Please fill out highlighted fields and click "Compare Prices" to continue. If kayaking and snorkeling are on your list of preferred water activities in the Florida Keys, then the Half-Day Cruise with Kayaking and Snorkeling is a good opportunity to do both in one … The patch reef is about halfway between the keys and the barrier reef, bringing the opportunity to marvel at many different types of fish, green eels and occasionally a sea turtle too. The Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) sits about eight nautical miles southwest of Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key. It has one of the best developed reef walls in the Keys. Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. It is possible to reach Key West by boat or plane. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area, Big Pine Key, Top 15 Under-the-Radar Travel Destinations, A Local's Guide to the 10 Best Museums in St. Petersburg, Florida, Top 15 Vacation Rentals for a Florida Keys Road Trip, Eat, Drink and Be Merry This Holiday Season at Capt. The hurricane season in Florida runs from June to the end of November. These experiences are best for scuba & snorkeling in Key West: Key West Florida Reef Half-Day Snorkeling Excursion; Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West; Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Cruise; Half-Day Cruise from Key West with Kayaking and Snorkeling; Key West Full-Day Power Adventure: Sailing & Watersports Package Snorkeling and looking for cute creatures in Key Largo, FL. In basic terms it is actually an “artificial” reef. Conch Reef is actually eight patch reefs located in 12 to 30 foot deep water. Barefoot Billy’s Florida Keys snorkeling shop focuses its Key West snorkeling … The best time to visit the snorkeling spots in Key West is between December and May. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, check out the top Airbnb rentals in the area. There are 3 man made rock islands where the fish have created an ecosystem. and privacy policy. While snorkeling … The shallow area ranges from two feet to a depth of 30 feet and spans 30 acres, while its arch is a vast limestone structure decorated with numerous colorful stony and gorgonian coral and sea sponges, along with neon gobies, grunt and snapper. Some of the key innovative features incorporated into this product allow you to avoid the re-inhalation of CO2 whilst exploring underwater. There are a bunch of snorkel locations that are simply stunning, some of the best we have ever seen anywhere. Spread across 70 nautical miles, snorkelers can see all sorts of tropical fish, sea turtles and even shipwrecks. 1. Fort Jefferson also offers snorkel tours with complimentary fins, mask and snorkel provided. Hop on a boat to Coffins Patch, four nautical miles off Key Colony Beach, for some of the best snorkeling in the middle Keys. Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Want to experience snorkeling in a breathtaking underwater world without a passport or a longer journey to the Caribbean? There are countless companies offering Key West snorkeling tours, but these two have the best variety of options. Call, 305-289-0614 prior to trip to find out where we will be snorkeling that day! In addition to tropical fish such as sergeant majors, goliath grouper, angelfish and parrotfish, swimmers here can spot eagle rays, eels, lemon sharks, and reef sharks. Snorkel trips are to the coral reefs at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where the Christ of the Abyss is located and the National Marine Sanctuaries. If you’re an ocean lover and are looking for a snorkelling adventure in the United States, consider a trip to the Florida Keys. The glistening blue waters of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park are an inviting sight to behold for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike, and it’s an ideal place to become acquainted with the Keys’ marine life. The shallow water makes swimming here easy for beginners, and sea life is abundant. Every day is brand-new, something different every time. The clarity of the crystalline turquoise water is amazing on most days, making it easy to see this spectacular underwater world. One of the best places to snorkel in the continental U.S., it’s home to the country’s first undersea park which includes the water west of Key Largo and the beach. Like all of the other Florida Keys, Key West offers fantastic boating, snorkeling, fishing, and other outdoor opportunities. 