Islamorada History of Diving Museum

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Dive in for a family adventure through 4,000 years of the “quest to explore under the sea” and learn about the unique South Florida connection to this untold story. A short drive south of Miami, the History of Diving Museum is located in the heart of the Keys at mile marker 83 in Islamorada. 

Exhibits begin with early breath-hold diving and continues through the development of hard hats used in commercial and military diving. Did you know the Miller-Dunn Diving Company was located on the Miami River? They made divinhoods and helmets that were used around the world by early pioneers in underwater photography, treasure diving, marine biology and by the military!   

Visitors will also see the progression to swim diving and modern day scuba plus diving armor used to descend into the Abyss. Kids can challenge themselves with a fun scavenger hunt through the exhibits, tracking down hidden artifacts and Playmobil divers along with enjoying hands-on interactive displays. For example, experience the thrill of discovery as you lift a real silver treasure bar from a sunken Spanish galleon, see what it is like to sit inside a diving bell or look through a diving helmet into the aquarium as fish go by.  

From now until April 16th, you can also catch Dive Into Art: Fintastic Fish of Florida. This limited-time featured exhibit showcases artwork from the Art Guild of the Purple Isles and pieces created by student artists from across the Florida Keys. Come see the diverse creations, including homemade plush, paper mache, oil and acrylic paintings, sculpture, and so much more, all with a focus on the fish species of the Florida coast, sustainable fishing, and aquaculture programs. 

The History of Diving Museum is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  The Museum is dedicated to the preservation, education and exhibition of the international story relating to “the quest to explore under the seas”, with an emphasis on the contributions of South Florida and The Florida Keys open daily from 10 am – 5 pm.