Where to snorkel in Miami?

[Gooli]

Hello, I am actually from Los Angeles and I am visting Miami on Business in late May.

I am staying at the Ritz Carlton in Miami and was wondering where would be the closest and nicest place to snorkel? You do have reefs down there don't ya?

thanks

 

[Rogger Castells]

There are a few artificial reefs that you can snorkle from the shore, one of them is red reef in Boca raton, there is a few in the key largo, most of the ocean outlets have great snorkling areas, like governors cut and Bal Harbour however you must remain on the inside of the cut as they have heavy boat traffic

 

[jeffbrig]

I just snorkeled Red Reef last weekend. Plenty of fish, but very few of them were what I would consider "tropicals" (1 parrot and a couple of sargeant majors). It didn't strike me so much a reef as some rocks with a sponge and algaes growing, and a few tiny coral pieces. Was it better before the hurricanes last year?

IMO, much better stuff down in the keys, the nearest of which is Key Largo.

Keep in mind that the atlantic reefs are very different from the stereotypical picture of an SPS dominated pacific reef (and most hobbyist tanks). Here you'll find elkhorn, brain corals, gorgonians, sea fans, etc. Beautiful in its own right, but different nonetheless.

 

[Bullredchaser]

Ritz Carlton is on Key Biscayne which is surronded by flats.Good for bone fishing,not good for snorkeling.I'd go down to Key Largo and see the Acros and underwater Christ statue in Pennekamp.You will have to pay for a snorkeling trip on a boat to get on the reef.You can then reward yourself at the Tiki Bar with a Rum Runner and a 151 floater.A must have when in the upper Keys.

 

[Gooli]

thanks guys..problem is I have from early morning on sunday to about noon allocated for this activity..sounds like i may need alot more time...i just thought i can walk down the beach from the hotel and snorkel

 

[Rogger Castells]

Golan, actually if you are in the Ritz Carlton in City of Miami, there is no ocean beach to walk to, Miami is isolated from the ocean beach by a stretch of island on the east called Miami beach, these are the same island that as they go south become Key Biscayne and the Florida keys and although there is water in between it is not clear enough to snorkel, this body of water is known as the intercostals waterways.
Miami beach is not far of a drive from were you will be staying and if you just want something quick and fun you can try exploring a few of our natural rocks near the shore, I know there is some natural rocks between 30th and 33rd street in Miami beach, I have explored this rocks while shore diving and they are pretty interesting, but again, I love the ocean and seeing a few sally crabs and some hermits in their natural environment is very interesting to me.

 

[Gooli]

thanks I will give it a shot

 

[DJOfir]

Are there any other snorkeling spots in broward county? Is there any nice ones which dont require a boat trip?

 

[Bullredchaser]

Pompano and Deerfield are tops in South Florida for snorkeling and beach dives.The reef comes as close as 150 ft out in about 8-10 feet of water.

 

[DJOfir]

Really? Damn thats good to know, I think I might check it out this weekend. Thanks.