DIVING DELAYED
The Looe
Key Coral Reef is a protected reef, meaning it is there only for research. Spearfishing,
lobster harvesting or collecting of tropical fish is not allowed. There is no
touching of the coral within this fragile and finite marine sanctuary. Lying about
5 miles south of Big Pine Key, this reef is home to a myriad of fish, from
parrot fish and grunts, to barracudas and butterflyfish, sharks and goliath groupers.
Looe Key is a spur-and-groove reef with fingers of coral extending out to sea. Although the reef, named after the HMS Looe which ran aground and sank in 1744, lies completely underwater, it never really gets that deep, perhaps 25 feet at the most. Home to roughly 150 species of fish it is a great place for the snorkeling and diving.
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| LOOE KEY CORAL REEF |
Years ago my son and I went
snorkeling in this pristine area and Janet and I planned a diving
trip today with the Looe Key Dive Resort, where we had stayed a couple of
nights on our way to Key West. The quiet, serene lower keys seemed appropriate
a place for Looe Key and the allure of coral undamaged by the hordes that
descend on the reefs near Key West or Key Largo quickly convinced us into
signing up for a morning dive.
Alas, it
was not to be. We awoke to thunder and lightning. An afternoon dive was already
scratched because of the strong winds, but the inclement weather forced the
resort to cancel the morning dive. Perhaps on our return we’ll get to dive
before we head to the upper keys.
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