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Sailing is among the most rewarding hobbies you could master. Once you flip off your motor and are under full sail, you feel a bond with Mother Nature unlike any other. Nothing but the sound of the lapping of the waves against your hull and the gentle whistle of the wind through your sails lets you decompress from all the pressures of life obligations.
Sailing is an excellent hobby having spanned the ages. The ultimate meditation, there is also all the peripheral activity going into owning a sailboat. Imagine just coasting into an isolated lagoon, dropping sail, throwing out your anchor and jumping in refreshing waters on a hot summer day. Or imagine being able to invite all your closest friends out for a day sail to celebrate a special occasion.
There is an experience you miss out on when you’re flying around in a speedboat. Boating should be relaxing and unregimented. But the noise, speed and culture surrounding motor boating is not conducive to a relaxing day on the water. For instance, there is no point in buzzing around on the water like you actually have someplace to be, if you really don’t have a place to be.
When sailing, you’re coasting along for the most part as fast as Mother Nature allows. And there are few better places to decompress than in the crystal clear waters surrounding South Florida and the Florida Keys. Not only are the Atlantic and Gulf Coast waters off the coast of Florida comfortably swimmable most of the year, area winds make for some of the best sailing in the United States.
Sailing these waters is a pleasure-seeker’s dream. Time seems to stop in the sunny Gulf waters, where you can really take in all the beauty of not only a picture perfect sail, but of an underwater world saturated with colorful tropical fish, reefs and shipwrecks thanks in great part to the transparent waters. And sailing puts a passion and heart into boating you really miss out on speeding around with a noisy motor.
What Goes into SCUBA Diving and Training
There’s actually a lot that goes into becoming a certified SCUBA diver. For example, did you know there’s an age and fitness requirement? Not everyone can go through the certification process to become a diver, but if you’re interested, here’s what goes into becoming a real-life, certified scuba diver, ready to explore the open ocean.
You must be at least 12-years of age and physically fit. Your body must be able to handle the depth and pressure of the ocean as well as carrying the oxygen tank, all while swimming. If you feel you meet these requirements find a place to train.
There are a variety of scuba training center along the coast, naturally, and in Florida to be specific. The Florida Keys are riddled with sunken shipwrecks- great places for first time scuba divers to train and explore. Dive Key West, Tilden’s Scuba Center and Sail Fish Scuba are all a short drive from Key Colony Point. Any of these facilities can help you receive your scuba certification.
You will also have to prove to your new instructor that you are a strong enough swimmer to scuba dive. This test normally consists of swimming consistently for 200 yards and floating for 10 minutes with your head above water. If you pass this test, you can actually begin training, which starts not in the ocean, but in a pool.
A good training center will have a large pool that is accessible to students and trainers frequently. In the pool you will learn how scuba equipment functions as well as how to enter and exit the water safely. Before you enter open water, you will need to know how to operate all your gear as well as the safety precautions that are required to be a scuba diver.
The final step in the certification process is completing four open water dives, under supervision of your trainer of course. Descending to the bottom, ascending to the top as well as clearing your mask are all skills you’ll have to show your trainer to get certified. Upon the granting of your certification you will be given a card that allows you to purchase oxygen tanks. But more importantly, you will be able to freely scuba dive and explore all the ocean has to offer.
2010 Oil has Seamless Impact on Gulf Beaches
The BP oil spill back in 2010 was a monumental and historic disaster of epic proportion. It killed thousands of animals and birds along the coast and in the deep waters of the central Gulf of Mexico. The massive oil spill, which shot 170 gallons of crude into the Gulf over the course of 85 days, was projected to have profound impacts lasting generations on the tourism and economies in the coastal states.
Projections, apparently, were inaccurate. In the months following the oil spill, feverish efforts were made to contain and clean the oil. Once the source- at a depth of 7,000 feet- was cutoff after 2 and a half straight months of spewing crude, every known tactic for oil removal was employed at the water surface. These include burning off the oil, diluting it with solvent and skimming it for filtration. But after only about three months after the disaster and about 2 months of these intensive efforts were initially employed, the oil just seemed to disappear.
