All about Snorkeling in Key West and the
Florida Keys. A little planning ahead can help you enjoy all that we have to
offer in way of snorkeling. From what to bring, where to go snorkeling, and
things to be on the watch out for. Hope you will find some new insights that
will help you plan your trip down to Key west and enable you to enjoy as
much time as you can exploring our waters. I know that for many of you time
is a factor on just how much you can do.
read more below
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Key West Snorkeling on Big Catamarans
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If you plan on driving down to Key
West, either all the way from home or after you fly down and rent a car
there are lots of places you can stop along the way and enjoy the clear blue
waters of the Florida Keys. Some side trips you may want to check out and
plan ahead for. As you are just about to leave the mainland you may want to
check out both of these.
Everglades National Park and
Key Biscayne National Park. Most people do not realize just how close
they are to the Everglades. I highly recommend a quick trip to see just part
of it. The main south entrance is just 20 minutes from US1 the main welcome
center is just outside the main gate so you can just pop in and browse with
out paying to get into the park. I do recommend going in to just the first
exit a few miles in to the
Anhinga Trail. Walk the boardwalk with its self guided tour and you will
see just about everything the glades has to offer depending on the time of
year lots of alligators are guaranteed in the winter months. The whole tip
from Burger King on US1 to doing the visitor center and the walk around
first trail and back to US1 4 Hours tops. Try and make this detour before
entering or if the timing is better as you leave the Florida Keys. Now if
you make a left at Burger King you head toward Key Biscayne National Park
about a half hour drive from US1 here you can get some snorkeling in. Its a
nice side trip but i would wait till you get to
John Peenakamp State Park for a few hours of snorkeling it is right on
US 1 in Key Largo. As you drive down the keys there are lots of places you
can just pull of the road and take a quick dip and snorkel. There is no
coral but you never know what you may find as you go snorkeling around and
helps keep the kids from getting too cranky.
Ann's Beach at MM 72.5 ( MM= Mile Marker little green signs on the side
of the road Homestead on the mainland is about MM 120 and Key West is MM 0)
Next big place is
Baja Honda State park MM 36.5. great of hours of beach fun and
snorkeling and it is one of the few beaches in the Florida Keys with real
sand and small waves. Another great side trip to take either on the way in
or leaving the Florida Keys, so plan to squeeze it in. If no time just south
of the park on US 1 is
Veterans Memorial Beach MM 40 another quickie for snorkeling. Just Keep
in mind that just about anywhere you can pull the road you can go
snorkeling. A good tip for those of you spending the week in Key West and
driving down with the middle and upper keys having so much to offer you may
want to break up your trip explore the upper Keys on your first day grab a
hotel for the first night then explore the middle keys then drive to Key
West for the rest of your vacation. You can even flip that around and spend
you last night in marathon and check out the upper keys and everglade before
you have to catch the plane home its all about timing. read more below
Snorkeling experience in the Florida Keys
Key West By
halfpricetours 8/18/11
But the reef isn’t the only place in the keys that’s great for
snorkeling; the sea grass areas in Key West are also a hot spot for
snorkelers, also booming with sea life.
The Best Snorkeling From the Shore in Marathon,
Florida
Key Westby John Cagney Nash, Demand Media
usatoday.com 8/18/11
Snorkeling from the shore is not the norm in the Florida Keys.
Vacationers buy their equipment from beach-side vendors -- or from Walgreens
on Duval or CVS on Truma in Key West, where the prices are typically much
lower -- and practice off the beaches, but there is little if anything to
see.
Things to Be Careful of When Snorkeling in the Florida Keys Key WestBy Cheryl Starr 8/9/11 ehow.com
The Florida Keys offer breathtaking snorkeling experiences much like the
Caribbean, with similar reefs and marine life.
Knowing what to watch for while snorkeling in the Florida Keys can help you
enjoy a safer experience.
