September 2009 >> Archives

"Caribbean Diving – No Passport Required"

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You deserve a break!

All rooms 20% OFF published rates
1 September - 29 October 2009

*** ASK FOR the "INTERNET SPECIAL" RATE when making your reservation ***

Check room rates

 

Up coming Events in the Lower Keys

Bikes in Paradise

37th Annual Key West Poker Run
17 - 20 Sept 2009
More info

 

 

Mardi Gras - Key West Style

Only in Key West. Think of it as recess for adults. You've never spent Halloween quite like this! This year's theme - "Villains Vixens and Vampires."

Come celebrate the 30th Annual Fantasy Fest
23 October - 1 Nov 2009
Photos
Schedule of events

 

 

 

Attention Bug hunters!!

The 2009 Lobster season is in FULL SWING.

We have air fills and all of your "hunting supplies." We also rent scuba gear.

Questions about gear prep, hunting regulations, online license purchase? Check out Lobster Season FAQ's

 

Meet the staff

Don has been with Looe Key Dive Center for 18 months and he's one of our busiest Dive Instructors! Until a few years ago, he lived in Oregon where he got plenty of experience with cold water and drysuit diving. An instructor for eight years, he says that he often "passed through" Key West on his way to warmer points south. He finally decided to pack away his drysuit for good and live fulltime in the Lower Florida Keys. On his rare days off, Don likes to sail and spearfish. He's also an avid wreck diver - he's got dozens of dives on the recently sunk Vandenberg.

Check out pictures of some of Don's "scuba grads" on our Students page.

 

 

 

Learn to dive in your jammies

Did you know that PADI now offers ONLINE instruction for the Advanced Open Water Diver certification? That's right - you can do the classroom work at your convenience, from the comfort of your home. Learn more about

Gear Meister is on vacation this month!

He's taking advantage of the EXCELLENT diving conditions on Looe Key Reef.

Right now, he's probably relaxing post- dive at the Looe Key Resort Tiki Bar

You can read his prior columns here.

 

 

 

 

 

Project AWARE

 

The underwater world needs heroes!

You can be one of them by championing the causes of the world’s most fragile and important aquatic ecosystems. Learn about some of the most pressing problems facing these vulnerable environments and everyday actions you can take to help conserve them. It’s informative, interesting and most importantly, you learn how to make a difference.

 

What You Learn

• The ocean and coastal zone issues
• Fisheries challenges and sustainability
• Coral environment overview and inhabitants
• The role of the scuba diver in protecting aquatic environments

Prerequisites

There are no prerequesites for this specialty.

The Learning Materials You Need

Our World, Our Water peels back the curtain and takes you behind the scenes of our underwater world. Discover just how important our underwater eco-systems are and what you can do to help protect them.

Visit Project AWARE Foundation to download your copy today.

Schedule your class now! Call Looe Key Dive Center 1-800-942-5397
or contact us by e-mail

More info about this specialty at PADI.com

 

Have you seen this fish??

Beautiful but deadly, the lionfish is an invasive exotic species native to the Indo-Pacific region. It is being found in increasing numbers along the east coast of the United States as well as the Caribbean. The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a predatory fish with few natural enemies that devours smaller indigenous reef fish at an alarming rate. It also poses a threat to divers and fishermen - the fins are tipped with venomous spines that inflict a painful sting.
So far, we have not seen the red lionfish on Looe Key reef. It has, however, been spotted off Bahia Honda and Key West . What can you do?

If you see this fish, report it
More info about lionfish here

 

 

Looe Key Fish of the Month
Blue Parrotfish, Scarus coeruleus

Listen carefully when you see this fish - you'll hear scraping noises as it grazes on the reef. Using it's strong front teeth, the blue parrotfish (like other members of the parrotfish family) feeds on algae that grows on the coral. This is an important function because, otherwise, algae overgrowth would smother the coral. The adult blue parrotfish varies in color from light blue to deep blue and blue-green. They aren’t shy and usually won’t move away until closely approached.