Medical Emergency Services

In case of any emergency call 911

MARINERS HOSPITAL, MM 91.5, Tavernier, 305-852-4418
FISHERMEN'S HOSPITAL, 3301 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-743-5533
FLORIDA KEYS HEALTH SYSTEM, 5900 College Road, Key West 305-294-5531

What's in Helpful Hints:

Milemarkers                  Local Cinemas and Theatres                   Fishing
Public Boat Ramps        Marine Weather Services                       Fishing Calendar
Dive Sites                      Parks and Beaches



Milemarkers

US 1 is used to travel the islands of the Florida Keys. Locations along the highway are expressed by Mile Marker numbers. The zero Mile Marker is found in Key West at the Monroe County Courthouse. Mile Marker numbers continue to increase until they pass through the Monroe County line at Mile Marker 112 north of Key Largo. Look for small green signs with white numbers posted at each mile along US1 (these used to be the original mile posts installed along the old railroad bed). Special Note: mile marker references are commonly used in local addresses, when there is a -B or -O it simply denotes either Bayside or Oceanside location.
CITY	MILE MARKER	MILES FROM MIAMI
Key West Big Pine Key Marathon Islamorada Plantation Key Tavernier Key Largo	8-0 39-9 65-40 85-66 90-85 94-91 110-95	160 129 110 76 71 67 66

Local Cinemas and Theatres

TAVERNIER TOWNE CINEMAS, 91264 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier,
305-853-7004 
MARATHON COMMUNITY CINEMA,  5101 O/S Hwy.,305-743-0288
MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE, 5101 O/S Hwy., Marathon,
305-743-0994


FISHING

Much saltwater history was born in the Florida Keys, in Islamorada, the world's capitol of sportfishing. You can start fishing and fly fishing close to shore with high water tarpon, then try redfish with the falling tide, and end with low water bonefish. Or go to the patch reefs or the main reef for snapper, grouper and of course sailfish. Continue out to the Islamorada or Marathon humps for dolphin (mahi mahi), tuna, and wahoo. And don't foget the bay for great back water fishing. You have it all within a days boating!

                      
Florida Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses

Licenses and fishing information can be purchased locally at many stores that have fishing supplies or at many drugstores. You can also purchase licenses at the Florida toll-free number 1-888.347-4356 or go directly on line to the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission at www.MYFWC.com  Please have your driver license and a credit card at the ready when making this call.

You will need an additional tag to your Florida saltwater recreational fishing license for lobsters (crawfish). ( Please see below under Spiny Lobster for more information.)

You do not need a license if you are:
·Any child under 16 years of age. (Must carry proof of age.)
·Any resident who is a member of the United States Armed Forces and not stationed in this state, when home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders.
·Any resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to the land.
·Any person fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid  vessel license.
·Any person fishing from a vessel, the operator of which has a valid vessel license issued in the name of the operator of the vessel.
Any person who holds a valid saltwater products license (SPL).
·Any resident fishing for a saltwater species in fresh water from land or from a structure fixed to land.
Any resident 65 years of age or older who has in her or his possession proof of age and esidency or a no-cost Florida Resident Senior Citizen license. A no-cost license may be obtained from any tax collector's office upon proof of age and residency and must be in the possession of the resident during hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing activities. 

Help Florida Conserve: Purchase a License Even if Exempt

Spiny Lobsters

Mini Season is usually the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. The full lobster season usually runs from August 6 to March 31. Please carry your Florida Recreational Saltwater Fishing License with a lobster tag. Please go to www.MYFWC.com/marine/lobster.htm to review the regulations, size limits, bag limits, time limits, and restricted areas. Another user friendly site about lobsters is www.florida-keys.fl.us/lobster.htm

Public Boat Ramps

Blackwater Sound, MM110-Bay Side
Harry Harris County Park, MM92.5-Ocean Side
Indian Key Fill, MM79-Bay Side
Marathon, MM54-Bay Side
Marathon Chamber of Commerce & Yacht Club, MM49-Bay Side
West of Seven Mile Bridge, Bayside
Spanish Harbor, Bay Side 
Shark Key Fill, Ocean Side
Cudjoe Key, Bay Side
Stock Island Ramp, MM7
Key West Garrison Bight Marina

Marine Weather Services

The National Weather Service provides current marine observations obtained from buoys or CMAN stations throughout the world. This information includes meteorological data (temperature, dew point, sea level pressure, pressure tendency), wind data, and oceanographic data (sea surface temperature, wave height, wave period).

