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Key West’s best diving spots for beginners

This tropical little patch of land, surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is a popular destination for aquatic lovers everywhere. Key West’s tropical climate and water clarity create ideal diving conditions, whether experienced or not. This post is to inform you about great beginner level dive spots I have discovered over the years.

Photo by: Cindy Kirby

Snorkeling is the practice of swimming through a body of water while equipped with flippers, diving mask, and a snorkel. It offers a way to see the various creatures of the sea in their natural habitat without disruption. 

Pictured above circa 2006 is my father, Joe Kirby, teaching me to snorkel in shallow waters off of Key West. My family would always bring our 24-foot fishing boat with us on our trips; but if you don’t have a boat at your disposal do not fret, there are plenty of local snorkeling tours available.

1. Sand Key Light

Photo by: Kendyl Kirby

Sand Key is a popular dive spot six nautical miles southwest of the island. It is marked by a 110 foot navigational light tower, which provides a beautiful view of Key West to anyone who is brave enough to climb it. It is surrounded by coral reef which is home to a variety of aquatic organisms including nurse sharks and loggerhead turtles. 

Photo by: Kendyl Kirby

Madison Kirby, 25, and Rob Perran, 26, can be seen sporting their snorkeling gear above with the Sand Key Light in the back ground. This diving spot is know for its colorful coral reefs and aquatic wildlife

2. Vandenberg Wreck

Photo by: Cindy Kirby

Have you ever wanted to see a sunken ship? And I’m not talking about in the movies. The USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg was a 552 foot transport ship used in World War II that was sunk in 2009 by the United States government government to act as an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

The Vandenberg Wreck is the second largest artificial reef in the world. A vessel that once tracked space launches and monitored Soviet missiles during the Cold War, now lies under 150 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico. This piece of American history at the bottom of the ocean now provides shelter for a range of different aquatic species while offering a great location for beginners to dive.

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Time to eat your best in Key West

This little island has more to offer than its crystal blue waters and entertaining night life, it also has great food. From breakfast to dessert, these unique eateries I have come to know over the years will satisfy anyone’s tastebuds.

1. Blue Heaven

photo credits: www.tripadvisor.com  

Blue Heaven located at 729 Thomas St. Key West, Fla. 33040, is a great place to start any morning; with beautiful outside seating and plenty of roosters and hens to keep you company. 

Blue Heaven is famous for their breakfast, especially the banana pancakes. They also have live music daily during lunch and dinner. But remember that everyone wants their slice of heaven, so be prepared for a possible wait. 

2. Cuban Coffee queen

photo by: www.tripadvisor.com

If your feeling a little more quick and casual for breakfast the Cuban Coffee Queen is the perfect place for you. Located at 284 Margaret St. Key West, Fla. 33040, my family came to know about this place due to its close proximity to the marina where we kept our boat. Their coffee and cuban sandwiches will always provide you with the fuel you need to get you through any long boat day.

3. Sarabeth’s

Photo by: Cindy Kirby

Sarabeth’s is an up-scale chain of restaurants that started in 1981 as a little bakery in New York and has since grown. With select locations all around the world, from Dubai to Tokyo. They are most well known for their Four Flowers Juice and unique menu items. Rob Perran, 26, can be seen enjoying a plate of buttermilk fried chicken, a customer favorite that is only served on Sundays. 

4. Better Than Sex

Photo by: www.tripadvisor.com

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Better Than Sex, located at 926 Simonton St. Key West, Fla. 33040. This gourmet eatery specializing in “just desserts” could make anyones day sweeter. From the dim lighting and candles, to the red velvet chairs and drapes; the romantic atmosphere this restaurant provides would be a great backdrop for any anniversary or celebration. 

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Family activities to enjoy while in Key West

Every time I go to Key West I try to find something new to experience and there is never a lack of options. For people and families unfamiliar with the area I have compiled a list of activities to partake in while visiting the great town of Key West that are appropriate for kids of all ages.

1. Mallory Square

Photo by: Kendyl Kirby

There is no better way to end your day than watching the sunset at Mallory Square, 400 Wall Street Key West, Fla. 33040, watching Key West’s Sunset Celebration. A tradition that has been in place since the 1960′s, this celebration occurs daily starting two hours before sunset with street performers and various venders offering unique products and services. 

Photo by: Cindy Kirby

Mallory Square is a great place to watch performers: juggle fire, eat swords, and walk a tight rope. While against the beautiful backdrop of a Key West sunset as it sinks below the horizon. Vendors also sell handmade art and offer services for various prices, such as henna tattoos and hair cornrowing. The picture above was taken after I made a visit to the cornrowing vendor. 

2. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Photos by: Kendyl Kirby

Fort Zachary Taylor, more commonly known as Fort Taylor, was built in the mid-1800′s and played a vital role in the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. The fort became a National Historic Landmark in 1973 and has been a traveling destination ever since. Guided tours are given daily where you can learn for yourself the rich history the fort holds.

Photos by: Kendyl Kirby

This 52 acre state park does not only gives you a window into America’s history, but it also neighbors the islands most popular beach destination Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. It also features several nature trails where you can bird watch and discover native plant life. 

3. Ernest Hemingway House

Photo by: Kendyl Kirby

Take a step back in time and roam the halls of the famous American novelist Ernest Hemingway. He like many other famous writers and singers found great solace and serenity in Key West’s turquoise waters and decided to stay a while, 10 years to be exact. They offer tours daily with educated guides that can tell you all about the legend of Hemingway.

Photo by: Kendyl Kirby

I hope you like cats and toes, because the Hemingway house has a lot of both. There are approximately 40-50 polydactyl, or six-toed, cats that freely roam the estate. Everyone was glad to hear the cats are alive and well after Hurricane Irma hit Key West September of this year. 

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About the blogger

Hi my name is Kendyl Kirby, I’m a junior at the University of Florida majoring in advertising. I have grown up in Florida my entire life and have always loved the lifestyle that the sunshine state has to offer. I’m most comfortable when I’m fishing on a boat, snorkeling over a reef, or enjoying a fruity drink on the beach.

I was born and raised in Vero Beach, Fla. a little beach town off the southern east coast about five hours north of Key West. And at least once a year my family would make the drive down A1A to this tropical paradise with our fishing boat in tow behind us. For a week of nothing but great food, fun activities and the open ocean.

I have been visiting Key West since before I can remember and it feels like a second home to me. From the chickens freely roaming the streets to the street performers in Mallory Square, it is unlike any place I’ve ever visited. For only having a little over seven square miles of land this place has a lot of character. 

I have learned a lot about this charming town during my frequent visits over the years, and believe that my knowledge could be helpful in guiding newcomers on the in’s-and-out’s of the island. This blog is so I can share my experiences and provide information to anyone who is visiting or is just curious as to what Key West has to offer. 

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Music lovers all over America flock to Suwannee Hulaween

The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Dr. Live Oak, Fla., 32060, was flooded with music lovers last weekend for the annual Suwannee Hulaween music and arts festival. Around 20,000 people traveled from all over the country to campout on the banks of Suwannee river and watch their favorite musical artists perform live.

Suwannee Hulaween, also referred to as “Hula”, is a four-day music and arts camping festival that has been happening annually since 2013. Tickets to this event cost around $250 per person, in addition to a $30 payment to park on the campgrounds. This year Hulaween occurred from Oct. 26 through Oct. 29, always occurring around the same time as Halloween. There seems no better way to kick off the fall season than to be submerged in nature and surrounded by great people and music. 

The Suwannee river transformed last weekend into Spirit Lake, where festival goers could be entranced by inspiring visual art at any hour of the night. Spirit Lake was an artistic experience unlike any other. It also gave campers the perfect place to relax in between some of their favorite musical sets.

Jonathan Bell, 18, from Tallahassee, Fla., and onlookers are given a light show in front of one of the parks five main stages during Bassnectar’s performance on the evening of Oct. 27. Bell referred to Bassnectar as the “king of sound”, and believed it to be the best set of the festival. Light shows, performed by flow artists, could be seen at many different musical sets throughout the weekend. 

Spencer Kane, 20, from Charlotte, NC, shows off her vibrant fairy makeup the afternoon of Oct. 28, while waiting for The String Cheese Incident to come on stage. This is just one example of the festive and creative outfits attendees would wear each day of the festival. The many different costumes that could be found throughout the campgrounds helped put everyone in the Halloween spirit.

An angry wooden monkey statue can be seen on the edge of Spirit Lake giving an eerie and spooky vibe to onlookers. Various artists collaborated to provide artwork like this, that would intrigue and inspire festival goers all weekend long. Attendees described the monkeys expression as “haunting”.

A hologram of a three-eyed woman was projected above Spirit Lake on the evening of Oct. 28, and caught the attention of anyone who walked by. This is yet another example of the amazing visual art that could be seen at Spirit Lake last weekend. 

Spencer Kane, 20, from Charlotte, NC, visited a butterfly sanctuary that was found near Spirit Lake the morning of Oct. 29. This is an example of one of the many interactive activities Hulaween offered. Other activities the festival provided includes various types of yoga and meditation. 

A beautiful sunset could be seen on Oct. 29 the final day of the festival; a perfect ending to a perfect weekend. With the 800 acres of land Suwannee encompasses there was plenty of space for breathtaking art, entertaining workshops, food vendors, and the always classic ferris wheel.