Where is a a good spot to snorkel in the Florida Keys 4 beginner?

[Reefbox]

I'm looking to snorkel for the first time somewhere in the keys in January or February or possibly get certified in scuba while im there. Other option is go to Cayman islands but i dont have my passport yet.

Is there anywhere to go where it is shallow and u can see a reef?



Thanks for any input.

 

[RicksReefs]

john pennecamp S.P. will be your best bet. plenty of life and scuba shops in the area too.

 

[ibanezgfx]

sombrero reef in Marathon is good for snorkeling

 

[musicgirl1217]

My hubby and I did the Sundiver Snorkeling in Key Largo last week. It was great and the water temp was 76-77. Don't remember which reef we went to, not as colorful as the pics you see, but still very, very cool. Lots of different fish, sea fans, lobsters, etc. Even a 5' baracuda (but there is a much larger one there that we didn't see).

Also, the Sundowner restaurant in Key Largo has fabulous food.

Enjoy!

 

[warriorss08]

Key Largo is good. I was there 2 days after x-mas for a couple of days. there are a lot of nice shallow places. If you want a nice wreck, dive the Speigle (sp?). It's an old WWII boat that is just huge. It's a great dive and their is a HUGE grouper that lives there. He's about 600-700lbs.

 

[thor32766]

yeah pennecamp is a great area to go. The goliath grouper is awesome on the wreck dive.

 

[Reefbox]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to have to check that giant grouper out. I can't wait to finally go.

Will the water be warm enough in the keys all winter long?

 

[RicksReefs]

coming from PA, ya, it will still be warm all winter.

 

[divemonster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11610727#post11610727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by warriorss08
If you want a nice wreck, dive the Speigle (sp?).

The Spiegel Grove is considered an advanced dive and not good for snorkeling at all. If you want to snorkel a wreck try the City Of Washington wreck.

 

[vtminter]

snorkeling the keys

snorkeling the keys

Most dive shops in the keys won't take a beginner to the speigel. I used to work as a dive master at a shop down there, and if the owner allowed someone with less than advance open water go dive the speigel i would have quit. There are a lot of very nice reefs though that are anywere from 10 to 30 feet for snorkeling. The city of washington will make an ok snorkel if the conditions are nice and there isn't much of a surge to move sediment around.

 

[thor32766]

water temps recently have been around 75-78 around shore line. quite warmer then up north. good luck with your trip

 

[johnmaloney]

John pennecamp is the first place I snorkeled, it got me hooked. It is definitely the place to go. You can't go wrong there, and the diving is easy, no caves you have to in, etc... The life is right underneath you.

Have fun!

 

[Reefdiver77]

If you can make it to Puerto Rico, US territory, and no passport required, there is wonderful snorkeling. Go to the islands of Culebra or Vieques for magnificent snorkeling/diving. We are going back to these 2 islands for 2 weeks in July and I can't wait!!

 

[Reefbox]

Does anybody have any suggestions on a hotel to stay at that is beachfront, right where i can snorkel at around pennekamp? Looking to go in late march.



Thanks

 

[reef321]

I went to pennecamp, that was really fun, and everything was just right underneath you.

 

[acrohead500ppm]

under the bridges that connect the islands 4 sure
also bring a plastic bottle and make noise with it underwater
a fresh cut or scrape would be good too. LOL!!!

 

[RicksReefs]

since bull sharks roam the bridges at the tide changes, you might get to see them up close, especially if your cut...