The Florida Keys is a diving paradise that isn’t too far from the Tampa Bay area. Not only are The Keys fabulous for diving, they are a great, inexpensive winter getaway with lots of variety. Surprising affordable! The Caribbean blue waters of the most southerly mainland United States offers 120 feet visibility and scuba divers from around the world come down to the Florida Keys underwater paradise to experience the colorful life within the coral reef. There are more than 600 species of fish and the sea creatures and plants never stop moving so the landscape is constantly changing. Elkhorn coral, brain coral, and sea fans are just a few of the plant life that draws the exotic underwater animal life. 

Along with reef diving, there is an array of historical wrecks that await scuba divers (and photographers, artists, writers, fishermen, and vacationers) of all levels. Civil War wrecks and Spanish galleons are amongst all the underwater history. Artificial reefs have been created by people who want to protect the natural reef and give it some R&R from all the divers and diving.

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Surf shots are usually taken in bright sunny weather yet there are times that surfing (and surf photography) can even be more fun like before a storm when you’re too busy having a blast to seriously notice what was heading your way. Just across the way of Tampa Bay is your east coast surf scene… Cocoa Beach… and in the heart of it all is Ron Jon Surf School. Craig Carroll, owner and surf instructor for over fifteen years and his crew, gave me the hang ten experience of a lifetime with many smiles, much excitement, and loads of safety lessons. Riding those waves just isn’t for sunny weather and upcoming storms aren’t always to be feared.

Lessons that day were held inside as the school is right across the beach and not too far from the well-loved Ron Jon Surf Shop. The instructor had traveled and hit the waves all over the globe and demonstrated what to do and had the class practice on the boad in the room. Everything any surfer of any level could possibly need is provided by Ron Jon Surf Shop. 

After the instructor knew that the members of the class were ready, he lead us outdoors…

Continue the surfing lesson…

Stay cool in surf wear and gear while your hanging ten:

Reeling in the big one Tampa Bay

Tampa bay and its local Gulf of Mexico areas provide some of the best fishing you’ll ever find. A large variety of fish species live in this top USA vacation destination. On the flats, you can fish for snook, trout, and red fish. Grouper (this area is known for the most delicious grouper sandwiches!), amberjack, and snapper can be caught offshore. Large Florida grouper can be found near obstructions such as large rocks, wrecks, and reefs. They can be caught as far as 60 miles offshore. Many other varieties of fish can make your game fishing or dinner catch quite an experience.

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Catch these great buys before you go out and catch the big one!