Knowledge Wanders
Wandering the great places…

Archive for March, 2009

31
Mar

Shipwrecks, Sharks, And Dolphins — Exciting Bahamas Scuba Diving Destinations

Posted in Destinations  by charmen on March 31st, 2009

A favorite of travelers all over the world, Bahamas scuba diving adventures have no equal. With immense coral reefs, stunning turquoise waters, and gorgeous white sand beaches, Bahamas scuba diving packages offer an incredible experience for all ages and skill levels. The crystal clear waters of the Bahamas are too inviting to ignore, not to mention the exciting things you can find underwater.

Seasoned scuba divers and first time divers alike will enjoy the experience of watching and interacting with sea creatures, marine life, and underwater treasures. During a Bahamas scuba diving trip, divers will explore the coral reefs and shipwrecks of the area. Bahamas scuba provides incredible scenery that can only be witnessed when scuba diving. If you have never been on a Bahamas scuba diving trip, you’ve been missing out.

There are Bahamas scuba diving certification packages that can provide you with the instruction you need for certification within a short time. Then you will be out in the ocean experiencing exotic fish and dolphins as they swim around you while you wade weightless in the beautiful waters on your thrilling scuba diving adventure.

Diving In Nassau

Regardless of whether you are interested in a full day dive, a half day dive, or even a nighttime dive, a Bahamas scuba diving trip should include a visit to Nassau. There is so much to see in Nassau, especially underwater. A visit to Stuart’s Cove will provide you with a view of the most gorgeous walls and coral reefs on earth and a trip out to the James Bond shipwreck or to the sunken Cessna from the movie Jaws will give you an underwater exploration to remember.

For an even more exciting experience, explore the coral reefs using a personal bubble sub. These units allow you to breathe normally while you ride on an underwater motorcycle past the sea life, shipwrecks, and coral reefs of Nassau, including one of the most understood sea creatures around — sharks. A shark dive will get you up close and personal as they follow you and then line up for feeding by a shark expert.

Diving In Freeport

The unique marine life in Freeport will make you want to keep coming back again for another Bahamas scuba diving experience. Freeport offers shark dives that give you a close up look of these magnificent creatures. You can explore Theo’s Wreck, a 230 foot underwater shipwreck or wind down with a scuba dive in shallow waters with lightweight equipment. A shallow water dive is great for families as you can explore beautiful corals and schools of vivid tropical fish.

If getting underwater isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy water activities in the Bahamas with a Bahamas dolphin encounter that will take you alongside the coral reefs in the open water where you can pet, feed, and even swim with these remarkable creatures.

Bahamas Scuba Diving

It doesn’t matter where you start a Bahamas scuba dive, you will still be transported to a world of the incredible as you see more coral, tropical fish, conch, dolphins, and sharks than you ever imagined. With a water temperature that rarely ever falls below 72 degrees, there are only warm and cozy waters when Bahamas scuba diving.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the experts in Bahamas scuba diving at Scuba Dive Bahamas. They provide information and locations for Bahama scuba diving and more.

31
Mar

Key West Attractions — The Dry Tortugas And More Places To See

Posted in Destinations  by charmen on March 31st, 2009

Finding things to do in Key West is easy. Finding the time to fit them all in, now that takes some serious skill. Unless you plan to move here for a few years, you simply can’t do everything there is to do on the island. If you don’t have a line on a new job or fabulous apartment in the area, you are going to have to prioritize your activities.

Some Key West attractions are simply too good to pass up. Some Key West attractions are perfect for any vacationer of any age. From visiting the Dry Tortugas to touring the homes of great writers to snapping a picture by a landmark, there is much to do on this little island. This article explores 3 such attractions.

See A Unique National Park At The Dry Tortugas

One thing not to miss when on a trip to Key West is the Dry Tortugas National Park. Because it is located 70 miles west of the coast of Key West, it may be your only chance. The island is home to the military ghost town that is Fort Jefferson. The fort on Dry Tortugas is known as the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. To classify it as anything other than mammoth would be a gross understatement.

At 16 million bricks, the fort takes up a great deal of space on the island of Dry Tortugas. It was once home to a Civil War era prison. However, it was decommissioned shortly thereafter. Now, it sits uninhabited and unused, visited only by those who know of its existence. The Dry Tortugas is truly a sight to see.