For selection information throughout the State of Florida, click on:
NOAA'S INTERACTIVE MARINE OBSERVATIONS/FLORIDA

For current information for the Upper Keys area, click on:
CURRENT OBSERVATION FOR MOLASSES REEF, FL

For current information for the Middle Keys area, click on:
CURRENT OBSERVATION FOR LONG KEY, FL

For current information for the Middle Keys area, click on:
CURRENT OBSERVATION FOR SOMBRERO KEY, FL

For current information for the Lower Keys area, click on:
URRENT OBSERVATION FOR SAND KEY, FL

For current information for the Dry Tortugas area, click on:
CURRENT OBSERVATION FOR THE DRY TORTUGAS

Fishing Calendar

JANUARY Cobia cruise with stingrays in Hawk Channel. Kingfish peak late this month. Redfish appear out back.	JULY Dolphin and marlin plentiful. Tarpon scarce. Snapper and grouper still caught. Trout deep in backcountry.
FEBRUARY Sailfish, kingfish, large blackfin and amberjack abound. On "cold" nights, shrimp run through channels on outgoing tide.	AUGUST Lobster season opens. Fishing best in early morning and evening.
MARCH Tuna and amberjack increase; dolphin and wahoo begin; sails and kings taper off. Bonefish, permit, tarpon in backcountry.	SEPTEMBER Amberjack and shark return. Dolphins on decline. Wahoo on upswing. Yellowtail on reefs with snapper inside. Bonefish are back; tarpon around bridges.
APRIL Dolphin, bonefish and tarpon rise.	OCTOBER Permit and bonefish peak. Dolphin and marlin back. Grouper and snapper abundant in deep holes. Sharks increase in backcountry and offshore.
MAY Dolphin, bonefish at peak. Redfish and snook flood backcountry. Dolphin, tuna, amberjack, blue and white marlin, and giant bluefin tuna late in month.	NOVEMBER Sailfish and kings offshore. Tarpon and bonefish taper off. Dolphin and marlin decline. Mutton snapper increase.
JUNE Dolphin, marlin, wahoo and bonefish peak. Sailfish and tarpon taper off. Snapper and grouper still caught. Dolphin and marlin plentiful. Tarpon scarce. Trout in backcountry.	DECEMBER Sailfish build to peak. Kingfish strong offshore. Trout, redfish, jack crevalle and blacktip shark outback.

Dive Sites

The variety of diving available in the Florida Keys matches both the skill levels and interests of the Scuba diving visitor.  This lists includes the major sites by area, but your charter captain will be able to share other places that you are sure to enjoy.

