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Go Ahead, Skip South Beach

The OC isn't the only place to go urban SCUBA diving. If you're jetting down to Miami to try overrated restaurants, build in some time to scoot south to Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Best known as the country's first underwater park, it also has easy diving and snorkeling trips.

Most dives are in the 30-45 feet range, so there's plenty of time to poke around the reefs. (Shallower dives mean more bottom time.) The mandatory dive/snorkel site is Key Largo Dry Rocks, where a Rio-style Christ statue swims with the fishes. More advanced divers will want to check out two sunken Coast Guard cutters complete with swim-throughs. There are plenty of independent dive shops in Key Largo who can take you out, or stick with the park concessionaire.

[Photo: pdxjeff/a.phasia]

Related Stories:
· John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park [Official Site]
· In-park diving [Official Site]