Florida Keys Reef Tract

[aromano]

Hey reefers,

This weekend I went in a snorkeling trip in the Florida Keys Reef Tract, which is the only living coral barrier reef in North America, and is the 3rd largest coral barrier reef in the world. This reef is absolutely amazing with warm, crystal clear water from the Gulf Stream just offshore, and a fantastic richness of life found there, which makes the reefs of the Florida Keys one of the most uniquely beautiful sites I has even seen in my life.

The reefs are very low-relief and shallow, with the coral growing as a carpet along the bottom and the fish hovering over the top, which was fantastic for novice snorkelers like my self. The pictures really don't make any justice and are just for reference of the trip and to remind me to invest into an underwater housing for my digital camera.

I hope you guys like it... ;-)

 

[reefman23]

YOU LUCKY, LUCKY MAN!!!!

Incredible!

Jesse

 

[r00onmac]

you know i was just east of that (maybe 500 yards) during my 1st qualification dive for my scuba.... 6 foot seas, and when i was down 35 feet doing skills i would shift almost 10 feet each way with the waves lol... glad to see things were clearer for you...

 

[sadielynn]

Its funny you posted these pics . I was telling my hubby Iwould love to do this kind of thing these are GREAT PICS thanks for sharing :mrgreen:

 

[EDGRAY]

Wow :shock: i bet you had some fun ha Andre.... Also any souvenier from the mayor reef????
Are you allow to get something when you are snorkeling :lol: :lol: ....Now i want to go there tooo.... you guys are so lucky first Mike then you who's next??? on scuba or snorkeling????

hate u guys :mrgreen:

 

[skipm]

Don't hate 'em Eddy, join 'em. Those are some great pics. Whaty are all of the fish in the third pic?

 

[r00onmac]

the fourth pic is blue atlantic tang.... they look almost identicle to the yellow ones but they are a deep blue... definately something i will collect when i setup a bigger tank...

 

[aromano]

Ed,

This place is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and as a result, the reefs that we visit are now under heavier protection, and are already showing great benefits from this protection.

Many of the most sensitive, healthiest reefs are now protected as Sanctuary Preservation Areas, a designation that was put in place July 1st, 1997, to provide additional protection for those areas by making it illegal to fish, stand, anchor on the reef, or even touch anything within those boundaries.

This protection has boosted levels of large gamefish on the reefs and greatly stabilized the overall health of the reef tract while still allowing for eco-tourism activities.

All I took with me is great memories and some semi decent pictures. :mrgreen:

What are all of the fish in the third pic?

Skimp,

On the 3rd picture counting from the bottom to top, that is a school of Sergeant Major fish, a common reef fish found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. It derives its name (sergeant major) from the five black bars that resemble the insignia of sergeant major in the military.

These guys can grow up to 8 inches, and are a plankton-eating damselfish.

 

[EDGRAY]

Cool so at least you had your suvenir (good memories) haa great.....

 

[Coralreefdiver]

Florida Keys

Diving in the Keys is about the best diving your going to do in North America, for warm water fish.

What reef were you at?

Once you get your certifications, and perhaps an advanced rating, I would recommend the Speigel Grove, and the Duane. Both are located in the Key Largo area. Strong currents, but awesome wrecks. Tons of fish, big grouper, and normally the 2nd dive they take you to Molasses Reef, or another shallow water dive to play.

Great pics!