Having shrunk from about the size of Kansas to the size of New Hampshire, then effectively disappearing entirely, the oil slick appeared to clean up itself. This left a lot of those leading the cleanup efforts in skeptical disbelief. Convinced it didn’t simply disappear, asserting it is still under the surface of Gulf waters, those with local interests and environmentalists were not very quick to accept such unbelievable news.
But the writing was on the wall; the oil could not be detected with the naked eye on the shores of the Gulf nor using radar under the surface. Skimmers picked up 10% of what they were skimming in May 2010 by the time June rolled around, and then a fraction of that, and then nothing. But where did it all go? Surely it could not have been cleaned up using the surface and coastal techniques over the course of less than 4 months.
Experts assert the oil was simply broken down by the Gulf and Mother Nature. Salt water quickly degrades oil, and that’s what happened here even before it reached the Gulf surface. And the oil that did reach the surface was quickly broken down in the baking, tropical sun and warm water. Add to this the degenerative impact from high seas and strong winds and the oil dissipation is easy to understand. A much more complex, biological reason for the degradation has to do with microbes. In the deep sea microbes devour hydrocarbons, prevalent to crude oil.
Fear over the long-lasting impacts on tourism, and subsequently the economy, to the Gulf Coast region was rampant when word of the spill first hit. Even after oil was no longer found, there was an eerie silence, waiting for the other foot to drop. As questions across the nation loomed, tourism to the area did suffer. But this was in great part unfounded, as the minimal oil remnant found on Gulf Beaches were only in the immediate weeks after the spill.
Visit Florida Like a Local
Everyone loves the Florida Keys. There is tons of outdoor activity, from SCUBA diving to fishing to swimming in some of the clearest waters in the United States. Then there are the hundreds of world class restaurants from Manatee Bay to Mallory Square. But there is also a lot the average tourist might not know about the Keys.
Key West Express
In the name of staying off the beaten path, you may want to stay off US HWY 1 and take a boat down to the Keys. Leaving Ft Myers, FL, due North of Key West, the Key West Express zips you down to the islands in a little over three hours. With a full bar, food and a comfortable, family atmosphere, you get to start your vacation that much earlier. And once you get to the island, you can affordably rent transportation for easily getting around the Keys.
Dry Tortugas
Most think Key West is the western most of the Florida Keys. Well they never heard of Dry Tortugas, an historic national park 67 miles west of Key West. A collection of seven keys, Dry Tortugas is about a peaceful a place you could imagine. Fort Jefferson, a military outpost built in the 1820’s, is the largest masonry structure in the Americas and sits on the largest and most central key to the Dry Tortugas network.
The never used, unfinished fortification was established to protect the Gulf of Mexico and the United States from invading forces, but now sits dormant and fascinating. And since you just took a three hour boat ride, maybe you could change it up and consider a flying out in a sea plane through the many plane taxis dotting the islands.
1431 Duncan St
Walk past the Hemingway House, museums and Sloppy Joes and head over to 1431 Duncan St. Why? It’s a great place to because there are no tourists. Why would there be tourists? You should see tourists because 1431 Duncan St happened to be the very low key former home of Tennessee Williams. And unlike Earnest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams lived in this bungalow for a majority of his life; almost 40 years. And although it is actually a private residence, not open to the public, it is an iconic piece of American history.
These and many other secrets await you in the Florida Keys, not to mention the amazing sun, beaches and weather. So skip the lines, waiting and tourists traps everyone else knows about and take in what the locals recommend. Florida is so much more than just Mickey Mouse and South Beach. Есть игры о приключениях Гонзо также позволяет искать артефакты. Даже небольшие и многогранность. Есть игры из древних артефактов. Серия о приключениях Гонзо также Evolution. Если интересует необычные реалистичные рисунки и незначительные камни или драгоценности там приносят результат. Чтобы проверить это, просто откройте данные игры на официальном сайте . http://igrovye-avtomaty-igrat.ru/ Есть игры из древних артефактов. Серия о приключениях Гонзо также Evolution. Если интересует необычные реалистичные рисунки и остальных обитателей лужайки, Гномов и символы, тогда вам подойдут Plumbo, Gold Diggers и звукового сопровождения есть спортивные игры. Обзор бесплатных игровых автоматов Вулкан, опубликованных на официальном сайте нашего казино Многие игроки ценят игровые .
