Our first dive day in the Florida Keys was not all that great. Luckily, we found SeaMonkeys Scuba Diving and Watersports at mile marker 80 in Islamorada for our next three dive days. I cannot say enough wonderful things about how well the SeaMonkeys took care of us when we dove with them. It is a small dive shop run by Bill and Colleen. During our six dives with SeaMonkeys we dove twice at Alligator Reef, twice at Donut Hole, once at Davy Crocker, and once at Davis Reef. Captain Jim and Colleen were very relaxed and patient while we prepared to get in the water. The water was clear with 30 ft to 50 ft visibility. Colleen made sure we went at a comfortable pace and she kept an eye on Boogs. She pointed out tons of interesting fish, shells, sea biscuits, rays, moray eel, conch, barracuda, coral formations, and other things of interest. It felt like diving in an aquarium. It was amazing! We were even fortunate enough to see a dolphin.
The boat was just the right size.
Daddy was ready to leave the dock and dive.
It was neat watching Boogs and Daddy together on the boat.
Our underwater cameras are not the greatest but here are a few pics of our dives. We had so much fun exploring the reefs and seeing the plants and ocean life. It was an amazing experience to share with Boogs. I can't believe we have a ten-year-old diver in our family. He dove like a champ - calm, attentive, curious, and following instructions.
Colleen keeping good watch over Boogs.
Me
Me again.
Boogs preparing to back roll into the water.
Here comes Daddy.
Boogs seeing what he could see.
Daddy taking pictures of a nurse shark.
Boogs holding still long enough for me to get a pic.
Daddy had a light to shine into cracks to see what was hiding there.
Boogs and I had to patiently stand on the bottom and wait for the rest of the group.
Sea Biscuit
The colors of these fish were so much brighter in person.
In person, those blue fish were a bright electric blue. So pretty.
We searched for and found quite a few nurse sharks.
Giant hermit crab.
This sting ray was hiding under the sand until we scared him into action. (He scared me a little bit, too.)
Brain coral. There were many different types of coral.
A couple of dive shops got together and made an arrangement of statues at one of the reefs. Boogs thought it was pretty cool.
Conch shell
We had so much fun exploring the reefs. Each of the six dives lasted approximately an hour. That hour flew by so quickly. Diving together in the Florida Keys was an amazing family adventure. We can't wait to go again!This post is linked to:
Wow, Diving with kids is something I had never even of thought of doing. It looks so much fun. The fish are so colourful. Amazing! #countrykids
ReplyDeleteWhen we went on vacation last year, Boogs and I were able to snorkle above my husband while he was scuba diving. Boogs asked how long it would be before he could be underwater with Daddy. I thought you had to be 14. We looked into it when we returned home and found out you could get a junior certification at 10. Boogs practically counted the days until his 10th birthday. Diving is a great family experience.
DeleteWhat a wonderful experience for you 10 year old. I felt lucky to learn to dive and go through my PADI courses when i was 18 but this is brilliant! I've just been showing my toddler your photos and he loved the hermit crab.
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#CountryKids
It was a lot of fun. I wonder if your little will want to dive with you when he is older. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWell done Boogs!! Such a great experience to have, sounds like he handled himself very well in the water! Great underwater piccys :) #CountryKids xx
ReplyDeleteBoogs is quite the adventurer. Thanks for the kind comment.
DeleteIt's fab that you finally found a dive shop that suited your family, I bet it was a great relief. What an amazing experience for you all, Boogs must've loved his first real diving experience with you and daddy. You got to see so much marine life I can see what you mean about feeling like you were in an aquarium.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on #CountryKids.
It was gorgeous. We are going to have to get an underwater camera with a special filter so you can capture pictures of the true colors.
Deletewhat a marvelous experience for your 10 year old. I love the creatures that you found. Many memories for you! #countrykids
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. There were so many things to see. We had a great time.
DeleteWhat an amazing experience! I am a terrible/nervous swimmer so would never go diving but I am very envious of you all seeing life below the waves. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful experience. I get nervous swimming in murky lake water.
DeleteBoogs is just the coolest Dude ever doing the most coolest things! The area wher eyou dive is just so pretty! Thanks for sharing. This is such an amazing adventure. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteI am amazed with how adventurous Boogs is, he is a great kid.
DeleteWow! Diving with kids. That is really a perfect family activity that maybe all of us has been dreaming of. Boogs is amazing!
ReplyDelete#countrykids
It is an entirely different world under water. Boogs is an awesome adventurer.
DeleteDid you find nemo? Haha, anyways this is something that I am looking forward. I want to experience this kind of diving. Hopefully diving PNG can be the answer.
ReplyDeleteWe found a ton of little Nemo look alikes. Does that count?
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