Ages 6+ • Half Day Course • Become a Certified SSI Manta and Ray Ecology Diver Today!
Take a half-day, non-diving SSI specialty at Looe Key Reef Resort to learn how to identify, protect, and responsibly interact with rays in the Florida Keys. Perfect for families, snorkelers, and new divers who want a certification and practical conservation skills.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
Half day (3–4 hours)
Fitness Level
Low; suitable for families and people with basic mobility. No heavy exertion required.
Wildlife
History
Looe Key sits inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected area established in 1990 to safeguard reefs, seagrass, and marine species.
Conservation
The course emphasizes reporting sightings, minimizing disturbance, and choosing operators who follow sanctuary regulations to reduce impacts on rays and reef habitat.
Looe Key Reef Resort
Ages 6+ • Half Day Course • Become a Certified SSI Manta and Ray Ecology Diver Today!
Looe Key Reef Resort is a dive and education center located on Ramrod Key, Florida. The resort offers a diverse catalog of SSI courses and non‑diving ecology classes designed for recreational divers, advanced students, and marine enthusiasts. Programs include emergency response training, specialty deep and decompression diving, independent diving certification, search and recovery, equipment techniques, and reef‑focused non‑diving courses such as coral identification, manta and ray ecology, and marine ecology. Instruction typically combines classroom learning, pool sessions, and open‑water dives where required, plus hands‑on scenarios for practical skill practice and risk management.
Several courses award official SSI certifications upon successful completion, including React Right and Deep Diving. Training emphasizes scenario‑based drills, dive computer use, Nitrox and decompression awareness, and safe equipment selection and maintenance. Non‑diving offerings allow visitors to deepen reef knowledge and species identification without entering the water. Located on Ramrod Key with direct access to the Looe Key reef system and nearby dive sites, Looe Key Reef Resort supports both entry‑level students and divers seeking advanced qualifications. By presenting documented SSI course options and combining classroom, pool, and open‑water components, the resort provides verifiable training pathways and practical reef education for divers and marine enthusiasts seeking recognized certifications and a deeper connection to Florida’s coral ecosystems.
Location
Ramrod Key, FL
Situated on the Lower Florida Keys
Tours Offered
10
Diving and non‑diving courses
Certifications
SSI courses
Includes React Right and Deep Diving
Training Format
Practical skills
Classroom, pool, and open‑water
Reserve classroom, pool, or open‑water sessions on Ramrod Key and take the next step in diving skills, safety, and reef knowledge.
Complete online academics first
Finish the required online modules before arrival to get the most from the half-day classroom session.
Bring a notebook and questions
You’ll cover ID and behavior—notes and photos help cement species recognition after class.
Book early in high season
Winter and holiday periods fill quickly; reserve if you want to pair the course with a snorkeling charter.
Report sightings responsibly
Learn the local protocol for submitting ray sightings to support research and conservation.
Notebook and pen
Useful for sketching ID features and recording behavioral notes during class.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Many sessions and follow-up activities may involve time outdoors on docks or boats.
summer
Regional field guide or ID cards
Carryaway resources help reinforce species identification learned in class.
Light jacket or windbreaker
Useful if you pair the course with a morning boat trip when it can be breezy.
winter