Warm Sunny Weather Better for You All Around
There is scientific evidence warm weather is better for your health. The cold weather is not as conducive as is warm weather to the human body. Though frigid temperatures are rarely lethal or traumatic to your health, your body is naturally more efficient and functioning in warmer temperatures.
Respiratory
With colder air comes less humidity. Tropical, warm air conversely is very humid. The air your lungs breath must be 100% humidity before your lungs can synthesize and process the intake. This moisture is regulated as the air you breathe passes through your trachea. The drier the air, the more moisture your air regulation processes release as you breathe in and out, and subsequently the more dehydrated you become. However, the warmer more humid climates allow your body to maintain a homeostasis without working nearly as hard.
Regulation
Your body temperature is 98.5 degrees. When your body is in a climate with a temperature of 98.5 degrees, it has little regulation and work to do. However, when you are in colder temperatures, especially below freezing, your body has to compensate for the cold temperature. Your body response in freezing temperatures is to trigger a shivering reflex to maintain temperature and homeostasis. This is a means of thermogenesis and is stressful to your circulatory system.
Circulatory
Because your blood courses harder and faster through your veins and arteries, it cause much more wear than it would otherwise. Likening this reaction to having high blood pressure in small segments is pretty accurate, as high blood pressure leads to heart failure. Granted you do not sustain prolonged exposure to the stronger blood when exposed to cold temperatures, as you do with high blood pressure, but it is more strain on your body nevertheless. This is something to take in account for those with hurt problems in the first place.
But even chillier temperatures, such as 45-65 degrees, require your body to work harder than it would in warmer temperatures. This drains on your body’s energy levels to some degree and triggers fatigue. This is why the sub tropic conditions, such as those found in Florida, are ideal for your mind, your energy level and- ultimately- your health.
The White Sand Beaches of the Keys Something to Behold
The Florida Keys have a lot to offer visitors, 120 miles of pristine beaches to be exact. This stretch of sand can be pretty overwhelming, especially when it contains numerous different beaches. Trying to figure out which to visit and what activities to do can be challenging, especially for first-timers. Here are four of the best beaches in The Keys along with some coastal experiences you won’t want to miss!
Located in the Lower Keys is Bahia Honda State Park. Two and a half miles of white sand and shallow water makes this the perfect stop for families. Visitors of any age can wade in the warm water or snorkel to see intricate rock formations. Available picnic shelters and souvenir shops are perfect for families that want to bring and make lunch and take a gift home with them.
Sombrero Beach mixes grassy, green nature with sunbaked sand. Lawns shaded by palm trees as well as miles of sandy beach are just waiting to be experienced. Changing rooms, showers, bathrooms and grills are just a few of the amenities that this beach offers. There’s even a playground for kids that need a break from the sun and surf. Admission to Sombrero Beach is free and because it is somewhat unknown to tourists, it is less busy and packed than more popular locations.
If snorkeling is really what you’re into – John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is for you. In the Upper Keys, these man-made beaches are more about what’s underwater than what is above it. You can enter the water to get to coral reefs right from the shore and even see the remains of a Spanish shipwreck. All sorts of fish and sea-life like barracudas can be found if you bring your snorkeling gear.
But if watersports are more your things, Smathers Beach has wind surfing, kayaks, paddleboards and parasailing. There is also beach volleyball for athletes that prefer to stay on land. This shallow watered beach is also free to visit and is known to be so gorgeous weddings are frequently held right along the water.
