snorkel spot

[macawmagic]

I'm looking to go snorkeling this weekend. Would consider driving down to the keys, but nothing more than a 2-3 hour drive. It'll be me and my dad. Anyone know of any good spots for us to go to. Lookin to pick up some snails and maybe a fish or 2 if we could catch them. We both have our fishing and diving licenses, but just want to snorkel. Just a spot we could park, walk down the beach, and swim out a little bit. Please let me know the good spots!!!

 

[Jon770]

I was going to post the same exact question.

I looked through some of the old posts (going back 3+ months), and can't really find any SOLID information. People keep saying that they went snorkeling/collecting down in the keys, but not much more. I think someone said they went "15 miles before the 7-mile bridge" or "near mile marker 75" but those are pretty vague descriptions....

If you have some nice spots to snorkle and/or collect, can you please post where (with enough detail that someone not familiar with the are can locate it), what you collected, etc.

Obviously, to collect you must have a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license, and be familiar with the recreational harvesting regulations...

 

[macawmagic]

we'll looks like were going to Islemerata (spell check) down in the keys. If anyone knows any good spots around there it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[illal]

datura blvd off commercial and A1A is my fav

 

[macawmagic]

can u just swim out, or do you need a boat?

 

[whaler1582]

its right off of the beach. just swim out a ways, with a dive flag, until you start seeing some life. its about the end of the pier, but south. i would suggest if you are a strong enough swimmer, go out a little farther, there are a lot more fish farther out if you can catch them.
Josh

 

[FleeVT]

If you are heading down to Islamorada, go to "Hens and Chickens". Probably the best reef for snorkelling in Islamorada. You'll need a boat to get out there, either rent one for the day or go out on one of the dive/snorkel boats.

 

[szhttm]

Just a suggestion, but try to find yourself a copy of Ned Deloach's "Diving Guide To Underwater Florida". Great Book!!!!

Lots of beach dives listed too.

Give you step by step directions on how to get to the sites and even tells you were to snorkel and dive.

Be careful with diving in the Sanctuaries!! Most of the snorkeling/diving spots in the Keys are within the Sanctuary. Even though you have your license, it is still illegal to collect or fish in these areas!! Officals will fine you quite heavily if you get caught.

Thank You And Have Fun!!!;
:thumbsup:

 

[Von_Rahvin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9922770#post9922770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szhttm
Just a suggestion, but try to find yourself a copy of Ned Deloach's "Diving Guide To Underwater Florida". Great Book!!!!

the best advise you will ever get. 100's of dives all over the state. very good book

 

[Ryanqk]

I got a "Guide to beach diving and snorkeling sites from hollywood to jupiter" that some local dive shop prepared and printed. Its got hand written diagrams of tons of sites within simming distance and decriptions of depth and distance and what to look for, only problem is it was published in 1999. But i Agree the snorkeling off commercial and datura (south of the pier) is excellent, dont be afraid to swim out past the pier thats when it gets REALLY good and its not too tiring if its calm. lots to see there in less than 20ft of water

 

[macawmagic]

well we just got back. Brought home some hermit crabs and snails. saw 2 or 3 sally lightfoots, a sting ray, lots of sgt. major damsels, and plenty of fish that we couldn't catch. Also saw a huge cucomber. It was like 18 inches long and about 4 inches Diameter. At one point we had either an angel or a damsel in the net, couldn't really get a good look at it, but on the swim over to the bucket he somehow got out. We went to islamarade, right before the 2nd inlet. there was a big sign before the bridge. supposedely on the ocean side if u swim out a little there was a bunch of corals and such, but my dad and I started swimming out and there was poor visability, couldn't see the bottom, guy fishing right in the area said he caught a shark earlier that day, and then we got into a current where the water temp dropped like 5 degrees and we both stuck our heads above water and said hell no and swam back in. walked over to the bay side, not much but we were staying close to shore as there were a bunch of big rocks and all the fish were hiding in and around them. Deff will be going back there.

Maybe someone could unveil some of their secret spots!!! All I saw was a lot of grassy plants, sand, rocks. But it was awesome!!!

P.S. Note to self, Go on a day when its not insanely overcast!

 

[torit123]

Isalamorad beach easy snorkle

Isalamorad beach easy snorkle

Go to Robbies, rent a kayak for a few hours, reasonable and go out to the west side of Indian key, easy good snorkle in sanctuary, most good sites in keys are well off shore, the reefline is 4 or so miles off shore(in the gulf stream, awesome visibility always), shallow water but far out. It's an easy kayak to Indian key and you can tour the Island and picnic if you like. There's an old hammerhead there that alot of people spot but leaves us alone.

Other wise rent a boat for 1/2 day and hit the many spots, if you head off out of Tavernier creek and hit Molasses that's a very easy secure place for the novice, some shallow reef 5-15 feet just inside the buoys as well. Cheapest boat rental at Robbies though in Islamorada (Tarpon feeding place)