Island and Reef tour
Now that we know the real geographical orientation of the keys it is easier to understand why, in the afternoon, while driving "south" toward Key West, the sun is in your face! It also helps in understanding that the keys are bounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the north and Atlantic Ocean on the south. (The Atlantic waters to the south are actually the Florida Straights, 90 miles wide, separating the Keys from Cuba. It is where the Gulf Stream begins its meandering 5000 mile journey from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mediterreanean Sea and is the reason why London and Paris, though 1000 miles more north than New York, has spring flowers blooming a month earlier!)
Another common mis-conception is that the islands connected by US 1 are the keys in entirety. Easy to think since they are the populated islands of the keys. US 1 and the biggest of the keys, in fact, follow a line midway between the open Gulf of Mexico 6 miles to the north and the Atlantic 6 miles south. Those edges, north and south, are the real edges of the Gulf and Atlantic abysses. The 12 miles separating the abysses is shallow water over Florida's continental shelf populated by islands and reefs.
Visitors who travel the keys on wheels, once west (south?) of Islamorada, can easily observe Gulf edge islands 6 miles north and towers marking reef locations 6 miles south. The pictures below are some of the most beautiful of each, easily reached and enjoyed in a day of boating from Key West. The crew of Hydro-Thunder wants to see your smiles of enjoyment upon your experience. We'll help you any way we can. Enjoy the pictures now and the real thing soon.
The Islands
CLICK on image to see larger view - use BACK button to return
CLICK on image to see larger view - use BACK button to return
The
islands, or keys, consist of two basic types of natural
formation. The most familiar, which are habitable, are on solid
ground of limestone bedrock and old coral. It is on these the
human population resides. The other, not readily apparent from a
distance, consists of only Mangrove vegetation growth above shallow
wetlands. These are favorite habitats of sea-dependent birds,
fish and reptiles. A close look will reveal only tangled masses
of Mangrove root rising above a floor of water or mud. The two
different species of keys provide uniquely different means for human
recreational pleasures, though certain words describe common aspects:
isolated, quiet, pristine, serenity. Additionally the
mangrove keys provide a primitive jungle view and wildlife observation
from their edges and from winding channels through them navigable by
small powerboat or human propelled kayak, canoe or skiff. The
islands pictured here, provide ingredients of sun, sand and
crystal clear water for mixing in any way that pleasures the
visitor.
Please Please, leave behind only footprints, bubbles, and the echoes of your enjoyment.
Please Please, leave behind only footprints, bubbles, and the echoes of your enjoyment.
Woman
Key - On the Atlantic side, 9 miles west of Key West.
Boca
Grande - On the Atlantic, 2 miles
beyond Woman Key.
Cottrell
Key - Betweem Atlantic and Gulf, 8 miles W of Key West.
Marvin
Key - On the Gulf side, 15 miles NE of Key West.
Snipe
Key - On the Gulf, 3 miles beyond Marvin Key.The
Reefs
CLICK on image to see larger view - use BACK button to return
CLICK on image to see larger view - use BACK button to return
The
reefs shown here are not entire reefs in themselves, but exposed
sections of a reef line that extends over 300 miles from 100 miles
north of Miami to Dry Tortugas, 70 miles beyond Key West. The
reef system is formed on the edge of Florida's continental shelf
averaging 6 miles.east of the Atlantic shoreline on mainland Florida
and south of the keys along US 1 beyond Key Largo. Depths of the
diveable reef areas vary from 100 feet to parts that are awash or even
dry, as pictured here in Middle Sambo. A dozen 100 foot towers
mark shallow sections of the reef that have been fatal to ships for
centuries. Bearing names such as: Carysfort, Alligator,
Tennessee, Sombrero, American Shoal and Sand Key (pictured
below). They are visible to drivers along US 1 and
represent some of the most romantic and adventurous marine history of
the U.S. The reef areas so marked are also the favorite habitats
of everything wild in the sea that loves sunshine as we humans
do. If you've enjoyed exploring a modern acquarium with
glass separating humans from sealife, you're in for a real treat when
you step, dive, fall, or otherways, get into, the water with them on
one of these reef locations. I, Capt. Jim, owner of Hydro-Thunder
and writer of this stuff, personally guarantee your enjoyment of a
school of thousands of small fish swarming about
you. I'll also guarantee that most of the fish bigger than you
which
include barracudas, sharks, rays, dolphins, whales (yep, they come here
too) and turtles (giant size). are, "just lookin' ".
