The colorful island names continue as you

head south through Little Torch, the Ramrod

Key, Cudjoe Key, Saddlebunch Key, Big Coppitt,

Boca Chica and finally Stock Island.

Big Pine and the Lower Keys do not share

some of the same pioneering stories as with

Key Largo and Marathon. This area was most

known for the “big pines” that grew here, fueling

a small charcoal burning industry. With a

population of residents less than 40 miles away

in Key West, Big Pine charcoal became the

source of cooking fuel for the residents, aka the

Conchs, in Key West. There are also tales of

treasure hunters in Big Pine Key but, most

likely, the salvaging of vessels running aground

on their way to the deep water ports of Stock

Island and Key West.

Today aquatic activities and nature create

the area's reputation. Kayaking is one of the

most popular activities along the Lower Keys

and around the Western area of Big Pine Key.

All along the Overseas Highway are places to

pull off to the side of the road and find a

reasonable launch site. Big Pine is home to Bill

Keogh — one of the Keys most colorful kayak

guides and author of the Florida Keys Paddling

Guide. If you are an experienced kayaker, and

equipped with GPS, The Guide is filled with

Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key Chamber Of Commerce | www.LowerKeysChamber.com


U


And The Lower Keys

hundreds of coordnates, but be-

cause of the hundreds of maze-like

Mangrove forests one must pay

close attention to location through-

out the trip. If you are new to

kayaking you are best to arrange

for a guided tour of the area.

When you talk Florida Keys

scuba and snorkeling, it is most

common to hear about the Upper

and Middle Keys. But few know

diving in the Lower Keys, though

smaller in terms of overall area of

reef system, is quite good since it is

part of the Looe Key Marine

National Marine Sanctuary. The

reefs are healthy, the visibility is

generally outstanding and the

marine life as is extensive.

Snorkeling is wonderful and easy

with many of the trails in 10 to 30

feet of water within proximity to the

shore making it a short boat ride to

the sites. Big Pine Key is also on the

Wreck Trek map — home to the

220’ Adolphus Busch.

Think of fishing in the Florida

Keys and Islamorada comes to

mind. But the Lower Keys offer

virtually the same fishing options

from bridges, backcountry or

charter boats. The reefs are thick

with Yellow Tail and Snapper and

the Gulf Stream with Marlin, Tuna

and Wahoo — just waiting to take

the bait and give you a fight!

For nature lovers, you’re in

the right place as Big Pine and No

Name Keys are the locations of the

National Key Deer Refuge, a 9,200

acre habitat for the endangered

Key Deer. Notable for their size

averaging 28 inches and weighing

in at a mere 90 pounds, the Key

Deer are indigenous to only the

Lower Keys.

All along the 174 square mile

area between Key West and

Marathon is the Great White

Heron National Refuge — home to

over 170 species of birds.

Looking for a beach? Then head

to Bahia Honda, the 524-acre state

park. The park’s landmark, the

Flagler Overseas Railroad Bridge, is

a engineering marvel in itself. Bahia

Honda’s beauty is the sandy white

beaches and the rare flora and

fauna such as Yellow Satinwood,

Gumbo Limbo and Silver Palms.


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BEACHES | BIRDING | FISHING | KAYAKING | SCUBA & SNORKELING

BeachesBahia Honda, MM 37

www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda

Calusa Beach: Bahia Honda State Park

adjacent to the old bridge and marina.

Camping, picnic tables, food, bath house

and restrooms open to the public.

Sandspur Beach: Bahia Honda ajacent

the Sandspur camping area.

BirdingMarathon to Key West is the Great

White Heron National Refuge. Hundreds

of species can be seen from various

roadside vantage points. Bahia Honda is

an excellent place to see wading birds

and shorebirds. A variety of shorebirds in-

cluding Willets, Sanderlings, Ruddy

Turnstones, Short-billed Dowitchers and

Plovers may be seen along the shore.

Several species of wading birds may be

seen in the park as well, including Great

White Herons, Great Blue Herons,

Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy

Egrets and White Ibis. For guide

information contact:

Florida Keys Kayak Tours, 305-872-

7474, www.FloridaKeysKayakTours.com.

