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Aquarius Underwater Ocean Laboratory
 Islamorda, FL
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Max Depth: 51-60ft/16-18m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.00 by 4 divers
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Aquarius Underwater Ocean Laboratory is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Islamorda, FL. This dive site has an average rating of 4.00 out of 5 from 4 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m.
The Aquarius underwater ocean laboratory is located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary three and a half miles off-shore in
Conch Reef. The laboratory is currently in 60 feet of water but is built to withstand depths of up to 120 feet. The actually laboratory is home to scientists who live during ten-day mission. Inside the laboratory are bunks, a shower, a toilet, hot water, a trash compactor, a microwave, air conditioning, computers linked back to shore base and even a refrigerator.
Aquarius is owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and administered by the National Undersea Research Program (NURP). Aquarius has supported in excess of 67 missions since 1992. Divers practice saturation diving, a form of diving which allows for extended periods of time underwater in which they can work and research. Aquarius divers have done research on the effects of ultra violet radiation on coral reefs and work with different forms of pollution in the water. Currently, NASA space simulation missions are occurring in the research laboratory.
It is not permitted to dive this site while the facility is in use for research projects.