Blue Star Program

Planning to Dive or Fish the Florida Keys?
Look Before You Book!

 

 

Blue Star is a program established by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary recognizing tour operators who are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable diving, snorkeling, and fishing practices to reduce the impact of these activities on ecosystems in the Florida Keys. Blue Star operators take the extra step to educate you to be better environmental stewards and to interact responsibly with natural resources in the Keys.

This education is important because the natural resources of the Florida Keys are stressed by a range of daunting factors, including overuse by uninformed or irresponsible visitors. Luckily, unlike some other causes of coral reef decline, damage to reefs from fishing, diving, and snorkeling can be immediately prevented. Through practicing responsible diving and snorkeling, you can help to lessen local stress on the reef while still partaking of its beauty. You can also help protect the fisheries resources and ecosystems of the Florida Keys by practicing responsible angling etiquette, while still enjoying a great day of fishing.

Book with a Blue Star recognized operator today and learn how to responsibly enjoy the wonders of the Florida Keys ecosystem.

Guy Harvey Welcomes You to the Sanctuary – Safely!

 

Blue Star logo
Blue Star fishing logo
fish florida logo

This program has been funded in part by a grant awarded from Fish Florida's's Grants Program, which is funded by proceeds from the sale of the Fish Florida Speciality License Plate.

Look Before You Book!

When planning a fishing trip within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, book with a Blue Star recognized charter and know you are selecting an operator dedicated to education and responsible fishing practices.

Current Participants

3rd Alarm Fishing - One Love Sportfishing - Islamorada, FL

A Fishing Guide - Islamorada, FL

Compass Rose Charters - Key West, FL

Doghouse Sportfishing Charters - Islamorada, FL

Double Haul Charters - Summerland Key, FL

First Choice Charters - Islamorada, FL

Florida Keys Flats Fishing - Key Largo, FL

Folklure Charters - Key West, FL

Forever Young Charter Company - Islamorada, FL

Keys Boat Tours - Ohio Key, FL

Key West Fly Fishing - Key West, FL

Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters - Ramrod Key, FL

Off the Charts! - Key West, FL

R-U Fishing Yet Charters - Islamorada, FL

Rusty's Bucket Charters - Key West, FL

Silver Tide Charters - Key West, FL

Tails Up Fishing Charters - Key Largo, FL

World Angling - Sugarloaf Key, FL

Yabba Dabba Doo! Charters - Islamorada, FL

Look Before You Book!

When planning a dive or snorkel trip within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, book with a Blue Star recognized charter and know you are selecting an operator dedicated to education and coral reef conservation.

Current Participants

Amoray Dive Center - Key Largo, FL

Captain's Corner Dive Center - Key West, FL

Captain Hook's Dive Key West - Key West, FL

Captain Hook's Looe Key Reef Adventures - Big Pine Key, FL

Captain Hook's Marina and Dive Center - Marathon, FL

Conch Republic Divers - Tavernier, FL

Dive Isla Bella - Marathon, FL

DiveN2Life - Ramrod Key, FL

Finz Dive Center - Key West, FL

Florida Keys Dive Center - Tavernier, FL

Forever Young Charter Company - Islamorada, FL

FURY Water Adventures - Key West, FL

Horizon Divers - Key Largo, FL

Islamorada Dive Center - Islamorada, FL

Island Ventures - Key Largo, FL

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, FL

Key Dives - Islamorada, FL

Keys Boat Tours - Ohio Key, FL

KeyZ Charters - Islamorada, FL

Longtab Charters - Summerland Key, FL

Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center - Ramrod Key, FL

Lost Reef Adventures - Key West, FL

Namasté Eco-Excursions - Key West

Pirates Cove Watersports - Key Largo, FL

Quiescence Diving - Key Largo, FL

Rainbow Reef - Key Largo, FL

RED Hospitality at the Bungalows Key Largo - Key Largo, FL

Sail Fish Scuba - Key Largo, FL

Scuba-Fun - Key Largo, FL

Sea Dwellers Dive Center - Key Largo, FL

Silent World Dive Center - Key Largo, FL

The Dive Shop at Ocean Reef - Key Largo, FL

Tilden's Scuba Center - Marathon, FL

Become Blue Star

Participation in the Blue Star program is completely voluntary, and the program involves no regulatory component.

If you are a dive or snorkel operator in the Florida Keys and are interested in learning more about the Blue Star program, please review the program framework, which includes participation criteria. For more information, please email Bluestar.Diving@noaa.gov.

If you are a fishing guide or captain in the Florida Keys, and are interested in learning more about the Blue Star Fishing Guides Program, please review the program framework, which includes participation criteria. For more information, please email Bluestar.Fishing@noaa.gov.

Blue Star recognized operators will be featured on the Blue Star web site, promoted via various marketing and outreach avenues - including print, television and radio - and receive regular communication from FKNMS, including the latest research and event news.

Would you like to become the newest Blue Star recognized charter? Please fill out our Blue Star Questionnaire to begin the process!

 

For more information about the Blue Star program or the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, email:

Fishing Guides: Bluestar.Fishing@noaa.gov

Dive Operators: Bluestar.Diving@noaa.gov

or contact

Blue Star Coordinator
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
33 East Quay Road
Key West, FL 33040

305-809-4700
305-293-5011 (fax)