Sheer walls, shallow beginner sites and a wealth of marine life rank the Bahamas as a budget‑friendly divers’ gem and a perennial favorite.

Once you’ve ticked off the many impressive sites in Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon, you’ll arrive in yet another natural Florida Keys wonderland — the Lower Keys. A stunning swath of the archipelago that curves gently westward on its way to the end of the road in Key West, the Lower Keys is a destination all its own. And there’s tons of fun to discover here, both below the water’s surface and above.

All the elements of an idyllic dive vacation in the Florida Keys come together where the Overseas Highway comes to a dramatic finish in Key West. Here, you’re at the southernmost point of the United States, and worlds away from the mainland when it comes to attitude and stress level — after all, Key West is closer to Cuba than Miami. The United States is at its most Caribbean here, and not just in the pastel-hued bungalows and crystal-clear waters, but in Key West’s casual approach to life as a whole too. The Florida Keys’ dining scene is at its most sophisticated and diverse here. And if you think the diving opportunities dwindle out at the end of the road, you’d be dead wrong. One of the most exciting wrecks of the Florida Keys Wreck Trek awaits divers who descend on the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg. And day-trippers can head offshore from Key West to one of the most fascinating national parks in the United States within the islands of the Dry Tortugas. Read on for more ways to maximize your time diving and simply enjoying all the pleasures of Key West.

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