History of Diving Museum — Attraction in Islamorada

It's worth the time and money to come here. First off, this is such an eclectic, amazing collection of old diving and freediving gear. If you're a diver at all or interested in the underwater world and how people explore it, this is a must stop anytime you're in the Keys. Even if you're only mildly interested, the museum has so many great stories/quotes from people that it makes it a fun browse to walk through. There's also enough interactive exhibits for non-divers to still become engaged with the exhibits. I loved how informative, and clearly thought out the entire place was. It's very apparent that it's a labor of love.

The gift shop alone is worth a visit. It's the best gift shop of any marine conservation spot in the Keys, I'd wager. They have unique ocean-themed stuff any diver would love.

The staff are the best around. They're so welcoming and friendly, and truly love the museum. They made me want to volunteer (so I signed up!). They're also pet-friendly, so bring your furried ones here if you want!

Finally, they have awesome monthly lectures about everything from corals to shipwrecks to marine sanctuaries. It's free to the public and always a good time.

Pro tip: military discount, discount on website, and also in all the keys...

This place is a hidden gem. We've passed it many times and didn't give it much thought at the time, but since my husband is a diver I thought he might find interest in whatever history might be told here.

We were thoroughly amazed and enlightened as to the collection and the knowledge that the tour guide Julia gave us. She was amazing. This is mostly a self-guided museum, however, once a month they offer guided tours. Do yourself a favor and try to schedule your visit there for one of the tour days. You will not be disappointed. If not, it's still worth a visit.

We learned so many interesting facts and saw so much amazing real artifacts. And you do not have to be into diving to appreciate the museum.

There is also a nice gift shop there too.

I didn't take photos this time because I was so enthralled with just the tour and just being present for what I was seeing. And since there are so many photos already on reviews, I figured there was really no point.

Super friendly, kind and...

A must-see for any scuba diver visiting the Florida Keys! Even from the parking lot, there are already murals to photograph and things to see. The exhibit is the personal collection of a husband and wife team of scuba divers, who decided to share it with the world. There are collectors' items, books, and impressive educational exhibits regarding the history of scuba diving. My favorite part was a documentary about adaptive scuba diving, featuring a man with muscular dystrophy who chose to defy his limitations and try scuba diving! The exhibits are extremely well-done, and presented in a most aesthetically-pleasing way. The Hall of Helmets from all over the world is fascinating, accompanied by captivating narration by the museum owner. Also, the gift shop feels like part of the museum - it's that good! Staff is absolutely lovely. It's a wonderful addition to any holiday in the Florida Keys, and I highly recommend this...