Posts Tagged ‘Coral Reefs’

Best Of The Florida Keys – A Treasure Filled Island

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

The Florida Keys – a tropical paradise along with enormous riches, gold plus eternal youth that has come to be known as a popular destination intended for Florida visitors seeking treasures. The Keys were a popular location for explorers and their sinkable ships through the 16th century that carried amazing riches. But, those that found vast riches onshore, still had very little clue to the unknown riches that lie beneath the ocean – corals in addition to reefs. They were destined to leave it all behind, hidden under the ocean floor. It was after a lot of centuries did this perilous coral and reefs surfaced and direct countless tourists to come on treasure hunting visits and spend their vacation on the islands.

Among the famed locations within the Keys is Mel Fisher’s Museum. It possesses a variety of treasures discovered and is additionally home to the ‘Golden Crew’ who exposed the finding of the wrecks of 16th century ships ‘Atocha’ and ‘Santa Margarita’. If you choose to, you too can dive in using the same crew and discover the Atocha and discover hidden treasures; and if you’re fortunate you might just come across a million dollar treasure to take home!

If you decide to take the trip down the ocean to experience Atocha Dive Adventure provided by the Mel Fisher Museum, then you have to spend a whole week in Key West to have a wide-ranging appreciation and develop competencies of treasure hunting. During the week you can learn methods of shipwreck conservation, the history of the ships and what doomed them to end up at the bottom of the ocean. The week is well worth it because you are allowed to keep approximately $2,500 in genuine shipwreck treasure that you may attain during the discovery of the wreck. Based on your amount of experience, there are lots diving and scuba charters available while in the Keys.

Atocha’s end was due to an enormous hurricane that attacked the vessel and other twenty eight sister ships, who were sent swirling down to the bottom of the ocean. The ships were recorded to have left Havana for Spain that carried surplus of gold, silver and jewelry to fund an empire in the year of 1622. The Spaniards searched high and low beneath the sea in search of Atocha as well as Santa Margarita for over sixty years because of it’s millions of dollars worth of treasure. On the other hand, it was only many years later did a man named Mel Fisher who discovered a part of Atocha. Up to date, the wreck continues to be lying patiently in waiting for somebody with talented ability and plenty of luck to discover the multi-million dollars.

The Spanish Armada in 1733 was furthermore an additional legendary series of shipwrecks recorded. Nevertheless this time, the Spaniards were propitious to recuperate virtually all of the lost treasure, while some continue to be left behind to be found.

The Florida Keys is full of treasures waiting on you to be the next to find them. Travel to the islands and uncover your own personal treasure, and enjoy the Florida Keys at its best. At the same time as you’re in the region of the Florida Keys, take into account that there certainly are countless alternatives for lodging accommodations, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts as well as Bluegreen resorts.

Cedric Fairchild is an adventure and entertainment writer with an emphasis in Bluegreen resorts and Bluegreen holidays at outstanding destinations across the planet. You can contact with the Bluegreen corporation for facts concerning the best travel accommodations in the universe at www.bluegreenonline.com.

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Snorkeling And Fort Jefferson Show That The Islands OF Dry Tortugas Are Not Thirsty Of Attractions

Friday, November 5th, 2010

The Dry Tortugas are found seventy miles west of Key West that consists of tiny but stunning islands enriched with heritage. Tourists from drift in from across the world to explore these spectacular islands which were discovered by a man named Ponce de Leon in 1513. The principle attraction to be seen is Fort Jefferson as well as snorkeling of course. Fort Jefferson is the bearer of the history of the islands through illustrations and the crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico are full with coral reefs, different fish as well as luminous sands for those who fancy snorkeling.

The name Tortugas was derived from the turtles that inhibits the islands, the word ‘Dry’ was used to warn sailors of the limited fresh water onshore. Despite this, in 1846 a military based was built by the United States government, which further dramatized the events that occur at Fort Jefferson. The assassination of President Lincoln is specifically associated with the Fort; in which case, a guided tour is definitely advised.

If you’re visiting The Tortugas because of its unparalleled snorkeling opportunities, you will not be disappointed. The sea of the islands hold the prettiest waster and Concierge Mike Kelly of the Hammocks resort comments “You snorkel off the beach and it’s like swimming in an aquarium.” Keys vacation would not be complete without a little dip in the waters.

Dry Tortugas’ coral reefs are some of the most renowned in the United States with over a hundred of different fish calling it their home. Snorkelers will run into multitude of marine life including coral, rays and eels. The depth of the water is between 5 to 15 meters with animals such as starfish and seashells are treasures found under the white sanded bottom of the sea.

Like all other coral reefs, the island’s coral reef has a strict rule of ‘look but don’t touch’ policy. This is so as not to damage the algae that lives on the coral which is easily damaged considering the polyps fragility and susceptibility to disease. Kelly explains that Tortugas are a natural and a fragile region that are heavily monitored. However, the delicate environment is magnificent and worth visiting.

A thrilling day, which comes to a halt only when the boat arrives back to Key West at 5:30 p.m. This is in time for you to catch the famous sunset at Mallory Square. It’s the real ‘Margaritaville’ in countless ways.” Be ready for some wonderful memories with outstanding snorkeling, discovering vibrant coral reefs. When you are in the area of Dry Tortugas, bear in mind that there definitely countless choices for lodging accommodations, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts or even beautiful resorts, accessible from the Bluegreen vacation club.

Cedric Fairchild is a travel and vacation author focusing in Bluegreen resorts and Bluegreen vacation club options at amazing locations throughout the world. You can connect with Bluegreen directly for data concerning the top travel acommodations in the world at www.bluegreenonline.com.