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Its a very good thing to
have all your snorkeling gear with you before you get into the Keys. A main
thing to realize is that you do not need fins for the most part while just
Snorkeling around as you drive down and they are a pain to pack for the
trip. If you want you can buy snorkels and mask at home and bring them with
you small and easy to pack. Most K Marts have them If its the winter months
they will not. No worries there is a big Wall Mart just off US 1 in
Homestead just north of where the turnpike ends at US1 they have mask and
snorkeling gear year round at a good price. Trick on the right size for mask
put it over your face suck in some air thought your nose and see if it stays
on. Underwater cameras are a big must have you will find them lots cheaper
if you buy them ahead of time. For most off shore Snorkeling there is not a
lot to take pictures of other then the others in your group snorkeling that
you can do with your digital camera but once you start going snorkeling out
at our reefs there are a must. ( Tip while taking pictures while Snorkeling
for the best colors same rules Apply as on land Keep the sun to your back in
most cases. The only time you may not want to do this is when your trying to
get a picture of rays of light piercing though the Water.) Another good
thing to bring are some beach shoes you can wear while you snorkeling
around. Because the water here is so shallow you may have to walk out a
little bit before you can start snorkeling the beach may be sandy but as
soon as you enter the water you will find its a soft mushy bottom with
pieces of coral that makes it hard to walk. You can pick them up at the same
places you get your mask they usually run $6 to $10 but more than well worth
it. If you are coming down in the winter months bring a sweat shirt the
waters are still warm but when you get out the air can be quite cold
especially on windy days.
Now if you are Flying all the way into Key West you can
either bring it with you or get it once you get here. We have a K Mart, CVS, and
Walgreen's plus many of the grocery stores carry you snorkeling Supplies. They
are located in what we call new town on North Roosevelt Blvd. Plus there is a
CVS and Wal-Mart right on Duval Street for those of you staying in Old Town. You
will have no trouble getting what you need to enjoy our waters surrounding Key
West. Finish reading below
Where to get some beach
snorkeling in in Key West. there are three main places you can snorkel you
will not find corals but lots of small odds and ends if you look closely.
Smathers
Beach by far the most popular beach here in Key West. Its typical of the
Keys. Your sitting on a nice sandy beach with the palm trees waving in the
breeze looking out over the water usually calm and flat ( no waves ) looks
peaceful. This beach you have to walk way out to get into water up to your
knees with a soft mushy bottom of plants and coral chunks ( beach shoes )
For the kids and the young at heart as soon as your in about a foot of water
start snorkeling and see what you can spot hiding among the sea grasses.
When snorkeling off then beaches here in Key West always keep watch out in
front of you and see what trying to get out of your way, and if you got the
patience and look hard enough you may spy seahorses clinging onto the sea
grasses they are had to spot their color matches the grasses.
Higgs Beach
is where I usually go for a quick dip the right side has a long wooden pier
and when it ends pilings form and older dock continues way beyond it
snorkeling under the pier you find lots of fish hiding in the shade with
plant growth covering its pilings. Snorkeling you will spot sand dollars,
Sea Biscuits and pointy sea urchins. The first too will look strange they
will be covered with plants growth the waters are shallow so the sun
penetrate way down this enables it to grow on there host in exchange it
gives them good camouflage. Even the Blue crab and conch shell you may come
across are covered. If you snorkeling in a group to the left of Higgs beach
is the concrete fishing pier which makes for some nice snorkeling. Just keep
an eye out for people fishing and stay clear of those areas. ( Tip for those
of you who do not have Snorkeling gear you can rent it right on the beach.
For families with kids snorkeling for the first time this is a great beach
to practice on before you pay out $30 to $40 to go out to the reefs and jump
into 20 feet of water. You will see just how relaxing snorkeling is floating
on you stomach and get use to the snorkel and mask. The last place to
snorkel off the beach at
Fort
Zackary State Park. Here the water gets deep fast so most people do
their snorkeling around the Rock Jetty here you may spot your first Parrot
Fish and hear then scrap the vegetation off the rocks to eat.
The one must do on any trip to Key West is to get out and do some
snorkeling on the reefs. Off Key West mostly your snorkeling on patch reefs.
Whichever charter you choose they provide all the snorkeling gear that you
need. For the most part they take you too Sand Key about 7 miles from key
West. there are a few different ways you get out to the reefs to Snorkel.
The big Catamarans like
Sebago and
Sunnydays make trips out a few times a day morning noon and sunset. They
hold a good number of people so you will make lots of new friends. Then
there are all day sails that include snorkeling these usually go to other
places and not sand key. You can just charter a boat and sail and snorkel
like
Danger Charters. Being you and you family and friends are the only ones
on the boat they can cater you trip to what you want to do. You can even
take a catamaran out to the Dry Tortugas National Park. These are all day
trips that let you explore the fort there and snorkel around it. you will
have lots of option depending on you budget and time to get some snorkeling
in.
