History of Diving Museum

Dive into over 4,000 years of the quest to explore under the sea. We also celebrate the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this story.

Exhibits

Included with admission:
Our Museum exhibits begin with early breath-holding and continue through the evolution of diving machines, helmets, SCUBA and one atmosphere suits for descending into the Abyss.

The Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting artifacts, antiques, books, documents, photographs and oral history relative to the History of Diving. We tell the international story of attempts to explore, understand and venture under the sea. We also celebrate the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story.

On display through the end of the year is Sponge Hunters, which tells the fascinating story of the historic sponge industry. From Bahamian free-divers, to hookboats in Key West, to the Greek divers of Tarpon Springs, come learn all about this bygone trade and the people who worked in it.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.