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Must Know Information You’re Looking For Related To Diving And Snorkeling Around The Maldives

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

The Maldives is an small island nation comprised of more than a 1,100 little coral islands strewn across the Indian Ocean. It’s a snorkeling and scuba diving nirvana and one that is popular all year round primarily due to its temperate local climate. The Maldives averages thirty degrees Celsius all year long or 86 degrees F.

Simply put, the Maldives provide you with an ideal snorkeling and scuba diving spot teeming with exotic schools of fish of countless species. Just to name just a few, there are black and white snappers, humpback snappers, barracuda, unicornfish, yellowback fusiliers,and trevally jacks.

Snorkeling and scuba diving in the Maldives is unequalled throughout the world. The large range and quantity of fish that exist here is awe inspiring. Scuba divers and snorkelers will not ever be bored, not for a single second, nor will anyone ever experience the exact dive experience twice! There are way too many things to check out on any one dive; you really need to think about going on a number of dives to acquire an appreciation for the awe inspiring life residing in these waters.

Seasoned snorkelers and scuba divers advocate planning a trip to the Maldives while water visibility is at its optimum point; between January and March. Other times of the year, water visibility might be murky. Dive beginners hire boats in Male, the capital city. On the other hand, seasoned divers preferring exotic locations can rent boats to take them to the outer reaches where its less populated.

Your hotel’s concierge can certainly make recommendations on a good scuba diving or snorkeling spot. You will have limited use of only only a few locations near to your hotel. In case you are a scuba diving fanatic, then think about arranging a liveaboard. A liveaboard is a dive boat developed for folks who love scuba diving and wish to live on a boat for a time as it travels to various sites tailored for diving and/ or snorkeling.

Liveaboards may gain access to remote locations that few people ever discover. As an example Baa Atoll that is an incredible dive and snorkeling location. Encompassing Baa Atoll are deserted islands with not a living soul for miles. This really is without a doubt true paradise where by amazing diving can be accomplished.

Some other less traveled destinations consist of Ari and Felidhu Atolls. You’ll find sharks and manta rays dwelling side-by-side. Keep in mind, most remote scuba diving locations require intermediate to advanced experience and they are reserved for the person searching for the greatest adventure!

Ari Atoll is an atoll measuring over 80 kilometers in length making it one of the biggest atolls within the Maldives. Ari Atoll is recognized for its developed destination for tourists area, however it features amazing diving and snorkeling spots that shouldn’t be overlooked. Northern Ari Atoll is home base to the whale shark that can only be viewed while diving.

Described here are just a handful of spots it is possible to scuba dive or snorkel while going to the Maldives. Scuba diving and snorkeling in the Maldives ranks as a once in a lifetime adventure. Nevertheless, you’ll want to comeback repeatedly. If you think you’re an experienced snorkeler, then try out scuba Maldives style the next time! Once you’ve scuba dived in the Maldives, you’ll never want do it elsewhere, I promise.

Planning a holiday getaway to the Maldives and want more advice about Maldives snorkeling or scuba Maldives style? Visit the web site www.maldivesvacations.info/maldives-diving.php

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What We Can Do To Minimise Further Damage Of The Coral Reefs.

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Coral reefs are often considered as rocks, stones or plants on the bottom of the sea, but Coral is actually composed of calcareous skeletons of small animals called coral polyps, when a coral dies, it leaves its skeleton coral limestone behind young corals then themselves attach to the old skeleton and the cycle begins again. Coral reefs are generally found in tropical shallow waters near the equator, the shallow water is ideal for corals to survive as they need to sunlight.

Today, coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate, it is estimated that 25% of reefs have disappeared from our seas, and studies have shown that 88% of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, known as the richest the world are at risk too. There are several reasons for the deterioration of coral reefs by pollution, disease, overfishing, dynamite fishing, sedimentation and bleaching.

The pollution causes damage to coral reefs due to toxins and heavy metals. The pollution gets into the oceans in many different ways, such as oil spills, waste, acid rain, pollution and exhaust from boats and jet skis for example. When the gases and toxins are entered through the polyps, the coral polyps die, resulting in no further new growth of coral polyps, therefore the coral eventually get wiped out in the area.

The disease can also affect coral, diseases occur due to biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic stresses, including fungi, bacteria and other viruses, abiotic stresses occur in the physical and chemical changes occur, such as differences in temperature and ultraviolet radiation from the surface. These diseases weaken the structure of corals and make them more vulnerable to colonization.

Overfishing and dynamite fishing is also a major problem for the survival of corals, overfishing destroying their sustainability, and dynamite or cyanide fishing destroys coral and flattens their structure, unwary fishermen also use sticks to scare the fish into a net, they do this by hitting the seabed and corals with great force that seriously damages corals.

Sedimentation can affect the coral if the state of the sediments changes significantly, because if the amount of sediment in the water prevents the right amount of light reaching the coral, it kills the algae and eventually the reef. The coral bleaching is a stress response is usually induced by the temperature of the sea, if the temperature drops too much or increase, the conditions are not ideal for corals, therefore coral bleaching and damage occurs.

We can do some things to address these problems, some suggestions are to conserve water, reduce your carbon emissions by walking instead of driving for example, elimination of waste correctly, responsible diving while on a diving boat, try not to touch the coral diving, or do not anchor where corals are present. You can also volunteer for coral clean-up operations or other maritime projects in the world, aiming to save coral reefs.

For more information on the marine conservation being done at Phi Phi Dive Camp Thailand then check out their website. As well as offering diving facilities they are also heavily involved in protecting the environment around the Phi Phi Islands.

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