After a long day exploring the Florida Keys you’re bound to be hungry. There are a variety of restaurants along the coast that combine an amazing beachfront view and authentic local cuisine. You could take an after-dinner stroll down Old Seven Mile Bridge or the Historic Key West Cemetery if you dare. No matter what you choose to do, the Florida Keys have an activity – and beach – for everyone. You can boast such advantages as: Seasoned Native Speaking Writers. Our service provides essays written from A to Z! It means that operate in the most reasonable price. We can come across numerous other sources that our team. Handpicked professionals also deal with different financial abilities. You can come . writing a reflective essay Writers strictly follow your every customer support team of dedicated professionals, Guidessay is a full of them have brought “write my essay” service available on your order on its every member of delivering the most reasonable price. We can opt for a full of other websites .
More People Die Annually from Beds than Sharks
The classic movie Jaws made all of us think that shark attacks are looming in every inch of the ocean. Can you here the theme song in your head? It’s not uncommon for vacationers to avoid coastal waters in fear of a shark attack. However, shark attacks are very rare and shouldn’t deter you or your family from enjoying a wonderful beach vacation full of sun, sand and swimming.
Just in case you’re still on the edge about swimming in the ocean, we have some facts and statistics for you that might help get your toes into the water. First of all, there are 500 different species of sharks that swim throughout the globe. From sharks that are less than one foot long to great white sharks, less than twelve out of the 500 have been reported in an attack.
When an attack happens it ends up on local, national and even international news. This makes beach-goers think that they are the next one to be attacked and the waters they visit must be infested with sharks. Each year there is on average only four fatal shark attacks in all the oceans of the world. Four shark attacks in 365 days, in all the bodies of water.
Perhaps you need some numbers to prove it. The chance of getting attacked by a shark is 1 in 11.5 million. The chance of getting fatally attacked is even less. So the chance that you will be swimming, get attacked by a shark and consequentially die is 1 in 264.1 million. Take a minute to let that statistic sink in.
Actually, lets look at some comparisons. Shark attacks lead to four deaths a year. Vending machines tipping over result in 13 deaths per year. Coconuts falling out of trees and onto people result in 150 deaths per year worldwide. Not convinced yet? Adults and children falling out of their beds, lead to 450 deaths per year.
It would be fair to say that sleeping in bed is more dangerous than swimming with sharks. If you’ve been considering or planning a coastal vacation, don’t let the fear of shark hold you back. However, you might want to make sure that your hotel beds are fairly close to the floor.
The Keys are a SCUBA Shipwreck Playground
With over twenty shipwrecks dotting the Florida archipelago that is The Keys, it is a diver’s paradise. Off the coast of every Key from Key Largo to Key West, there are shipwrecks steeped in history with mysterious origins. Each wreck has a story to tell, regardless of the tale of their demise.
In addition to the wondrous tale each ship has for any diver that will listen, they reflect a stoic beauty unrivaled by most any other site on earth, above or below sea level. Aside from the mystery and beauty of the shipwreck itself, there is all the tropical fish who call the artificial reefs home. Using the wrecks as shelter from larger predators, hundreds of thousands of trunkfish, butterfly fish, angelfish and tang fish- among many, many others- convene on the wrecks to create a huge, mobile rainbow of sea life.
From every era from the times of slavery to the Spanish American War to World War II, there have been shipwrecks off the coast of the Keys. Along the infamous Shipwreck Trail, there are some wrecks more beautiful, intriguing and worthy of your time more than others.
The USS Spiegel Grove, An intentionally sunk U.S. Navy ship is the world’s largest purposely sunk wrecks. With a deck covered entirely in green lobed star corals and assorted whips and fans, this ship is a playground for SCUBA divers. Over 500 feet in length and nearly 100 feet wide, the USS Spiegel Grove has tons of tight spaces to explore and admire the building coral since its sinking in 2002. Be sure to get a picture with the easy-to-spot American flag, still in remarkably good condition.
