Key West Scuba Diving
 Reef Information

   Most people who come to the Florida Keys for the first time are
surprised to find that there is very little offshore scuba diving. you
can snorkel just about any where. For the most part the first mile
or so off shore shallow flats. The edge of the islands are lined with
mangroves. These trees with there finger like root system are what
help make the islands. Taking root on what used to be patch reefs
from previous times when the ocean level was higher. The grasses
shallow flats and mangroves roots are breeding grounds for many
species of sea life. Hiding in the grass and roots till they are large
enough to venture into the open waters.

Your first encounter with coral reefs are about 1/2 to 1 mile offshore.
Here you start to find patch reefs. These are made up of soft corals,
and sea fans. Surrounded by sea grass they resemble little underwater
islands.

The Outer Reef are beyond the flats in water 15 to 35 feet in depth.
These are the ones most commonly drove on. Here you are overwhelmed
by the colors. Dancing among the reefs are the brightly colored fish.
Here you will lose time and wish you never had any reason to go back
to the surface.

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