KEY LARGO AND ISLAMORADA DIVE SITES
TURTLE REEF Depth Range: 25 feet Experience Level: Intermediate	Located at the northernmost site of the Key Largo Marine Sanctuary, most reef species are represented here. Site is relatively shallow, visibility usually good as it's location protects it from the strong currents lying beyond but it is influenced by tidal currents passing through Hawk Channel.
CARYSFORT REEF Depth Range: 35-70 feet Experience Level: Intermediate Location: 25?13.80 80?12.74	Because of its distance from the more central dive sites, comparatively few divers visit this reef although it is of exceptional interest and beauty offering a variety of dive options from shallow to deep dives. The shallow upper section of the reef abounds with marine life and is perfect for snorkelers.
CARYSFORT SOUTH Depth Range: 20 feet Experience Level: Intermediate Location: 25?13.00 80?13.06	A natural extension of Carysfort Reef, similar in its configuration and displays a double reef structure. It's famous elkhorn coral gardens make this reef a highly attractive location. South of the reef lies the remains of the H.M.S. Winchester, a 933 ton British man-of-war that sank in 1695 after running aground on the reef.
THE ELBOW Depth Range: 12-35 feet Experience Level: Novice Location: 25?08.82 80?15.19	Named for the angular shape of the reef, it is a classic example of spurs and grooves meandering down the slope of the reef. The coral fingers are extremely well-defined and are separated by level passages of clean sand; some of the spurs are high enough to be considered miniwalls. Corals and fish abound here but wrecks hold the secret to the appeal of this site. The Civil War Wreck, a 752 ton steamer sunk in 1866 has lovely fingers of elkhorn coral situated at depths of 6-18 feet. The remains of two more wrecks, probably a tug and a barge are also scattered in this area.
KEY LARGO DRY ROCKS Depth Range: Shallow to 25 feet Experience Level: Novice	By far the most famous dive in the Key Largo Marine Sanctuary. The Statue of Christ of the Abyss (also known as Christ of the Deep), rests on a concrete base located within a short canyon. This area is also celebrated for its marvelous specimens of brain coral and the eastern side of the reef displays classic coral fingers which are rich in marine life. Smoky, the celebrated barracuda, is a regular here. This area also includes Grecian Rocks an extremely popular reef among snorkelers.
GRECIAN ROCKS Depth Range: Shallow to 25 feet Experience Level: Novice	Grecian Rocks is an exceptionally popular reef for snorkelers. The grass and sand on the back side provide good anchorage, and the shallow reef buffers the waves so the waters are very calm even on windy days. It is very easy for snorkelers to swim from the boat up to the reefline where the corals and brightly colored fish abound.
THE CHRIST OF THE DEEP STATUE Depth: 25 feet Experience Level: Novice	The Christ Statue was cast in Italy and donated to the Underwater Society of America by Egidi Cressi, an Italian industrialist and diving equipment manufacturer. It is a 9 foot tall bronze duplicate of the Christ of the Abysses statue, which stands in 50 feet of water off Genoa, Italy. Set in a beautiful reef area known for its outstanding brain corals, the figure of Christ stands silhouetted against the blue waters of the ocean, His arms upraised to the surface. This dramatic and memorable picture is one that most diving visitors to the Keys shouldn't miss.
THE BENWOOD Depth Range: 50 feet offshore   20 feet inshore Experience Level: Novice to   Intermediate Location: 25?03.16 80?20.02	An English built cargo vessel lost in a tragic chain of events in 1942. The Benwood rests on a level expanse of sand noticeably lacking in coral growth, so apart from the wreck itself there is comparatively little to see. Its fractured stern lies directly beneath the marker at a depth of 2 feet, while its bow points offshore at a depth of 45 feet. The bow section looms up out of the sand, in contrast with the rest of the ship which is almost wholly submerged.
FRENCH REEF Depth Range: Shallow to 100 feet Experience Level: Novice to Advanced Location: 25?02.06 80?21.00	An exceptionally beautiful site, the ever popular reef is crammed full of caves, canyons, ledges, tunnels and swim-throughs. French Reef is home to innumerable fish species.
BLUE HOLE Depth Range: 30-70 feet Experience Level: Intermediate	A relatively deep site, slopes gently from a depth of 30 ft. down to the sandy seafloor, depth 70 ft. To find the Blue Hole itself, look for two sand chutes running from the slope of the reef to its base; south of the chutes a type of mound thrusts its way upwards out of a deep canyon. The seafloor is of clean sand, without the well-developed staghorn and elkhorn colonies observed elsewhere.
MOLASSES REEF Depth Range: Shallow to 40 feet Experience Level: Novice to    Intermediate Location: 25?00.74 80?22.40	Reigns as the world's most popular dive site. The reef comprises a classic spur and groove system which begins near the surface and falls of gradually to a depth of 55 ft. It is washed by the Gulf Stream, so visibility is usually excellent. Impressive concentrations of marine flora and fauna cover just about the entire tropical reef spectrum.
BIBB & DUANE Depth Range: 50-130 feet Experience Level: Advanced Location: 24?59.71 80?22.77 (Bibb) Location: 24?59.38 80?22.92 (Duane)	Twin 327' coast guard cutters were painstakingly sunk in 1987 as part of an artificial reef program sponsored by the Keys Association of Dive Operators. The Duane, more frequently dived because of her depth, lies upright with a slight list to starboard at a depth of about 100 ft. The Bibb overturned while sinking and lies on her starboard side; you will begin to reach the ship's exterior at a depth of 95 ft. Both ships are a equally rewarding dive with a fascinating history. With extremely powerful currents you may occasionally have to postpone your dive.
SPIEGEL GROVE Depth Range:  45 to 130 feet Experience Level:  Advanced Location: 25°04.00' 80°18.65'   (6 Miles off Key Largo)	Sunk June 10, 2002, the Spiegel Grove is largest vessel intentionally sunk to make an artificial reef.  The ship was designed to carry cargo and craft for amphibious landings, and was retired by the Navy in 1989.  After more than three years resting on its starboard side, waves from Hurricane Dennis pushed the 510-foot U.S. Navy ship Spiegel Grove into an upright position, before the hurricane brushed the Florida Keys July 9, 2005 leaving no significant lasting damage.

