Underwater Music Festival 2024 in Florida

Have you ever thought of attending an underwater party? If yes, your eccentric dream has come true at the Florida Keys' Underwater Music Festival. This quirky celebration is held annually on the weekend after July 4th at the Looe Key Reef, which is a part of the world's third largest and North America's only living coral reef. Bill Becker founded the festival for public entertainment as well as to raise awareness for coral reef preservation and environmental protection.

Concert Under the Sea

The main highlight of the festival is, of course, snorkeling to experience music underwater. The music program consists of pre-selected radio playlists. Ocean-themed songs are streamed through waterproof speakers hung from boats floating above the reef. The Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival is the only place on the planet where you have a chance to rock to the soundtrack from "The Little Mermaid," Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” and the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden.”

You'll also have a chance to witness musician-divers with mermaids playing surreal instruments such as “trom-bonefish,” “sea-phan flute,” and a “Fluke-a-Lele”? These are the creations of a local artist, August Powers. In the water, the sound travels 4,3 times faster than in the air, which only makes the experience more unique. Several hundreds of divers and snorkelers come to enjoy such an ethereal experience where you can listen to music vibes not just with your ears but your entire body.

Other Attractions

Besides the electrifying underwater bash, there's plenty of activities above the sea level. On July 12th, The Mote Marine International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration organizes a fascinating tour of their facilities, the visitors of which get a unique opportunity to witness coral reef protection efforts. After that, you can groove to live music from local artists and taste delicious treats from the area's vendors at a festival pre-party. Local dive shops offer special deals on their services and host their own costume parties.

Schedule

The pre-party spans from 6 to 8 pm on July 12th, while the concert underwater takes place on the second day of the festival from 10 am to 2 pm. Local businesses will also be open throughout the day, so you'll have a chance to experience island culture to the fullest.

Location at the Lower Keys

The diving and snorkeling take place at the Looe Key Reef within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and 6 miles (10 km) south of Big Pine Island. Some activities, such as the tour at Mote Marine, unfold on the Summerland Key Island.

History

First held in 1985, the festival was organized by Bill Becker, a Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce founder and owner of a local radio station, as a one-off event meant to entertain the public and add color to the diving experience. However, another significant underlying goal was to raise awareness of the importance of coral reef preservation. The event gained its followers and continues to make a significant contribution to the coral reef industry.