Lower Keys 40th Annual Underwater Music Festival: Making Waves for Reef Protection

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40th Annual Underwater Music Festival

Join us for the 40th anniversary of the world-famous Underwater Music Festival, held at the Marine Sanctuary at Looe Key in Ramrod Key, Florida. This free Underwater Music Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 12 with a $15 per person reception at Looe Key Resort’s Tiki Bar, which includes a presentation discussing the importance of the local reef system.

Explore the Continental United States’ Only Living Coral Barrier Reef

The Lower Keys are home to the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, making this festival a must-visit destination for divers and snorkelers. The reef is home to over 150 species of fish including yellowtail, angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, and moray eel. This reef is teeming with marine life, and you’ll have the chance to explore its vibrant ecosystem while enjoying an unforgettable underwater experience. It’s a very unique and fun opportunity to experience the beauty of the ocean while promoting reef protection.

Promoting Reef Protection at Looe Key

Thousands of years of coral growth have created one of the most popular dive and snorkel sites in the world in the Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) Reef. A classic spur and groove reef system flush with a variety of corals, Looe Key SPA is located approximately 6.3 miles south of Ramrod Key and a little more than 9 miles southwest of Bahia Honda State Park. The reef is named after HMS Loo, which ran aground on the reef and sank in 1744. This year’s event will feature educational programs and activities that highlight the importance of preserving our oceans and their inhabitants. By attending this festival, you’ll be supporting a great cause and learning more about how you can make a positive impact on the environment.

Performances from Beneath the Waves

So how does the festival work? Music is broadcasted by the local radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, and piped underwater via special speakers suspended beneath boats above the reef, which provides a “submerged soundtrack” for participants. And because sound travels faster in water than it does in the air, it has an ethereal and multidirectional aspect that is fascinating to hear. The festival features a unique line-up of talented artists performing from beneath the waves. Swimming among colorful tropical fish and coral formations, divers and snorkelers listened to sea-focused offerings that included the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” the Zac Brown Band’s “Island Song,” and the themes from “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Little Mermaid.” Some of the musician divers play instruments inspired by sea life, for example the ‘bass-oons’ and ‘trombonefish’ at this spectacular music celebration. Imagine being surrounded by the soothing sounds of music coming from underwater, accompanied by the majestic beauty of the ocean. It’s an experience unlike any other!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, July 13th from 10:00AM – 2:00PM

Location: Marine Sanctuary at Looe Key, Ramrod Key, FL 33042

Contact: Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce (305) 872-2411

Activities: Underwater music performances, reef exploration, educational programs, and more!

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to combine your love of music, diving, and nature while supporting an important cause. Save the date and get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 40th Annual Underwater Music Festival!