KayakingThere are more than 35 launch sites

from Duck Key to Stock Island. One very

popular launch for accessing west Big

Pine Key is the Old Wooden Bridge

Fishing Camp off Bogie Drive.

Refer to the Florida Keys Paddle Guide

or contact: Bill Keogh, Florida Keys

Kayak Tours, 305-872-7474.

Scuba & Snorkeling

Visit the Looe Key National Marine

Sanctuary for outstanding reef diving and

snorkeling. If wreck diving is what you are

looking for, visit the Adolphus Busch off

Cudjoe Key. For information contact:

Looe Key Dive Resort and Dive Center,

305.872.2215, Strike Zone Charters,

305.872.9863, or Triple Dive Charters,

305.879.4397.


IMAGE BY BILL KEOGH

Key Westou may think you have reached the end of

the line at MM0, but in reality you have just

arrived at the begining of the fun-in-the-sun

paradise! Although this small (2 miles by 4

miles) southernmost city in the United States

and the capital of the Conch Republic, may be

legendary for eccentric party goers, sun-

worshipers and legendary treasure hunters,

there is no shortage of family aquatic activities

and nature discoveries in Key West.

How did Key West evolve into such an

aquatic environment? It all started during the

ice age when the polar caps began to develop

causing the sea level to drop. From out of the

depths came a land mass that was actually the

tail end of the Appalachian mountains. Key

Largo’s land was formed by coral, known as Key

Largo Limestone. Key West, on the other hand,

is a material called Oolite. Eventually the caps

went through another melt down creating the

current geological wonder we call a Key

(from the Tiano Indian word Cay).

The warm, tropical environment of this

near-equator land mass was and still is

conducive to the growth of those little tiny

undersea critters know as coral polyps! The

hard material most think is the coral is

actually the lime secretion and the platform

on which the coral forms its habitat.

For more than 300 years the population

consited of natives and Europeans who passed

by only to stop for water. It was not until Florida

became part of the United States in 1821 that

Key West and the Keys began to flourish. Of

course Henry Flagler’s railroad project added

fuel to the already bustling growth of Key West

as a deep water port. Shipping was big and its

commerce caused Key West to become

Florida's largest populated city with professional

residents such as doctors, lawyers, insurance

representatives, politicians, military personnel,

journalists and publishers!


Y

Key West Chamber Of Commerce | www.KeyWestChamber.com


With this natural setting, you can see why there are

so many activities and underwater exploration available.

Scuba diving activities surround Key West, and the

sites are within reasonable travel time. There are several

locations like Marquesas Reef, Smith Shoal and for the

snorkeler, Sand Key that are enchanting. And if you are a

wreck diver, the southernmost portion of the Florida Keys

wreck trek includes the USS Wilkes-Barre, Joe’s Tug and

most recently — the USS Vandenberg.

Kayaking has become one of the most popular

activities thoughout the Keys. Its an activity nearly

everyone can do, ranging from leisure paddling to

competitive races. Key West offers great kayaking

because of the miles of mangrove islands and

backcountry flats. If it is windy on the east side you

launch from the west. Hurricane Hole has been one of

the more popular launches for many years.

Fishing is excellent with the usual options of offshore,

reef or backcountry locations. Ernest Hemingway sought

blue Marlin in the Florida Straights between Cuba and

Key West and Zane Grey’s angling skills mastered the

backcountry flats! If fishing is your passion, there are

more than a half a dozen marinas between Stock Island

and downtown Key West where you can locate and book

individual fishing charters or group party boats.

Key West is all residental so there are really few

nature-type tours on the island. It’s the water surround-

ing the island that provides Key West eco-tourism —

scuba, snorkeling and kayaking. The closest thing to re-

mote eco or nature tour would be a day trip to the Dry

Tortugas National Park. The Dry Tortugas consist of 7

small islands and the surrounding water, 70 miles from

Key West. The second largest island, Garden Key is home

to Fort Jefferson. Snorkeling in this area is very good

since the shallow water, between 3’ and 5’, is perfect for

the growth of healthy coral. Between March and Septem-

ber, some 100,000 Sooty Terns gather on Bush Key for

their nesting season, along with 2,500 breeding Brown

Noddies. When John James Audubon visited the Florida

Keys in the early 1800s, he was amazed by the

abundance and diversity of bird life. Human encroach-

ment has taken a toll on the avian population, but

hundreds of songbirds, water birds, shorebirds, and

raptors still pass through Key West every year. There are

a few great places to visit that showcase the nature of

the Keys, such as the EcoDiscovery Center and the Key

West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.

