Visit Florida - Worth the Drive 2008 - (Page 72) 72 WWW.AAA.COM/ VISITFLORIDA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you’re thinking about learning to scuba dive, Pennekamp is an ideal place to do it. With a variety of sea conditions – from sheltered water to open-ocean reef – novice divers can learn at their own pace. Rent equipment or bring your own. A series of inshore reefs in water as shallow as 15 feet is optimal for snorkeling, especially with kids. Or you can stay dry and take the glass-bottom boat tour (highly recommended). And nothing beats the down-home cooking of Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (305-451-3722, www.mrsmacskitchen.com), located at mile marker 99.5 bayside, after an active day on the water. Christ of the Abyss, Key Largo Day 3: Key Largo Continue south to Key Largo, which offers some of the best diving in the Florida Keys, and in the country. It’s home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (305-451-1202 www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp), the nation’s first underwater park. It lies at the northern terminus of a 190-mile-long reef system and provides a prime starting point for exploring the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (305-809-4700, www.floridakeys.noaa.gov). Underwater, view Christ of the Abyss, an eight-and-a-half-foot, 4,000-pound bronze sculpture of Jesus standing upright, arms extended, on the ocean floor. Top deepwater dives include The Duane, The Bibb and the Spiegel Grove. IF YOU GO > The Monroe County Tourist Development Council (Florida Keys & Key West), 800-FLA-KEYS, www.fla-keys.com > Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-22-SUNNY, www.sunny.org > Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, 305-539-3000, www.miamiandbeaches.com BRAVING THE CAVES Florida’s limestone substructure is riddled with underground rivers and caves. The best cave diving is in the north central part of the state, but it’s only for the highly trained and experienced. Proper certification is required. http://WWW.AAA.COM/VISITFLORIDA http://www.mrsmacskitchen.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp http://www.fla-keys.com http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov http://www.sunny.org http://www.miamiandbeaches.com
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