Island Profile: Florida Keys

America's most popular diving destination The Florida Keys continue to be America's most popular diving destination, and well they should be - the Keys are the only Caribbean-style diving destination that you can drive to. But more than that, the Keys offer great variety in everything from dive sites to accommodations. There is something for everyone, and that's why divers continue to return to the Keys. The entire Keys chain is a national marine sanctuary and there are numerous special marine protected areas to protect the reefs, from Pennekamp Park on Key Largo in the north to the ecological reserve around the Dry Tortugas in the south and Looe Key in between. These areas provide plenty of great diving opportunities and are helping to maintain or build the fish populations.If you prefer wreck diving, there is plenty of variety in that, too. The well-known, well-covered Duane and Bibb wrecks are fairly deep and can be high intensity. The Benwood wreck is less aggressive and makes for a great night dive. There is also the newer Adolphus Busch off Big Pine Key.Expect water temperatures in the low 70s in the winter and mid-80s in the summer.Accommodations vary, too, from five-star, big chain hotels to laid-back, conch-style roadside inns to exclusive hideaways on private islands.Most divers choose to fly into Miami and drive down U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway, but several airlines fly into Marathon and Key West. For mor information about diving the Keys, cliclick on the home pages below. For general information about visiting and diving the Florida Keys, click on the home page below.