Another exciting water activity is sailing. You can rent

Hobie Cats or climb aboard a Historic Schooner or Tall

Ship and enjoy the brilliant sunsets.


Upon first sight of the

Vandenberg being prepared to

be scuttled as the southern

anchor of the Florida Keys

Shipwreck Trail, former crew

member Chuck Garrison, who

served on the ex-U.S. military

missile-tracking ship remarked,

“Wow! This will be one helluva

wreck to dive.” Garrison has

visited the WW II wreck-

strewn waters of the Pacific, and

agrees the highly distinctive

Vandenberg, the world's second-

largest ship ever sunk to create

a reef, has dozens of dive points

to interest novice and seasoned

recreational divers.

The U.S.S.VandenberG

At10:24 am, May 27, 2009, the

General Hoyt S. Vandenberg became

an artificial reef in 140feet of water seven

miles from Key West!


From the bottom, the Vandenberg

measures 10 stories high in the

water column, the keel is the deepest

point at 140 feet. But it is the top of

the structure that contains most of

the ship's interesting attributes,

some purposely cut from one part of

the ship and welded elsewhere to

make attention-getting dive spots

from bow to stern, all trimmed to

reach within 40 to 50 feet of the

surface.

Starting from a vantage point at

the bow and moving aft, the kingpost

and foremast are immediately

eye-catching, and provides

underwater photo opportunities for

dive buddies, and can serve as a rest

platform or perhaps a

decompression stop on ascension

from deeper dives.

Continuing aft, the bridge

symbolizes the ship's intriguing

maritime history: at the top of the

wheelhouse a telescope has been

mounted, which was part of the

star-tracking systems during

Vandenberg's active duty.

Behind the bridge and the main

mast is the smaller of two iconic

radar dishes. Next is, the number 1

Barbette, a heavy steel structure in

the shape of a pedestal used to

protect artillery gun turrets on

military ships. Aft of the number 1

Barbette is the larger radar dish,

which in the 1999 movie “Virus”

provided quite an explosive sequence

when a laser from space blew the

dish off the ship. It’s indeed intact

though, secured to the vessel and

ready for fish to shelter and breed.

All dive spots along the top

structure are open, free from

obstruction and should be easy to

maneuver over and around during a

dive.

Further aft is the trimmed part of

the foremast with the crow’s nest, as

well as the bottom half of the ship’s

smokestack — the other half,

trimmed to approximately 20 feet tall

for an even profile along the ship's

superstructure, now sits atop the

Project visionary Joe Weatherby onboard the Vandenberg during pre-sinking preparations.


weather balloon hangar at the stern.

Likely to be one of the most

visited dive sites on the Vandenberg,

this balloon hangar will be loosely

dubbed the “underwater

Margaritaville,” a clubhouse tribute to

the famous Parrotheads who have

contributed support to the

Vandenberg project, aside from being

fanatical fans of Jimmy Buffett, whose

musical and literary fame has satu-

rated Key West.

The Vandenberg will be a safe,

enjoyable dive for all experience levels

of certified divers. Those trained and

experienced in light-wreck

penetration can expect to explore the

ship's many cargo holds, stair towers,

elevator shafts and hallways.

At 100-plus feet, holes cut

along the outside of the hull to help

sink the ship provide swim-through

opportunities for advanced and skilled

technical divers. Yet the properly


IMAGE BY STEPHEN FRINK

certified and trained wreck diver will be able to swim afull 475 feet along the starboard section of Deck 1.

Though it is unlikely divers will be able to see end toend because the ship is nearly two football fields long, itis possible that one dive on the Vandenberg could revealboth shallow and deep-water fish such as Goliathgrouper and sailfish, attracted by the clouds of bait expected to school around the wreck. Of course, it willtake multiple dives to get a real sense of its scale.

