joekidwell
New member
Might plan a vacation there this spring, is it worth my time?
any reefs worth seeing in the Keys?
- Thread starter joekidwell
- Start date
AquaticFins
Premium Member
Looe Key is certain worth seeing if you're in the lower keys. Some fairly large strands of Acropora palmata and great channels to swim down. You occasionally get to see some large pelagic animals coming through.
The French and Molasses reefs are great spots if you're up near Key Largo.
The French and Molasses reefs are great spots if you're up near Key Largo.
nogascans
Member
Looe Key
Looe Key
I would second Looe Key. Also look at Coffins Patch in middle keys. My family vacations once a year ( wish for more time off!) at a house on Conch Key. Coffins Patch is a short 15 min ride, and if wind is less than 10, a smooth ride there. Plenty of anchorage, and clear view of shore for return. We take our 20 ft by trailer and I have gps locations saved. Looe is a farther drive, and would probably recommend using ramp in lower keys. Just keep in mind there is significant shoaling of channels in lower keys, so getting to the ocean is tougher. Looe is a tongue and groove reef with lots of channels that invite the larger predators like big tarpons, grouper, and chum. I would recommend this for diving and those with experience in snorkeling. Coffins patch would be better for beginners. I have tons of picks if needed, and gps coordinates.
Sincerely,
David
Looe Key
I would second Looe Key. Also look at Coffins Patch in middle keys. My family vacations once a year ( wish for more time off!) at a house on Conch Key. Coffins Patch is a short 15 min ride, and if wind is less than 10, a smooth ride there. Plenty of anchorage, and clear view of shore for return. We take our 20 ft by trailer and I have gps locations saved. Looe is a farther drive, and would probably recommend using ramp in lower keys. Just keep in mind there is significant shoaling of channels in lower keys, so getting to the ocean is tougher. Looe is a tongue and groove reef with lots of channels that invite the larger predators like big tarpons, grouper, and chum. I would recommend this for diving and those with experience in snorkeling. Coffins patch would be better for beginners. I have tons of picks if needed, and gps coordinates.
Sincerely,
David
Cdelgado58
New member
In Key Largo you can go to Molasses Reef, also any where in John Penne camp state park. Great Snorkeling with awesome reef fish and plenty of nice coral to look at.
If you have not dove or snorkeled the keys before then WITHOUT A DOUBT visit Pennycamp State Park in Key Largo. If you ahve a boat you can launch there and just go where the charter boats are. If you dont have a boat take any of the charters in the Park.
The reefs formations are spectacular, some of the best in the Keys! there are lots of differant areas offering lots of different experiances from shallow to a little deeper, fields of sea fans to dramatic ledges and and reef islands int the sand.
i am a pretty experianced diver and thought myself "above" diving where the tourists go. I missed out on some beautiful stuff for being ignorant. So glad i saw it and I will go again.
I have dove much of the Keys and there are some spectacular things to see but as far as concentrated coolness, Pennycamp offers it!
The reefs formations are spectacular, some of the best in the Keys! there are lots of differant areas offering lots of different experiances from shallow to a little deeper, fields of sea fans to dramatic ledges and and reef islands int the sand.
i am a pretty experianced diver and thought myself "above" diving where the tourists go. I missed out on some beautiful stuff for being ignorant. So glad i saw it and I will go again.
I have dove much of the Keys and there are some spectacular things to see but as far as concentrated coolness, Pennycamp offers it!
aquavista99
New member
Looe Key is my favorite. Key Largo and Marathon are nice too. Check out all my Florida Key reef pictures here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2044393
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2044393
