Often celebrated as a top snorkeling spot and one of the best beginner diving sites in the Florida Keys, Sombrero Reef near Marathon offers a look at how great diving and snorkeling can be. As the largest reef formation in the Middle Keys [1] and a designated...
Updated: September 2025: Added local night-dive site notes, safety clarifications, and planning tips. The ocean feels like another world when you’re night night scuba diving. Coral polyps bloom, nocturnal predators prowl (don’t worry), and bioluminescent...
Coffins Patch reef is a shallow coral reef system in the Middle Florida Keys, located about 4 miles off Marathon near Key Colony Beach. It’s part of a protected Sanctuary Preservation Area known for some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys. The reef’s eerie...
The Florida Keys hold more than just beaches and sunsets. Beneath the surface, a vibrant world of coral reefs, sea turtles, tropical fish and much more awaits for you. Scuba diving unlocks that world, even for first-timers. This post will discuss how to prepare for...
A trip to the ocean brings an important debate—scuba diving vs snorkeling. Both offer incredible views of marine life, but they feel completely different. Snorkeling keeps things simple, letting you float on the surface and watch the underwater world. Scuba diving...
Welcome to our Cressi Maui Fins review. The Cressi Maui Fins are causing a stir in the snorkeling and diving world. They’re built for everyone—weekend snorkelers, hardcore divers and anyone in between. Lightweight. Flexible. Easy to adjust. These fins promise a mix of...
Updated: September 2025 – Added “from shore/without a boat” tips, local rules, and quick planning notes. It’s not easy to narrow down the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys. The Keys are 120 miles of easy-access reef and shallow water, from Key West to...
If you’re looking for the best places to dive in the Florida Keys, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re a scuba diver—or even just thinking about giving it a try—there’s no better destination in the United States than the Florida Keys. This tropical stretch of...
The beautiful Florida Keys are facing a significant threat from an invasive species: the lionfish. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, these venomous fish have been introduced to the Atlantic Ocean, wreaking havoc on local marine ecosystems. This post will discuss...
As you approach retirement or separation from active duty, imagine launching your next career in the thriving dive industry. Through the DOD SkillBridge program, Capt. Hook’s, in partnership with the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), offers a...