And over the course of decades the ship is to bedensely populated with coral species, sponges, invertebrates, sea fans and sea whips. Divers will wantto make this Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail entry in theirlogbook over and over again to see the progression ofmarine ecosystems as they develop. Garrison, who attests to Vandenberg's past, said, “There is quite a history with this old girl, a lot of miles under her belt.”

The Vandenberg sits upright on the ocean bottom.

VANDENBERG DIVE OPERATORS

Captain’s Corner, 305.296.8865.

Dive Key West, 305.296.3823.

Keys Scuba Shack, 305.896.0723

Lost Reef Adventures, 305.296.9737.

Lucky Dog Divers, 305.587.4018

Southpoint Divers, 800.891.3483IMAGE BY STPHEN FRINK



These regulations apply throughout the entire area of the Sanctuary, including other pro-tected areas and Sanctuary zones. The purpose ofthese regulations is to protect Sanctuary resources from both direct and indirect threats.These regulations focus on habitat protection, re-ducing threats to water quality, and minimizinghuman impact to delicate resources. The followingactivities are prohibited Sanctuary-wide:

* Moving, removing, taking, harvesting, damaging,

disturbing, touching, breaking, cutting, or otherwise

injuring, or possessing any living or dead coral, or

coral formation, or attempting any of these

activities, except as permitted by the FKNMS

regulations

* Discharging or depositing trash or other pollutants.

* Dredging, drilling, prop dredging or otherwise

altering the seabed, or placing or abandoning any

structure on the seabed.

* Operating a vessel in such a manner as to strike

or otherwise injure coral, seagrass, or other

organisms. attached to the seabed, or cause

prop-scarring.

* Having a vessel anchored on living coral in water

less than 40 feet deep when you can see the

bottom. Anchoring on hardbottom is allowed.

* Operating a vessel at more than idle speed/no wake

within 100 yards of residential shorelines, stationary

vessels, and navigational aids marking reefs.

* Operating a vessel at more than idle speed/no wake

within 100 feet of a "divers down" flag.

* Diving or snorkeling without a dive flag.

* Operating a vessel in such a manner which

endangers life, limb, marine resources, or property

* Releasing exotic species.

* Damaging or removing markers, mooring buoys,

scientific equipment, boundary buoys, and trap

buoys.

* Moving, removing, injuring, or possessing historical

resources.

* Taking or possessing protected wildlife.

* Using or possessing explosives or electrical charges.

* Harvest and possession of marine life species --

tropical fish, invertebrates, and plants -- except in

accordance with rules 68B-42 of the Florida

Administrative Code.

Florida Keys National MarineSanctuary Regulations

BeachesClarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach

Also known as County Beach, this strip of

beach is one-half mile west of Smathers

Beach on Atlantic Boulevard, near the

south end of White Street. Swimming

area. Nice pier and recreational facilities.

C.B. Harvey Rest Beach

This recently designed and landscaped

park located on the Atlantic Ocean near

White Street Pier. It is a great location for

watching the sunrise. The beach is 300

yards long with picnic areas.

Ft Zachary Taylor State Historic Park

While the fort is great, this happends to be

the best beach in Key West. Picnic tables,

restrooms. Enter through the Truman

Annex on Southard Street.

Smathers Beach

Key West's longest beach is west of

the airport on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

Picnic areas. Restroom facilities.

Volleyball net. Sailing and watersports

operators.

South Beach

At the end of Duval Street is a

small public beach with picnic tables.

Restroom.

BicyclingRiding a bike in Key West is more for

transportation than recreation. With

many narrow and one-way roads it

makes sense to use a bike to get around —

not to mention the difficult task of

finding a parking spot! There is no better

way to see Old Town than bicycle and

there are plenty of racks to secure your

bike. If you are looking for excercise,

take a spin to Southernmost Point,

Higgs Beach or Smatthers Beach on

South Roosevelt. Another popular place

for local riders is the College Park

Fitness Loop. For bike rentals and path

information call:

Recycle Bike Rentals, 305.292.3336,

5160 Overseas Hwy, Stock Island

(just north of Hurricane Hole Marina),

www.RecycleKW.com.