MARATHON DIVE SITES
SOMBRERO REEF Depth Range: 6-25 feet Experience Level: Novice Location: 24?37.50 81?06.50	Marked by Sombrero Light, this beautiful reef features well-defined spurs or fingers of reef building corals separated by wide channels of gleaming white sand. Brilliant colors and diverse marine life make this a most popular dive site along with a eight feet high natural coral bridge known as "The Arch".
DELTA SHOAL Depth Range: 6-25 feet Experience Level: Novice Location: 24?37.78 81?05.49	Another popular dive site eastward of Sombrero Light, features massive coral fingers and broad expanses of sandy bottom that separate the spurs that form this reef. Two interesting wrecks lie in this area - the Delta Shoals Barge behind the east end features typical shallow water soft corals and an abundance of fish life, perfect for snorkeling. The other is the Ivory Coast Wreck, a sunken slave ship lost in 1853, although little is recognizable any more.
MARATHON'S MIDDLE REEFS COFFINS PATCH Depth Range: 10-25 feet Experience Level: Novice	Marathon has a wide variety of prime shallow dive locations throughout their middle reefs. Most are typically no deeper than 25 ft. and all feature an abundance of fish and a variety of coral growth. A stake marks this location by an iron pipe that extends several feet out of the water. Legend has led us to believe it is the remnant of a mariners light structure destroyed in the horrific 1935 Labor Day hurricane.  Beware the stake is totally encrusted with fire coral!
THUNDERBOLT WRECK Depth Range: 75-120 feet Experience Level: Advanced Location: 24?39.48 80?57.90	A 188 ft. research vessel once used for studying lightning and sunk in 1986, rests upright in 120 feet of water. At 85 feet, her bow is dominated by a huge horizontal reel, dropping over the stern of the vessel divers can examine huge twin props. Large hatches off the main deck open into the engine compartments where it is possible to descend into the hull to 110 feet.
ADELAIDE BAKER (The "Duck Key Wreck") Depth Range:  18-29 feet Experience Level:  Novice	The Adelaide Baker was built in 1863 and was 153 feet long with a beam of 35 feet and a hold of 21 feet.  She was a three masted barque.  She wrecked on January 28, 1889 while bound for Savannah with a load of sawn timber.  There was no loss of life.  What is left of the wreck covers over 1400 feet.
PORKFISH Depth Range:  16-27 feet  Experience Level:  Novice	This is a nice ledge reef with one of the mast sections of the Adelaide Baker on the reef edge.  Nurse sharks are frequently seen in addition to the teems of tropical fish.
CRITTER RIDGE Depth Range:  18-31 feet Experience Level:  Novice	A beautiful long coral ledge, easy to navigate with every sea critter you can think of... turtles, eels, angelfish, conchs, skates, overhangs with deep crevices and beautiful varieties of corals, including a small patch of pillar coral. Dolphins may visit underwater as well!
THE GAP Depth Range:  50-80 feet Experience Level:  Intermediate	A drop off reef running east to west.  It slopes from 50 feet north to 80 feet south.  You'll see larger than average angel fish due to the depth.  Occasional strong current.
40-60 REEF (Also known as "Edge of Night") Depth Range:  40-60 feet Experience Level:  Intermediate	A large reef patch with a sloping edge that drops from 40 to 65 feet.
DONUT Depth Range:  8 to 22 feet Experience Level:  Novice	This reef is quite easy to navigate due to it's shape like a donut.  Very popular for night dives. There are many beautiful coral heads.  Plan on taking about 30 to 45 minutes to circumnavigate the reef.  Once complete then go into the center.  The Northwest is the best ledge.
SHRIMPBOAT REEF Depth Range:  35 to 55 feet Experience Level:  Intermediate	Sloping reef with scattered remains of a shrimp boat.  Due to the wreckage, walls of fish varieties and colorful corals with occasional underwater dolphin visits.

Parks and Beaches   
                                            
Everglades National Park
State Road 9336 & Highway 1, Key Largo, 305-242-7700, 305-253-2241.