From Hemingway’s House To Tennessee’s Townhome

Over the years, a few of the greatest minds in literature have called the island of Key West home. They found inspiration in the setting and wrote the sights, sounds, and their experiences into some of their greatest works. Both Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams called this island home for a few years. Poet Robert Frost also spent a great deal of time in Key West during the winter.

One of the most popular Key West attractions is a tour of the homes of these groundbreaking writers. Tours of the homes where Hemingway wrote The Sun Also Rises and where Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire are popular destinations for families and those in love with art and literature.

The Conch Republic Buoy - The Staple Of Key West

Perhaps the most popular of all Key West attractions is a trip and a picture at the Conch Republic Buoy. Just 90 miles from the island nation of Cuba, the Conch Republic Buoy is the southernmost public point in America’s southernmost city.

The buoy is the outgrowth of a series of signs announcing the point as the southernmost tip of the United States. However, after numerous signs were stolen, the Conch Republic Buoy was installed in their place. Now visitors flock from all over the country to have their picture taken next to this piece of local culture.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the Key West attractions experts at Best on Key West. They provide information on booking trips to the Dry Tortugas.

31
Mar

Dry Tortugas National Park And More — 3 Historical Key West Tours

Posted in Destinations  by charmen on March 31st, 2009

If you want to spend some of your vacation in Key West learning about the island, its history, as well as legends, there are plenty of activities that are right up your alley. Key West is an island that is alive with history, natural beauty, and ghoulish mythology.

Whether you want to spend your day at the Western Hemisphere’s largest masonry structure on Dry Tortugas National Park, a palace of presidential history, or looking for ghosts, there are Key West tours tailor made to fit your needs, wants, and desires. Here are 3 historical Key West tours you do not want to miss.

The Giant Of The Keys: Dry Tortugas National Park

70 miles from the coast of Key West sits an abandoned marvel. The Dry Tortugas National Park houses the massive Fort Jefferson, a military ghost town and masonry superstructure. The fort on Dry Tortugas National Park is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere and has a long history.

During the Civil War, the fort was used as a prison. It held Booth’s co-conspirators in the assassination of Lincoln. The massive 16 million brick structure is now the centerpiece of the Dry Tortugas National Park and open to Key West tours year round.

A Presidential Retreat: The Harry S. Truman Little White House

When the strains of leading the world’s most powerful country became too much, many presidents have sought refuge on the sunny shores of the island of Key West. The former naval base was converted into a presidential retreat when President Harry S. Truman came to the island in need of some to recovery time from stress related health issues.

Since then, presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton have all made their way to the “Winter White House” for meetings, family reunions, or to recover and relax in Key West. Visitors are welcome to take a tour of the building. It is one of the perfect Key West tours for seeing how many of our presidents vacationed. The Harry S. Truman Little White House is open to visitors year round, and those who enter will receive a guided tour.

Get Scared Silly Hunting For Ghosts

While ghost stories don’t fit the most conservative definitions of “historical”, their importance as an oral tradition and use as a means to pass down information throughout generations convinces me to let it slide. Ghost stories are an important part of any town or area’s identity and Key West is no different. From pirates to locals, ghosts to the unexplainable, families and ghost hunters of all ages will have a blast hearing the secrets of Key West recounted.

These Key West tours of ghosts and ghouls are so popular, so well known, and so ingrained into the culture and history of the island, they have been featured on the History Channel, Discovery, the Travel Channel, and the BBC. These Key West tours take place in the Old Town neighborhood of Key West. The neighborhood is the site of much history and activity on the island is known for its relaxed pace and wonderful nightlife.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the Key West experts at Best on Key West. They provide information on Key West tours to exciting places like Dry Tortugas National Park.

31
Mar

Key West Snorkeling — Fun For The Whole Family

Posted in Destinations  by charmen on March 31st, 2009

Things like tours, sightseeing, and fun on the beach are always included in a family vacation to Key West, but there are plenty of other things to do that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Water activities like Key West snorkeling provide a great way to interact as a family in a calm and safe water environment right there in the Keys. To make the most of a family Key West snorkeling adventure, consider the following.

