Palm Beach County is a Diving Paradise

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What is it that makes the Palm Beaches a diver’s paradise? Palm Beach County's coastal waters consist of natural coral formations which are part of the Florida Reef Tract. The “FRT” is the third largest reef tract in the world as well as the continental United States' only living barrier coral reef.

“Palm Beach County reefs have the widest diversity and abundance of marine life with the clearest water, because this is the closest place in North America to the Gulf Stream current in the Atlantic Ocean,” scuba expert Jim Abernethy recently told ‘Discover the Palm Beaches'.

Five of the seven marine turtle species reside in our area, and the beaches represent North America's most popular nesting ground for both loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles. These reefs are also home to the largest collection of goliath grouper in the world as they gather in the warm water in July-August

Looking for a spot for beginners? As one of Florida's most easy-access dive spots, the underwater snorkeling trail at Phil Foster Park is shallow enough to explore without having a boat or equipment. The trail is situated less than mile from the Lake Wo;">rth Inlet, which in turns sits just four nautical miles from the Gulfstream, making it somewhat of a resting spot for weary, fishy travelers on the great Atlantic loop. This creates a dynamic location where two very different marine ecosystems collide.