Located in the Key Largo area, this park includes approximately 1.4 million acres and is at some points 50 miles wide, serves as the protected habitat of flora, fauna, birdlife and fish -- an eco-system that was endangered before the park's creation. Besides programs conducted by Park Rangers, private operators are also available for airboat rides as well as canoe rental and outfitting. Activities include guided sightseeing tours, canoeing, fishing, swimming, camping and hiking on carefully designed nature trails. The park's main concession at Flamingo includes a 127 room resort with a full service marina and restaurant overlooking Florida Bay.

Key Largo

HARRY HARRIS PARK & BEACH
MM92.5, Key Largo, 305-852-7161.
This beachfront park also has excellent facilities for informal family outings and picnics. Sandy beach, picnic areas, bathrooms. Fishing and swimming are the two key attractions here.


JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK
MM 102.5, Key Largo, 305-451-1621.
Established in 1960 as the first underwater state park in the nation, this park features a 120-square mile area of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps as well as a large beach area. The park was established to protect a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. Attractions are a glass-bottom boat tour, beach, visitor center and aquarium, motorboat, sailboat & canoe rentals, snorkeling, diving, dive shop, certified scuba instruction, saltwater fishing, boating and camping. The park is adjacent to the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, a 21 mile long, 8 mile wide protected area with more than 650 varieties of tropical fish and 40 species of coral.

Islamorada

HOLIDAY ISLE RESORT
MM84.5, Islamorada.
Beach and amenities open to the public; watersports, restrooms, marina, and tiki bar.

LIGNUMVITAE KEY STATE BOTANICAL SITE
Islamorada, 305-664-4815.
Accessible by boat only. Boat transportation is available here as well as to Indian Key. Virgin forests cover this protected island that was formed from a living coral reef ages ago. When you step ashore here, you step back into Florida's past -- into an age before man inhabited the keys and began to strip away the vegetation that once covered the entire Keys. A key attraction is the Matheson House, built in 1919. A windmill provides power to the house and fresh water comes from a cistern filled by falling rain on the roof of the home.

LONG KEY STATE RECREATION AREA
MM67.5, Long Key, 305-664-4815.
Among the activities here, where Calusa Indians lived long before Spanish explorers arrived, are picnicking, swimming, fishing and camping. Canoe trails through tidal lagoons. In the evening, Park Rangers present campfire programs. During the day, the Rangers lead guided walks as well as conduct programs on snorkeling, fishing, canoeing and marine ecology. Once the site of the Long Key Fishing Club, a Mecca for he world's greatest saltwater fisherman during the days of the Flagler railroad, the era came to an end when the hurricane of 1935 destroyed the club and the railroad.

INDIAN KEY STATE HISTORIC SITE
Located less than a mile from the ocean shore off Lower Matecumbe, 305-664-4815.
A 12-acre lush with tropical vegetation. The island's former inhabitants included New York seaman John Jacob Housman, who in 1831, established a colony of homes laid out along paved streets with a lavishly landscaped central courtyard in 1840, the island was raided by hostile Indians and most of the buildings were destroyed.

MATECUMBE PUBLIC BEACH (Sea Oats Beach)
MM73.5, Islamorada.
Long stretch of beach suitable for jogging or sunbathing, shallow swimming, no restrooms.

nne's Beach
M72, Islamorada
Beach and Picnic Area that is dog friendly.

ANTATION YACHT HARBOR
MM86, Islamorada.
Beach and amenities open to the public, watersports rentals, full facilities, and restaurant.

SAN PEDRO UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVE
A shipwreck park named after the sunken Spanish ship "San Pedro", the underwater park is located under 18 feet of water approximately 1.25 nautical miles south from Indian Key. In 1773, the San Pedro, sailing under the Spanish flag, wrecked and went to the bottom off the Florida coast. The remains of the 287-ton San Pedro rest on a white sand pocket -- the home of sea creatures living amidst ballast stones and coral heads.

Marathon

LITTLE DUCK KEY BEACH
MM39, Marathon.
This pretty beach is located just after you cross over the Seven Mile Bridge. Picnic shelters and restrooms are available.

SOMBRERO BEACH
MM50, Marathon, 305-292-4560.
Maintained by City of Marathon, this beachfront park also features picnic tables, park, playground, restrooms, covered shelters and a protected cove at the west end for children.