Snorkeling The Florida Keys Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
“A thinking person’s guide to exploring the rich maritime history and vital ecology of south Florida’s reef system, laden with fascinating historical nuggets and practical tips for novice and experienced snorkelers.”—Susan Cocking, Miami HeraldFrom Carysfort Reef to Indian Key to Dry Tortugas National Park, the Florida Keys provide many excellent and diverse snorkeling opportunities among brilliant corals teeming with remarkable sea life and sunken ships from long ago. Snorkeling the Florida Keys dives into more than forty unforgettable sites, including reefs, wrecks, and beaches.The third largest barrier reef system in the world runs along the east side of the Florida Keys and is fed by the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf Stream, which support the abundant growth of bright-hued corals. These warm waters are also home to spectacular animal life. From seahorses to manatees, nature’s most intriguing wonders can be found right around an outcropping of coral or grazing in algae.While today these reefs are a playground for snorkelers, fishermen, and divers, these same waters were once feared by leery sailors. The corals lurking just beneath the surface were ship wreckers, stony daggers capable of carving up a wooden hull. Today those sunken ships provide stunning backdrops for snorkeling exploits.Brad Bertelli takes the guesswork out of navigating and exploring the Florida Reef. He provides practical travel advice and GPS coordinates to easily access each site, as well as useful information such as water depth, marine environment, notable shipwrecks, and engrossing historical facts. Snorkeling the Florida Keys is more than a valuable guide for divers seeking adventure. It is also a great read for armchair travelers, who, without setting a fin in the water, can enjoy the conquests and mishaps of the historical figures who sailed the great Florida Reef. Brad Bertelli, afreelance writer living in the Florida Keys, is the author of Snorkeling Florida: 50 Excellent Sites.
Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: University Press of Florida (April 2, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0813044529
ISBN-13: 978-0813044521
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #167,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #13 in Books > Travel > United States > Florida > Keys #19 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Scuba Diving #53 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Scuba
This book is more than your typical guidebook, "go here, go there." It contains a lot of obviously well researched history about the wrecks that you can explore off the Florida Keys. All kinds of ships have gone down on these reefs, from galleons to naval ships, which makes for amazing dive sites, as Mr. Bertelli describes in very good detail. His style is enjoyable and the history, far from being dry or boring, feels very entertaining! I can't wait to go explore more of the Florida Keys and its underwater treasures. I also liked the photographs, both black and white and color. They add a lot, and give you a good idea of what you can see snorkeling. It's refreshing to see a book geared towards snorkelers like me. I've never gotten the hang of Scuba, so I'm glad to know a lot of places I can snorkel. (But maybe scuba divers could get some use from this book, too.) I was considering buying this book and saw a review on a blogger website, saying the book had no pictures! Um, that's wrong. There are plenty of pictures. Maybe that reviewer didn't really read the ACTUAL book, just a preview or something. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't pay attention to that review and got a copy and judged this guidebook for myself. I can see people taking the book on vacation, and reading a chapter on the beach with a nice cocktail, then the next day heading out on a snorkel charter and seeing for themselves. It's kind of a 2-in-1, guidebook-plus-history. Best for: People who think knowing the history of a place makes it that much more fascinating! I had no idea there were so many characters and adventure tales out of the Keys. I've always loved the Florida Keys, and this book just made me want to return even more. The writer really knows what he's talking about. Awesome!!
My family & I just got back from Key Largo, where I picked up a copy of this at Shell World. (Sorry, , I love you, too.) I'm really digging the way the writer describes the reefs and the wrecks and then tells some of the wild, unbelievable history behind these wrecks. I have been out on snorkel boats out of Key Largo but I NEVER heard half the stuff this guy describes. Plus, there are a lot more places to snorkel in the Lower and Upper Keys than I realized. In fact, I hardly knew anything about the history of the Upper Keys -- I didn't know there was much history to speak of. After I finish with the book, my wife's going to start it, because I have been blabbing about how good it is. Next, I'm going to plan a new trip down to the Keys in June (not now, we're too wimpy to snorkel in March). All in all, I have to give this one an A+ because I'm learning a lot about one of the most beautiful spots in the world, and having a good time doing it. If you are a fan of the Keys -- like my family -- this is a must own.
As noted in other reviews, this guidebook goes well above and beyond the general expectations and scope of similar works. And it does so with a flair, range, and expertise that will delight and intrigue readers even if they don't snorkel. It is immaculately precise and helpful on location dynamics, and what to expect once you get there. The photographs and sketches are wonderfully selected and delivered. Mr. Bertelli's background yarns and histories behind and below the sites are delightful and accurately researched, and the writing itself is sharp and focused, professional and friendly, almost as if you are having a conversation with your expert guide in the confines of a chatty Keys watering hole, where the food is fresh and delicious, and the rum is even better. But above all, Snorkeling the Florida Keys is a classic in its field, or rather its clear, warm waters.
Thought this would just be a guide for finding good spots to snorkel, but it's much more! It's full of history of the Florida Keys and the local snorkeling areas. Very interesting and informative. Great pictures and illustrations. I got much more for my money than I expected. A great resource. We've already tried out a couple of snorkeling spots.
Lots of information. A lot of history, like others have said, and it's nice to have the GPS coordinates. Most of the pics are black & white, with some beautiful color pics in the middle of the book. I gave it 3 stars due to a glaring oversight - there's no map to give you an idea of where these snorkeling sites are.
Interesting an full of great information concerning the best places to snorkel in the Florida Keys. A must for anyone interested in the reefs.
Looks like old content that was somewhat updated. We returnedit.
niece enjoyed it very much, Christmas gift. trip to keys planned for summer 2015. not a picture book, but, delivers a lot of history and information.
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