Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Snorkelers and divers should not miss the Keys' most dramatic reefs at the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Here you'll see more than 150 varieties of hard and soft coral -- some centuries old -- as well as every type of tropical fish, including gold and blue parrotfish, moray eels, barracudas, French angels, and tarpon. Looe Key Dive Center, U.S. 1 at MM 27.5, Ramrod Key (tel. 305/872-2215), offers a mind-blowing 5-hour tour aboard a 45-foot catamaran with two shallow 1-hour dives for snorkelers and scuba divers. Snorkelers pay $30; divers with their own equipment pay $40. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can do a fascinating dive to the Adolphus Busch, Sr., a shipwreck sunk off Looe Key in 100 feet of water, for $45. Good-quality rentals are available.