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Dive Fest Set For June 12-16 in Upper Keys

School's out. The water's warm. The sun's shining. Mix in an adventurous crowd of snorkelers and scuba divers, and the result is Island Sun Splash '06 -- four days of in-, on- and underwater fun.

Produced by the recently formed Upper Keys Association of Dive and Snorkel Operators in cooperation with Key Largo Resorts, operators of the Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn and Marina Del Rey hotels in Key Largo, Island Sun Splash '06 is to combine lots of diving and snorkeling with land-based entertainment and educational activities.

Daily dives are scheduled to artificial reefs on the Upper Keys' amazing "shipwreck trail," including the Spiegel Grove, twin Coast Guard cutters Bibb and Duane, Eagle, Benwood and City of Washington.

Twice-a-day snorkel trips to shallow reefs are slated to show off the incredible diversity of life found in the warm, clear waters of the Upper Keys.

In addition, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation is to present its Fish I.D. classes, which have become standing-room-only favorites of divers and snorkelers.

"Try Scuba" sessions are to be held for adults and youngsters (ages 8-12) so they can get their feet wet while breathing underwater. All sessions will be led by professional certified dive instructors and dive masters.

A Scuba Olympics, to be held at the Jacobs Aquatic Center near mile marker 100 in Key Largo, is set for certified divers. The game-oriented competition lets divers test their skills while having fun in a safe, supervised environment.

Emmy-Award-winning videographer Frazier Nivens is set to lead seminars on shooting and editing underwater video.

Renowned underwater photographer Steve Frink is to host a seminar on digital photography, and acclaimed photographer Tom Stack is to host a seminar on capturing the reef by camera.

A special seminar is to be presented by Dr. Joe Bauer of the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum in Islamorada. Dr. Bauer has what many agree is the largest and most extensive collection of historic diving gear in the world. A tour of the museum is planned following the seminar.

Seminars also are set to cover Florida Keys history and the wrecks of the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet.

Nightly poolside entertainment is scheduled as well.

A family-oriented photo scavenger hunt is to be held on land and sea. The hunt is to include scuba, snorkel and land-accessible targets.

Wristbands providing entry to all events cost $20 per adult (age 17 and older) and $10 for youngsters ages 10-16. Children under age 10 are admitted without charge. The wristbands can be purchased at any participating dive or snorkel shop.

Dive and snorkel operators are to offer 10 percent discounts off their regular dive trip fee, and 10 percent off all merchandise in their shops.

Participating hotels are offering special rates to registered Island Sun Splash '06 attendees.

For a list of participating dive shops, lodgings, restaurants and businesses offering discounts, visit www.divecapital.org .

To find out about Key Largo accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (305) 451-4747 or (800) 822-1088.

To find out about Islamorada accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (305) 664-4503 or (800) 322-5397.

More information about lodgings and activities throughout the Keys can be found by visiting the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com .

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