By: Julia Aidan
Submitted: 2009-06-19 13:37:57 | Word Count: 509
The Coral Reef in Key West
Key West is full of exciting things to do for vacationers. This small city as the advantages of being located next to North America's only living coral reef, but also possessing a colorful, fascinating history as well. What does that mean for you? If you're on vacation in Key West, there's something for everyone to do: on land, on water, everyone will find tons of fun things about Key West. However, everyone should consider exploring the coral reef. It's Key West's most precious and rare natural resource, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Of course, the best way is to put on a swimsuit, hop on a boat, and dive in! If you don't want to get wet, the glass bottom boat is there to take you out to view the coral through the transparent hull of their specially made boats.
Any way you do it, exploring the reef out of Key West is on our list of Top Things to do in Key West. In fact, it's in the number one spot! It combines the mystery of exploring a whole underwater world you probably never saw before unless you grew up on a tropical island, with the beauty of life forms like colorful coral, reef fish, and the blue waters of Key West. There are no other places quite like Key West!
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Key West Snorkeling
It's easy to explore the coral reef by booking a trip on one of the many Key West snorkeling boats that run to the reef every single morning and afternoon. They'll provide you with everything you need for a great day of exploring the reef: mask, snorkel, fins, and in wintertime, a wet suit. Most of the of boats also provide beverages and some also serve snacks as well. Bring your own sunscreen and extra water and food and you're all set. Oh, don't forget your underwater camera, too! You can buy a disposable one at the drugstore on the corner of Duval and Front Streets.
Sand Key Lighthouse
Most of the Key West snorkeling boats will take passengers out to Sand Key Lighthouse. It's a part of the reef that comes up to within two feet of the surface in some areas, hence the old lighthouse to warn ships. It's about a half-hour ride on the slow cruising catamarans that take multiple passengers to the reef for snorkeling. This is a favorite spot for Key West snorkeling because of the shallowness, allowing snorkelers to see fish and coral up close without having to learn diving skills. In fact, you can see amazing beautiful things just by floating on the surface and looking down. No need to dive at all at Sand Key. It's the idea spot for beginners, too. There are deeper spots for those who have snorkeled before, so if you want to dive down about ten feet or so you can do that too.
