snorkeling in the keys

[illal]

im planning a trip to the keys during this next month and was wondering where some of the best places would be to go snorkeling that a boat isnt required???? suggestions???? if i take one of those guided snorkeling trips wich would the best be??? id like to possbliy take one of those guided trips one day and then go some place on my own the next day

 

[illal]

wow you mean nobody snorkels in the keys?

 

[Hendersonracing]

Id like to......take some pics....good luck & have fun!

 

[Matt Rise]

My wife and I went on a Key West snorkel trip back in '98. I don't remember the name of the company, but it was decent. The first reef we went to was pretty deep, and the waves were pretty big, so most people stayed on the boat. I did get to swim up close with a Nurse Shark though. The second reef they took us to was about 8-10' deep and was very calm, great for beginners.

Snorkeling from the beaches was kind of a dissapointment. I saw some old TV's, lots of trash, some Barracuda's and a Portugese Man 'o War...

 

[r00onmac]

best diving/snorkeling is around key largo maybe a little further south... nothing too great down by key west...

 

[Baalz]

I would suggest taking a snorkel boat out from pennekamp to see Molassas reef or French reef. My favorite snorkel trip was out to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Snorkeling around the entire fort and piers.

Do be careful on who you decide to snorkel with. You do not want to be going out with a load of divers since they will want deeper and you will not see much. I'm a diver and I always feel sorry for the snorkelers brought out on some of these trips.

The best places for snorkeling are the in shore reefs. Now to find inshore reefs.. thats the hard part because the locals don't like to tell.

 

[Tennsquire]

I agree that Pennekamp is probably the best. Unfortunately, you'll probably want to sign onto a snorkel boat. They'll take you out to the barrier reefs about 2-3 miles off shore. If you snorkel from shore, there's mainly turtle grass and sandy areas and not the types of marine life that inhabit the reef. Do a web search; there's lots of companies in Key Largo that are snorkel only and are fairly reasonable.

 

[beaker99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9347810#post9347810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Baalz
I would suggest taking a snorkel boat out from pennekamp to see Molassas reef or French reef. My favorite snorkel trip was out to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Snorkeling around the entire fort and piers.

Do be careful on who you decide to snorkel with. You do not want to be going out with a load of divers since they will want deeper and you will not see much. I'm a diver and I always feel sorry for the snorkelers brought out on some of these trips.

The best places for snorkeling are the in shore reefs. Now to find inshore reefs.. thats the hard part because the locals don't like to tell.

I agree with baaz. If you have the time and the money I would do the Dry tTotugaas, or Pennecamp. However, if you want to pack up a picnic and go snorkeling too I would check out Bahia Honda State park. The snorkeling around the base of the old bridge and boat launch.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[conchead]

Pennecamp! Key Largo. Although, I do like Sombrero

 

[conchead]

Sorry, Sombrero Reef that's down at Marathon Key, have fun.

 

[Baalz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9413409#post9413409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beaker99
I agree with baaz. If you have the time and the money I would do the Dry tTotugaas, or Pennecamp. However, if you want to pack up a picnic and go snorkeling too I would check out Bahia Honda State park. The snorkeling around the base of the old bridge and boat launch.
Good luck and have fun.

Yes Bahia Honda was rated one of the top beaches for many years straight. But I do disagree with snorkeling around the old bridge.
There is a nice rip current that goes through there quite a bit and it could take you a mile out to sea.

 

[Leosdad]

Be sure to take the snorkel/dive boat out to Looe Key. Do a search for Looe Key and that will tell you all about it. Nicest snorkeling that I have done in the Keys.

 

[archndevil]

Go to Loo Key right off of either Ramrod or Big Pine, it truly is amazing and definately less crowded than those other places like Pennecamp!

 

[Kgoarmy17]

I agree with archndevil.... I went to Lewe key a few years ago... it is roughly 2 miles outside of I think Big Pine....you need a boat but the big pine key marina would know exactly what you were talking about...

It is great for more snorkeling then diving because it is that perfect depth.

If you cannot get a boat....go to pigeon key... It is the little island off of the old bridge. It has some good spots... we saw a little nurse shark that let us get right up close. There are some butterfly fish and different types of angels living in that area... really pretty... the history is pretty neat there as well.... You have to take a little trolly ride to get to it...but it is a nice half day or full day excursion.

I hope this helps.... For diving/snorkeling..I do not recomend much of Key west only because that is more tourism type stuff...I found it to be a little cheaper in Marathon...(half way)

Anyways..I hope this helps... Have fun!... Ocean side is much prettier then gulf side if you can pick where you are staying!

K Rudolph

 

[Kgoarmy17]

http://www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys/

here is some info.... hope it helps