More than 400 divers and snorkelers gathered "under the sea" for an underwater concert in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Staged Saturday at Looe Key Reef about six miles south of Big Pine Key, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival features music specially programmed for the underwater listening experience. The event also encouraged coral reef protection and environmentally-responsible diving.
Songs on the playlist include the theme from the "Little Mermaid," the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" and Jimmy Buffett's "Fins."
Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who in September 2013 became the first person to swim from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage, was among the hundreds of participants. Nyad said singing to herself helped her get through the 111-mile swim.
One of the songs she would sing, "Me and Bobby McGee," was played in Nyad's honor during the festival.
"To be immersed in the sea and feel the music coming from underneath instead of through headphones — it's very magical and distinct," Nyad said. "You couldn't hear it this well if you were in a concert sitting in the front row."
