Key West... Not Just A Place To Party

What comes to mind when most people think of Key West, Florida? Is it Duval Street, booze-cruises, Ernest Hemingway, drag shows, the infamous Sloppy Joe's Bar, or the islands unofficial drink, the margarita? If scuba diving in The Dry Tortugas is not on your list, it definitely should be!

The Dry Tortugas islands were first discovered by Ponce De Leon in 1513 and were named Las Tortugas because of the abundance of sea turtles. The 'dry' was added later as a warning of the lack of fresh water on the islands. These islands have been known as "The Dry Tortugas" ever since.

The Dry Tortugas reefs are known to be some of the healthiest in the Caribbean because of the small amount of human interference that has occurred there. While diving, the marine life you will see includes sharks, sea turtles, grouper and a variety of other tropical fish. 

Divers in Dry Tortugas
(Pic From: www.drytortugas.info)

One of the highlights of diving in The Dry Tortugas is exploring the Sherwood Forest reef tract. The Sherwood Forest reef is estimated to be over 9,000 years old and remains an important breeding ground for multiple fish species. 

In addition to Sherwood Forest there is the famous Avanti Windjammer shipwreck located near Loggerhead Key. The vessel is 261 feet long and in excellent condition. The dive is 18 to 21 feet deep and is considered appropriate for a novice diver yet also enjoyable for an advanced diver. 

The only problem with diving in The Dry Tortugas is the lack of one-day dive excursions. Most likely you will have to take a live-aboard dive trip for three to five days of your trip to Key West, unless you have the luxury of your own boat. A highly recommended charter company is Sea-Clusive Customer Charter Company. The company offers up to six dives a day, comfortable living quarters and customizable dives to fit any dive level.

After you pull into the port on your final day of your dive excursion, Key West has numerous activities to offer for the rest of your stay. Your first area to explore should be Duval Street in the heart of downtown Key West.

Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, Duval Street is home to Sloppy Joe's Bar, as well as world-famous drag shows for the adventurous at 801 Bourbon Bar. Of course, it also boasts plenty of tourist shops to find the perfect souvenir T-shirt to take home.

If Duval Street is too much for you to handle, there is a historical side to Key West that can be found at the Hemingway House and Museum . The house was built in 1851 and became Noble Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway's home in 1931. The house remains almost the same as it was in Hemingway's time, from the beautiful furniture to the presence of the descendants of Hemingway's beloved six-toed cat. This piece of treasured history is one you can't miss while in Key West.

If you have not had enough of the Dry Tortugas, I would recommend you take a trip to Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson, in The Dry Tortugas National Park, is 70 miles off the coast of Key West and is easily accessed by seaplane or ferry. Fort Jefferson is well-known for its rich history and wonderful snorkeling. 

Aerial View of Fort Jefferson in The Dry Tortugas National Park
(Pic from: www.worldtourismplace.com)

Fort Jefferson was built in the mid-1800's and is America's largest coastal fort. It was originally built to protect the Gulf of Mexico shipping-lanes, but was never finished due to construction problems and Yellow Fever outbreaks that plagued the island. It later became a military prison during the Civil War and held the four men convicted of participating in President Lincoln's assassination. Today, Fort Jefferson is a National Monument that provides tours, snorkeling, bird watching and camping.

So whether you're looking for next year's spring break destination or just want to live aboard a boat and dive for a few days, Key West and The Dry Tortugas could be the right place for you!