EcoTours

From the reefs of the National Marine

Sanctuary to the dolphin flats, Key West

has an amazing variety of ways to

experience nature. Snorkel tours, Kayak

tours, Walking tours and the always

popular dolphin watch tours. An amazing

cruise out to the Gulf of Mexico where it is

near impossible to not see dolphins —

swimming along side or jumping the boats

wake. It is not uncommon to have a dolphin

swim near as you snorkel around the flats

and shallow reefs. If a dolphin approaches,

do not attempt to touch as this is

considered harassment and you can be

fined. Other open water sights include reef

fish, sharks, sea turtles, marine birds and


BEACHES | BICYCLING | ECOTOURS

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spotted eagle rays. Walking and birding

tours can be found around Fort Jefferson

on Dry Tortugas — some 70 nautical

miles west of Key West. Mangrove tours

can be organized via kayak. For more

about area ecotours contact the

following operators:

EcoDiscovery Tours, 305.289.2288,

www.EcoDiscoveryToursFloridaKeys.com.

Florida Keys EcoTours, 305.766.3518,

www.Keys-Ecotours.com.

Echo Cat, 305.292.5044,

www.DolphinEcho.com.

Sunny Days Key West, 305.296.5556,

www.SunnyDaysKeyWest.com

Wild About Dolphins, 305.294.5026.

www.WildAboutDolhpins.com.

FishingKey West offers the variety of fishing as

seen throughout the Keys. There is an

abundance of charters and party boats

awaiting the avid fisherman. For a

selection of guides and boats visit one

of the following marinas: Hurricane Hole

Marina, Key West Bight Marina,

Banana Bay Marina.

KayakingAccess is an issue for kayaking in the

Keys. In Key West, there are four or five

convenient locations: Simonton Street

launch, Smathers Beach, Little Hamaca

Park, the Florida Keys Community College

and the public ramp at MM5.3. Bill

Keogh’s Florida Keys Paddling Guide is

one of the best references avalable for

locations you may want to visit. If you

want an easy course consider the Salt

Creek Run, a two mile tour down the

residental canal that leads to mangrove

creeks and salt ponds. For a more

strenuous workout you can

circumnavigate the island where you

pass Smather’s Beach, Mallory Square

waterfront and Salt Pond Key. The entire

trip is ten mile but can be shortened by

returning via the Salt Creek canal. For

information contact: Bill Keogh, Florida

Keys Kayak Tours, 305.872.7474,

Crystal Clear Charters, 305.74.5641.

Sailing

One of the most beautiful ways to see

Key West from the water is on a sailboat.

Whether it’s a historic schooner or tall

ship, a glass bottom boat or a sleek


FISHING | KAYAKING | SAILING

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catamaran, the clear water will

mesmerize you and the sunsets will leave

you in awe. Private cruises, Dinner cruises,

Wind and Wine, Snorkel and Sunset.

There is a cruise for just about everyone.

For more information contact: Crystal Clear

Charters, 305.74.5641; Florida Keys

EcoTours, 305.766.3518; Sunny Days Key

West, 305.296.5556.

Scuba & SnorkelingWith more than four dozen named reef

sites, scuba and snorkeling continues to be

Key West’s most popular aquatic activity.

From shallow 20’ to 35’ reefs such as

Rock Key and Eastern Dry Rocks,

Marquesas and Cottrell, to moderate and

deep sites such as Sambo, Outer Reef and

Ten Fathom Ledge that runs from 50’ to

90’. Most frequently seen marine life

include Angelfish, Butterflyfish Parrotfish,

Nurse Sharks, Stingrays, Turtles and Eels.

Hard corals such Brain, Star and Pillar are

found throughout the patch reefs. Wreck

diving is rapidly growing with the

Vandenberg being the most recent edition

to the list of sites. Other popular dives are

Chet Alexander's Wreck — at 25’, Joe’s

Tug — starting at 40’ and the Cayman

Salvor — at 90’. For more information on

SCUBA or snorkeling contact one of the

following operators:

Captain’s Corner, 305.296.8865

Crystal Clear Charters, 305.747.5641

Dive Key West, 305.296.3823

Echo Cat, 305.292.5044

Florida Keys EcoTours, 305.766.3518

Keys Scuba Shack, 305.896.0723

Lost Reef Adventures, 305.296.9737

Southpoint Divers, 800.891.3483

Sunny Days Key West, 305.296.5556

Wild About Dolphins, 305.294.5026

ParksFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Florida's southernmost state park is

popular for recreation. A beautiful beach.