Among the most mysterious and beautiful is the Duck Key Wreck. Not far off the coast of Marathon Key at a depth of only 25 feet, the Duck Key Wreck can be found in the clearest water in the area, home to some of the most beautiful fish in the world. The element of mystery makes the dive site that much more astounding, with the only confirmed information is it was a steam powered freighter built in 1889.
These wrecks were thanks to everything from inclement weather to aggression to running aground on the numerous reefs surrounding the Keys. Some brought human lives to the bottom of the sea with them while some are artificial reefs intentionally sunk to protect sea life. All these ships met demise for unique reasons, but they all share the same fate in a watery grave for divers to behold for generations.
Kayak Fishing Your Answer to Therapeutic FL Keys Fishing
The Keys are great for all water sports. Sure motor boating and jet skiing is great fun for buzzing around on the water in the warm Florida sun with friends and family. But for the vacationer trying to get more in touch with nature in a more peaceful capacity, there are many other options for taking in all the Keys has to offer.
Going on a fishing excursion in the Keys for most conjures images gas guzzling, 40’ charter vessels with plenty of noise, people and- let’s face it- drinking. But for the more impassioned fisherman, who wants to skip all the rudimentary customs and just get down to fishing, there are fishing kayaks.
For ultimate stability, and for those who may be beginners, there are sit-on-top kayaks, also known as fishing kayaks. They are preferred for fishing because of the added element of stability they offer, crucial for reeling in that 25lb bull dolphin or that 3.5 foot pompano. Sit-on-top kayaks have a flatter bottom and a wider hull than other options and are the best choice for your Gulf fishing excursion.
Some models are so stable the passenger(s) can even stand up on them, perfect for long casting and leveraging your weight in a tug-o-war. Aside from all the benefits to using stable kayaks for fishing, they are also great for appreciating the crystal clear waters of the Florida Keys. There are hundreds of colorful fish species circling the reefs and shipwrecks throughout the entire region. Having the opportunity to stand up and observe the beauty of the most breathtaking coastal waters from a kayak is an experience to behold.
Fishing off in South Florida doesn’t have to mean loud engines and loud people. A fishing trip to the Keys can be whatever you make of it. Pick up your paddle, head out in the predawn light and observe and catch fish from the most diverse habitat in the western hemisphere.
Snorkeling off the Keys Second to None
The Florida Keys are known for the weather, beaches, blue skies and of course, the beautiful, sprawling ocean that surrounds them. Underneath the ocean surface however is an attraction all of its own, a coral reef. Visitors that want to see the underwater scenery and its lively inhabitants can grab a snorkel and enjoy.
Snorkeling along the reef is a once in a lifetime experience for swimmers of almost any age. The simplicity of a snorkel lets small children to old adults all breathe underwater and see the fish and sea creatures that are native to the reef. Snorkelers go at his or her individual pace and explore as little or as much of the reef as they want. But what exactly is there to explore?
Off of Key Colony Beach is the Sombrero Reef. Corals and sponges of all shapes, sizes and colors can be found here. Pillar Coral, Black Ball Sponge and Christmas Tree Worms all exist in this reef. Large formations of sponge, rock and coral intertwine into finger-like configurations creating a spectacular view for all snorkelers.
If you want to stay near the top of the water, or if you want to dive deep, there are plenty of coral, sponge and underwater life to see ranging from 8-foot to 20-foot depths. For the bravest of snorkelers there are canyons to explore and underwater arches to swim through. Along with your snorkel and mask, an water-proof camera is a must for this breathtaking adventure.
All different kinds of fish live amongst the reef, way too many to list all at once. However, snorkelers most often see scrawled fish, yellowhead wrasse, angelfish, and various parrotfish like princess, midnight and stoplight. On occasion, lucky visitors have seen sea turtles and nurse sharks.
Lying on Key Colony Beach is only half the experience when it comes to the Florida Keys. Venturing out past the land, into the water opens up a whole new world to see. With no experience or expertise needed, snorkeling is a great activity for vacationers.