Condition of reefs in Florida Keys?

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Jim - 04 Jul 2004 05:20 GMT

How badly have the reefs off Key Largo deteriorated?

I have an opportunity to go to Orlando later this summer and am
thinking of extending the trip to go snorkeling in the Keys.

I haven't been to Key Largo since 1993, and really enjoyed it. There
was lots of color, brain coral, sea fans, elkhorn, etc.

But I've read some news articles that say the condition of the Keys
reefs has
really gone downhill since then.

I'm wondering if those who have been there think it's worth the time
and
money to extend my Orlando trip to go snorkeling at Key Largo.

TIA

Jim

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Lee Bell - 06 Jul 2004 00:55 GMT

> But I've read some news articles that say the condition of the Keys
> reefs has really gone downhill since then.

> I'm wondering if those who have been there think it's worth the time
> and money to extend my Orlando trip to go snorkeling at Key Largo.

The reefs most often visited have suffered from the attention. The reefs
closest to shore, have suffered from the pollution humans bring with them
when they move into an area. Some reefs in the Key Largo area are still
very nice. The trick is getting to them.

As for being worth it. You'll have to answer that for yourself. There
isn't any diving in Orlando, at least none outside of the theme parks.
There is diving from about Ft. Pierce south.

Lee

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Jim - 06 Jul 2004 17:28 GMT

Lee, thanks for your comments.

Please elaborate on your comment "The trick is getting to them." What
is the reason for that (aside from the fact that the reefs are a few
miles off shore)? Are they off limits?

Jim

> The reefs most often visited have suffered from the attention. The reefs
> closest to shore, have suffered from the pollution humans bring with them
> when they move into an area. Some reefs in the Key Largo area are still
> very nice. The trick is getting to them.

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Lee Bell - 06 Jul 2004 19:31 GMT

> Lee, thanks for your comments.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> > when they move into an area. Some reefs in the Key Largo area are still
> > very nice. The trick is getting to them.

No. The most often visited reefs are that way because that's where the
commercial dive boats go. To get to the more pristine reefs, you have to
book with those who know where they are and are willing to take you there
(often they're more remote and none of them are marked, buoyed or listed in
the local dive books), or you have to book with somebody that may not know
where they are, but is willing to spend the time to look for them.

Lee

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