Nature trail and bicycling within the park.

Dry Tortugas National Park

A cluster of seven islands, 70 miles west

of Key West. Known for its famous bird

and marine life.


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Marine ecologist studying

endangered sawfishA scientist at The Florida

State University Coastal and

Marine Laboratory has won a

three-year, grant to study the

endangered but little-known

sawfish, whose numbers are

believed to have declined globally

more than 90 percent.The

formidable-looking sawfish is

related to the stingray but more

closely resembles a shark. It has

been overexploited in many parts of the world due to the

commercial appeal of its prominent, toothy rostrum (snout).

Marine ecologist Dean Grubbs and his Florida State team

will focus their research on the ecology of the smalltooth sawfish,

the only domestic marine fish currently listed in the U.S.

Endangered Species Act but, until now, rarely investigated. Its

once-extensive range in the United States now is primarily

restricted to southwest Florida and the Florida Keys.

"Worldwide, there are only six or seven extant species of

sawfishes and all are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN

Red List of Threatened Species," Grubbs said. "This means we are

in danger of losing an entire order of animals that are among the

largest of all fishes, including some sawfish species that reach

lengths of more than 20 feet."

Grubbs said populations have declined due to overfishing

and habitat loss.

The Lionfish: a menace to

humans and marine lifeAt French Reef, 30

feet below the ocean's sur-

face a diver was on a mis-

sion to find and capture one

of the gorgeous but

dreaded new invaders of

the Florida Keys - a lionfish.

There have been 68

marine-invading species in

Florida, the Caribbean and

the Gulf of Mexico over the

last century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but none has

wreaked as much havoc to the marine environment as the

voracious red lionfish that devours native fish populations

wherever it invades.

The Nature Conservancy said the lionfish, with its floating,

striped headdress, looks like a Las Vegas showgirl. Its beauty is

the reason it was once a top-10 imported tropical fish for

aquariums in the United States.

But the lionfish, native to the Pacific and Indian oceans, is a

menace to humans and marine life. It has venomous fins, and no

known marine predators in the territory it is invading. The lionfish

reached the Florida Keys a year ago. Its arrival was expected, with

scientists calling it the completion of a circle that began a

generation earlier when the first lionfish was spotted off the coast

of Miami in 1985. Most believe the original invaders came from

aquariums.



FWC to enforce new sea grass protection rule

Under new legislation aimed at protecting sea

grass in Florida's aquatic preserves, the Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will educate

boaters on the importance of the plants. After a suitable

education period, officers will begin citing boaters who

intentionally destroy sea grass in a careless manner that

scars sea grass beds within an aquatic preserve. This is a

noncriminal infraction.

Sea grass scarring results because of operating a

motorized vessel in a way that damages or destroys

plants' roots, shoots or stems. The scarring is commonly

referred to as prop scars or propeller scars.

“I can't emphasize enough how important sea grass

is to marine life,” said Capt. Mark Warren of the FWC.

“Approximately 80 percent of Florida's fisheries species

spend at least part of their life cycles in sea grass. If you

like to fish, or like seafood, you should like and preserve

sea grass.”

Sea grass is a submerged, grass-like plant that

inhabits the shallow coastal waters of Florida. Sea grass

meadows are an important but often overlooked habitat

for many of Florida’s recreationally and commercially

important marine life, such as fish, crabs and clams.

Many species of juvenile fish use sea grass as cover from

larger predators. A single acre of the aquatic plant

community can support as many as 40,000 fish and 50

million invertebrates.

Warren recommends that boaters be watchful for

the deep green sea grass beds as they ply the waters of

the state. If a boater does run aground on a sea grass

bed or sees the propeller is stirring up plant and sand

debris, Warren says the boater can minimize the damage.