Plan Ahead

Although your kids don’t necessarily need to be Olympic swimmers to snorkel, for peace of mind and comfort in the water, it is best if they can swim on their own. Your kids will have a great Key West snorkeling experience when they feel comfortable in the water. The best Key West snorkeling takes place in the shallow pools of water near the coral reef. When choosing a charter boat, consider whether you’d prefer traveling with just your family or if a party style boat with other families will provide the biggest adventure. It is usually best to select a charter that offers just a snorkeling trip. Boats also carrying scuba divers may select sites that aren’t the most ideal for snorkeling.

Always ask whether or not the charter offers snorkeling instruction. Key West snorkeling is more fun when everyone knows exactly what to do the moment they hit the water so you don’t waste precious time trying to learn the basics.

Most Key West snorkeling companies have the equipment and supplies you need to snorkel. A family snorkeling trip means having a mask and appropriate sized fins for everyone. A good fitting mask is the most important part of a Key West snorkeling experience. Feel free to bring your own mask from home.

Start Snorkeling Before Leaving Home

Enjoying a Key West snorkeling trip can begin before you even leave home. By anticipating your Key West snorkeling trip, you can shop for the ideal equipment before leaving for vacation. In addition to preparing with equipment, check out books from your local library about the fish you’ll see in Key West and learn with your children about the coral reef. This will give your kids an appreciation of the area and its delicate ecosystem before you even arrive for Key West snorkeling. Check out a CD featuring the sounds of the ocean like dolphins, whales, and water sounds your children will experience on your Key West snorkeling adventure.

Enjoying Key West Snorkeling As A Family

A Key West snorkeling trip is an adventure your family will remember. By making some advanced preparations, you can make it even more special. Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera so you can get some great shots for the scrapbook of your family’s Key West snorkeling adventure.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the Key West diving experts at Key West Dive Center. They provide information and locations for Key West snorkeling and more.

31
Mar

Key West Fishing — The Perfect Afternoon

Posted in Destinations  by charmen on March 31st, 2009

Every area has that one thing you need to do while you’re there. Be it a place to visit, an activity, or show to see, every area is known for something and when you’re there, you are expected to experience it. This is no different in Key West. There is so much to do in the city and so much to see on the island, no trip to Key West is complete without a day spent relaxing and enjoying good Key West fishing.

There are many options open to those who want to make the most of their Key West fishing trip. From big boats to small and everything in between, there is much fun to be had on the warm waters of Key West. This article examines 3 different ways to enjoy your angling on the ocean

Make New Friends On A Party Boat

If fishing is less a way of life and more a relaxing activity, then taking a fishing trip on a party boat is the perfect way to meet some new people and catch some fish at the same time. When Key West fishing on a party boat, you will typically be anchored for 3 hours over a reef rich in sea life. This will help you maximize how much you catch and give you ample time and opportunity to make new friends.

If you get bored with the action, there are sun decks galore and a fully stocked galley on most party boats, which allows the casual angler plenty of time to grab a drink and enjoy the scenery. All gear is normally included in the package, but check with the company from whom you charter your trip just in case.

The Personal Touch Of Light Tackle Fishing

If you’re just learning to fish, or want to have some good guidance on your Key West fishing trip, consider chartering a flat bottomed boat. When you rent a flat bottomed boat, it will be just you, your party, and your captain.

Typically, the captains of these vessels have been fishing these waters for years and as such know where all of the good fishing holes are. Don’t be surprised to get not only tips and tricks for making the catch, but also stories of the ones that got away and the biggest fish ever caught. It is the perfect Key West fishing trip for beginners and intermediate anglers.

Troll The Deep Waters For Big Game Fishing

Are you ready to graduate to big game fishing? If you have the skill, there are plenty of captains and crews on the island ready to help you test your mettle. In the deep waters surrounding the island, you’ll find live species of big game ranging from sailfish to shark, marlin to tarpon, dolphin to wahoo, goliath and grouper.

Usually booked as either a full or half day trip, offshore Key West fishing will take you straight to the habitat of some of the largest fish and the experienced captains and their crews will help you track and land the biggest catch.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the Key West fishing experts at Best on Key West. They provide information on lodging and booking day trips and activities in America’s southern most city.