3 Must-See Scuba Diving Sites in Miami, Florida
Scuba dive with me to the Underwater Hotel at Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo at a depth of 30 feet which I consider a true hidden gem in the Miami area.
I just returned from Miami where I obtained my PADI open water diving license. It required 3 full days of diving plus many online courses in order to get certified. The courses and gear set me back $600 Canadian dollars.
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Best Places for Travel in Key Largo
1. Jules Undersea Lodge
The only underwater hotel in the United States. It is 30 feet (9 m) deep on the ocean floor and guests have to scuba dive to get to their rooms.
2. Molasses Reef
One of the better-known sites for divers and snorkelers alike is Molasses Reef, a vibrant underwater habitat off Key Largo.
3. Neptune Memorial Reef
The largest man-made reef ever conceived and, when complete, will have transformed over 16 acres of barren ocean floor.
At Molasses Reef we dove to a depth of 42 ft, around 12 meters navigating through gorgeous corals and ocean life. The ocean was quite wild causing many people on the boat to get seasick and throwup.
The toughest part must have been crunching the dive tables which help you avoid decompression sickness, a serious illness caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the bloodstream by moving up too fast from deep water to the surface.
The lagoon water at Jules' Undersea Lodge isn't that clear but still worth visiting. Underwater room rates start at $150 per person for a 3-hour stay knowing how to dive is required to get to your room since it is located at a depth of 30 ft, 6.4 meters.
My diving equipment existed out of fins: Mares, Piana avanti HP 9.5/10.5. 44-45. Outer jacket: Henderson divewear size L and Body wetsuit: Henderson divewear 3mm size M.
If you are considering becoming a PADI open water diver I recommend South Beach Dive & Surf shop in Miami, where I received a massive discount by using this Groupon. Go make use of it while it is still valid: click here.