“The boater should stop his boat. If the water depth is

sufficient to allow the engine to continue pumping cooling

water without ingesting dirt or debris, he can allow the

engine to cool for a minute or two. Then, the boater

should tilt his engine, and push, paddle or pole his boat to

deeper water, where it can be safely operated. In no case

should a boater try to power his boat out of a sea grass

bed when grounded. This can cause extensive damage to

these sensitive habitats.”

Sea grass also provides critical habitat for animals

such as wading birds, manatees and sea turtles. Further,

it improves water quality. Sea grass filters nutrients from

land-based industrial discharge and stormwater runoff

before these nutrients are washed out to sea and to

other sensitive habitats, such as coral reefs. Ocean-

bottom areas that are devoid of sea grass are vulnerable

to intense wave action from currents and storms. With

no sea grass to stabilize the ocean bottom, beaches,

businesses and homes suffer greater storm damage.


An Ocean Realm,EcoMedia & Marketing, LLC,

Publication.

Richard H. StewartPublisher/Editor-in-Chief

Christi AllenRegional Publisher/Editor

Ken EnglishVickie Kayuk

Associate Editors

ConsultantsBill Keogh/Kayaking

Spencer Slate/SCUBAPaul Tejera/Fishing

Mike Walsh/Wake BoardingSheri Sullenger/Dolphins

Mal McCleary/CoralSteve Neil/Paddle Boarding

Lucia Anreus-Hall/Co-PublisherEcoGuides Latin America Markets

Sherry Sabety/Co-PublisherEcoGuides Pacific Markets

Peter Symes/Co-PublisherEcoGuides Global Markets

EcoGuide Florida Keys is published bi-annually and distributed throughoutthe Keys via hotel, resort and B&B lob-bies, dive retailers, kayak, paddle boardand wake board outfitters, marinas,restaurants and select gift stores. Useof any portion of this content is al-lowed only with permission of thepublisher. PO Box 2388, New SmyrnaBeach, FL. 352.817.5893.

EcoGuide Florida Keys

ACTIVITIES DIRECTORY

BICYCLE RENTALSIslamorada - A1A Watersports, 81984 Overseas Hwy, 305.664.4535. MM82

BOAT RENTALSIslamorada - A1A Watersports, 82749 Overseas Hwy, 305.664.8182. MM82.7Islamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483. MM83.2Key Largo - Tiki Watersports, 94381 Overseas Hwy, 305.852.9298. MM94Marathon - Captain Pips, 1410 Overseas Hwy, 305.743.4403. MM47.5

ECOTOUR OPERATORSKey Largo - Capt. Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center, 51 Garden Cove Drive, 305.451.3020.Key Largo - Just In Time EcoTours, 104250 Overseas Hwy, 305.283.3518. MM104Islamorada - A1A Watersports, 82749 Overseas Hwy, 305.664.8182. MM82.7Islamorada - Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters, 82240 Overseas Hwy, 305.517.4177. MM82.2Islamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483. MM83.2Key West - Clearly Unique Charters, 305.747.8651.Key West - Florida Keys EcoTours, Key West Seaport, 305.766.3518.Key West - Echo Cat, 611 Grinnell St, Key West Seaport, 305.292.5044.Key West - Sunny Days Key West, 201 Williams St, Key West Seaport, 305.296.5556.Key West - Wild About Dolphins, 600 Peninsular Ave, 305.294.5026.

FISHING GUIDESIslamorada - Blue Chip Charters, 305.852.8477. .Marathon - Captain Pips, 1410 Overseas Hwy, 305.743.4403. MM47.5

KAYAK OUTFITTERSIslamorada - A1A Watersports, 82749 Overseas Hwy, 305.664.8182. MM82.7Islamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483 MM83.2Key Largo - Coastal Kayaking, 17 Poinciana Drive, 305.394.5046.Key Largo - Florida Bay Outfitters, 104050 Overseas Hwy, 305.451.3018. MM104Key West - Clearly Unique Charters, 305.747.8651.

