Recommendation for snorkeling the Keys

[mppanp]

I live about 3 hrs from Key Largo and have been down three times now in 1 year, but I have family coming from Iowa this week and father in law really wants to snorkel. Im trying to make it the best trip possible even if its paying a for a boat trip. Anyone have great recommendation? Thanks Mike

 

[billdogg]

Pay for the boat trip - they will take you to (for the keys) a nice shallow reef. IME, snorkling from shore is pretty much a waste of time. You don't need to go any further than Key Largo - there are about a bazillion charters available to take you out to Pennecamp - Molasses and French reefs are both nice.

 

[mppanp]

Sounds cool. I have been reading a lot about Looe Key. Anyone been?

 

[jdhuyvetter]

Looe has great finger formations. Good for snorkeling and diving. I also like Sombrero. If you go to Sombrero, tie off to the southernmost anchor buoy. there will be a huge brain coral and elkhorn directly under your boat!

 

[mppanp]

A few pics. At Looe Key

 

[mppanp]

 

[mppanp]

and one from Harry Harris

 

[Nemo8710]

Awesome man. Thanks for sharing. Don't let that shark get you.

 

[macraider]

We might be going at Thanksgiving to the Keys. I was just about to post the same question.

Nice photos.

 

[LivingonLine]

I like Looe Key but Love Sombrero Reef. We have spent a week in Marathon for the last 3summers. Each year when deciding where to stay I have to decide if I want to snorkel Sombrero for 5 days and Looe one day or the other way around. I always choose Sombrero. The first year a school of Tarpin swam beneath us that was so cool!!! I have only seen sharks at Looe Key though.

 

[keydiver]

I'd recommend The happy cat charter that goes out to Alligator lighthouse and other places. Molasses reef is also awesome. I've been diving down here for over 4 years, there's TONS of great spots, though most of the boulder reefs are a bit deeper, like 40-60 ft.