One big question lot of our visitors like to know is when is the
best time to go out snorkeling morning, midday, or sunset. Each has its
pluses and minuses. The Morning snorkel trip are good because the water is
its clearest. No boats or other snorkelers stirring up the bottom since then
sails the day before. the clarity of the water more than makes up for the
average lighting that get better as the sun rises in the sky. For those who
tends to party the night before this may not be your best choice. the Midday
snorkeling trips Are great for their bright colors with the sun right over
head. This gives you the best opportunities for picture taking. These trips
are also when its the most crowed out there. The sunset snorkeling trips are
good because they time them so that as you are coming back to Key West you
get to enjoy our great sunsets. The lighting is not the best on these trips
and the visibility is the poorest for the day. You may want to make sure
that you go out a few times during your visit once midday and one sunset. On
most these trip once you finish snorkeling for those over 21 you can drink
some its include in the price of the ticket for soda. beer, and wine. With a
cash bar for other drink. This varies fro charter to charter.
There are things you should be aware of while you go snorkeling in
Key West. Jellyfish can give you a nasty sting if you snorkel into their
long tentacles. A few fish live in the waters surrounding Key West both can
ruin your vacation one is the scorpion Fish its camouflage colors blend in
with the coral as it lays motionless on the bottom. The other is out new
unwelcome guest here in the keys the Lionfish its long spines make it look
very pretty, but can send you off to the emergency room. You will also see
spiny sea urchins. these critters are easy to avoid just by not touching or
standing on the bottom. We also have Fire Coral which is not a coral but a
Colony of hydroids can give you a good burning sting. Again do not touch any
thing and no worries. Do not stand on the coral once you leave Key West you
are now under Maritime Law. If a Captain of a boat sees you standing on
coral they have the right to shoot you (Just Kidding) or am I. Please
do not touch or stand on anything while you snorkeling. If curious as to
what coral feels like it much like running your hand over a red brick.
Living here I only go out snorkeling on calm days much more relaxing but I
know you can not always pick a perfect day for snorkeling. If its windy you
will hence waves out there small but waves. Lots of our coral reaches almost
to the surface. If you are snorkeling do not swim over top these. You may be
at the top of a wave but after it passes you find yourself crashing down on
top of it. Not good for you or the coral. If as many of you are coming down
in the winter with no tan be careful going out snorkeling most the time you
will be floating on you stomach. With the cooler water you have not notion
just how much sun you are getting so getting a bad sunburn is easy. Most sun
block wash off very fast in the water there are a few scuba divers use that
last longer. Me I found the best way is ti just wear a light color tee shirt
and problem solved. Legs and arms get the sun block. A very good practice is
swim with a buddy Mom Dad brother or sister in case there is a problem you
have fast help right at hand. If going out by yourself its easy to make
friends out there to buddy up with. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry it tends to
attract barracuda. I have never heard of one biting but it can be
uncomfortable when they get close. I have seen lots of article warning about
sharks in the Florida Keys I have not seen that as a problem here we do have
all the types but our waters are so clear they see you from far away and
they know you are not part of their menu. Unlike up the east coast where the
visibility is poor and swimmers and surfers get mistaken as something they
are not.
For those of you coming down to Key West time is your biggest
problem. There is so much to see and do so a little planning ahead helps.
You want to enjoy as much of our waters as you can. I recommend getting in
some snorkeling as soon as you can and hopefully the waters are calm. If you
have the bad luck of coming during a windy week try and pick a day that is
calmest, so of the smaller charters will take you to some protected areas
from the wind. I always got my first snorkeling in my first or second day
and squeeze another one in later. For Families a good first stop is the
Eco Discovery Center it free and the kids can get a good understanding
of what they will see and how its all tied together. It's never too early or
late to instill a sense of stewardship in both young and old alike.
Snorkeling 8/5/11 Mirror.co.uk - Iain
Mayhew - Jul 18, 2011
... take a glass-bottom boat out to the coral reef, go snorkeling or scuba
dive. ... Key West sparkles on the water, with its old clapboard houses,
bars, ...
Florida
Snorkeling 8/5/11
6abc.com - Jul 13, 2011
The only way to find decent snorkeling in Key West is to grab a boat ride
out to the off-shore reef. The tours are safe, but can be scary because
you're in ...
Key West Snorkeling 8/6/11
TravelVideo.tv (press release)
The following day brings botanical and wildlife tours to Florida Bay and
the Keys backcountry, and a snorkeling excursion to see how biologists
conduct ...
Key West Snorkeling 8/6/11 Florida Sportsman
Magazine - Sam Hudson - Jul 22, 2011
The new law prohibits diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of improved
residential or ... and no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary. ...