KITE & WAKE BOARD OUTFITTERSIslamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483. MM83.2Islamorada - Otherside Boardsports, 83292 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.9728. MM83

SCUBA & SNORKEL OPERATORSKey Largo - Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive, 104250 Overseas Hwy, 305.283.3518. MM104Key Largo - Capt. Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center, 51 Garden Cove Drive, 305.451.3020.Key Largo - Horizon Divers, 100 Ocean Drive, 305.453.3535.Key Largo - Island Ventures, 103900 Overseas Hwy, 305.451.4957. MM103.9Key Largo - Keys Diver & Snorkel Center, 99696 Overseas Hwy, 305.451.1177. MM100Key Largo - Scuba Do, 100750 Overseas Hwy, 305.451.3446. MM100.7Islamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483 MM83.2Islamorada - Key Dives, 79851 Overseas Hwy, 305.664.2211. MM79.8Marathon - Hall’s Diving, 1994 Overseas Hwy, 305.-743.5929. MM48Marathon - Tilden’s Dive Center, 4650 Overseas Hwy, 305.743.7255. MM49.5Ramrod Key - Looe Key Resort & Dive Center, 27340 Overseas Hwy, 305.872.2215. MM27.5Key West - Captain’s Corner, 125 Ann Street, 305.296.8865.Key West - Dive Key West, 3128 N. Roosevelt Blvd, 305.296.3823.Key West - Lost Reef Adventures, 261 Margaret Street, 305.296.9737.Key West - Scuba Shack, 5130 US Highway 1, 305.96-0723.Key West - Wild About Dolphins, 600 Peninsular Ave, 305.294.5026.

PADDLE BOARD OUTFITTERSKey Largo - Florida Bay Outfitters, 104050 Overseas Hwy, 305.451.3018. MM104Key Largo - Mango Watersports, 305.283.3518.Islamorada - Islamorada Watersports, 84771 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.5483. MM83.2Islamorada - Otherside Boardsports, 83292 Overseas Hwy, 305.853.9728. MM83

SAILING.CHARTERSKey West - Florida Keys EcoTours, Key West Seaport, 305.766.3518.Key West - Echo Cat, 611 Grinnell St, Key West Seaport, 305.292.5044.Key West - Sunny Days Key West, 201 Williams St, Key West Seaport, 305.296.5556.

Reef Relief for theFlorida Keys

Reef Relief began in 1987 with the installation of

mooring buoys near Key West, which have grown into a

system of 116 buoys at 7 reefs. Led by founder Craig

Quirolo, Reef Relief has created coral nurseries to save

storm-damaged corals in the Florida Keys and Bahamas.

Craig led a 15 year Coral Photo Monitoring Survey of reef

health that is currently being loaded onto an online archive

at www.reefrelief.org. This survey led to the discovery of new

coral diseases. Craig has worked with Reef Relief’s Scientific

Advisory Board and numerous other researchers to identify

the causes of decline.

Reef Relief supported the creation of marine protected

areas such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

and the Negril (Jamaica) Marine Park, and the Key West

Marine Park in cooperation with the City of Key West. They

helped install buoys and establish programs throughout the

region, including mooring buoys, a coral survey and opera-

tion of the volunteer-staffed Captain Roland Roberts House

Environmental Center in Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos, Ba-

hamas.

The Clean Water Campaign has led the effort to identify

contamination from sewers, agricultural runoff, cruise ships,

boats, and other sources of pollution that are affecting

water quality at coral reefs in South Florida and around the

globe. Reef Relief staff guided policy development through

implementation for a range of projects including advanced,

nutrient stripping waste treatment for the City of Key West,

establishment of a boater No Discharge Zone in the Florida

Keys, passage of a phosphate ban for laundry detergents,

approval of bans on offshore oil drilling and exploration for

South Florida, increased state standards for shallow

injection wells, and a host of other actions.

Today, Reef Relief continues to guide policy, participate in

marine projects for coral reefs, and develop new

educational programs like Coral Camp in the summer for

kids ages 6-12. They are located at 631 Greene Street in

Key West. The environmental center is open to the public

10am to 4pm Monday thru Friday with interactive exhibits, a

kid zone, and theatre.

Visit Reef Relief online at www.ReefRelief.org. or call

(305) 294-3100.


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EcoGuide Florida Keys