1 of 13. When planning your trip, be sure to include some of these top spots to jump in and enjoy it. Many of the best places to snorkel in saltwater require a boat to access, but not all of them. Get our latest advice & deals in your inbox! If you are looking for the best underwater experience, the Keys offers definitely the best snorkeling in Florida with colorful coral reefs, lots of tropical fish species, turtles, rays and often nurse sharks around. The reefs of the Keys enjoy the distinction of being the only tropical coral reefs in the contiguous states, as well as the third longest barrier reef in the world. You will always see fish there. By subscribing I agree to the terms This Florida Keys snorkel site lies within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and … The Florida Keys are famous for their fantastic snorkeling opportunities. For those who stay visit Islamorada, Cheeca Rocks is another great snorkeling option. The best place to consider is what is known as the Middle Keys. These experiences are best for scuba & snorkeling in Florida Keys: Key West Florida Reef Half-Day Snorkeling Excursion. Marathon, Key Largo, Islamorada and Key West have some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Florida Keys. The best time to visit the snorkeling spots in Key West is between December and May. # 8. Biscayne National Park has two locations for shore snorkel excursions. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Best Florida Keys Snorkeling Spots. We visited Grecian Rocks and another shallow reef and had a very relaxed experience that was perfect for snorkelers. A group tour is an immersive way to enjoy Florida Keys snorkeling lessons from certified instructors. Compare photos, rates, and availability and save up to 30% today! The Keys are known for their many reefs and Sombrero Reef is one of the best. Hiram’s Resort in Florida. It’s home to myriad tropical fish, coral, and marine animals, and it’s where the Spanish ship Ignacio sunk in the 18th century. Florida Keys snorkeling is a popular activity among locals and visitors alike. Visitors to the park can join a tour to reach the impressive diversity of fish that congregate here. Atop the reef, you can often see jacks and barracudas swimming about. But for one of the best snorkeling spots, take the high-speed ferry from Key West 70 miles out to the isolated Dry Tortugas -- the westernmost part of the Florida Keys … But the most interesting way to get there it to drive along Florida’s historic Highway 1. Florida experiences optimal weather during these months which provides breezy, sunny days and ideal conditions for water activities. Get ready for fun in the sun on this dolphin watch and snorkeling adventure off the coast of Key West. Sombrero Reef is considered the very best reef in The Keys. See the ocean reef and marine life with a personal trip catering to your needs. These experiences are best for scuba & snorkeling in Key West: Key West Florida Reef Half-Day Snorkeling Excursion; Key West Full-Day Power Adventure: Sailing & Watersports Package; Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West; Half-Day Cruise from Key West with Kayaking and Snorkeling; Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Cruise There is less boat traffic along these keys which makes it safer to snorkel. Its coral reef houses some of the most extensive life-forms you might ever witness. We did the 12:30pm trip and were all extremely happy with our experience. You’re likely to encounter schools of grunts, all sorts of beautiful angelfish, wrasse and parrotfish. The ultimate snorkeling getaway lies 70 miles off Key West at Dry Tortugas National Park, which is only accessible by ferry or seaplane. This is one of the best spots ON Key West to go snorkeling. Tip: should you look for snorkeling in the Pacific Coast in America, check out where to snorkel in California! The nine-foot bronze statue of Jesus Christ stands in 25 feet of water and reaches up with outstretched arms toward the surface, surrounded by tropical fish and other marine life. The best reef within the Keys is Sombrero Reef. Florida has an abundance of snorkeling spots, but the Florida Keys are a gem for snorkelers. To see healthy, colorful … Best Snorkeling in the Keys. This pub crawl covers watering holes of Duval Street, where visitors will find many of Key West's best bars and nightlife venues. Set sail on a classic, two-masted wooden schooner from the Key West Historic Seaport on the … Snorkeling the crystal-clear waters around the historic fort makes for the perfect day trip, and camping at historic Fort Jefferson allows for a number of unique adventures underwater, even night snorkeling. Buy tickets with Viator. We'll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! Another offshore excursion, Key Largo Dry Rocks reef east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is home to the famed Christ of the Abyss statue, which was sunk there in 1965. Bahia Honda State Park is home to some of the most popular campsites in the country, just steps away from some of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys, but you don’t have to spend the night to enjoy them. The reefs of the Keys enjoy the distinction of being the only tropical coral reefs in the contiguous … The coral reefs thrive here with abundant fire, star and brain corals, as well as spectacular sea fans that some of the smaller reef fish use to hide. South of Key Largo and northeast of Islamorada Key, the snorkeling at Conch Reef is one of the most popular dives in the Florida Keys. Undeveloped Elliott Key is only accessible by boat, and the shipwrecks east of it are situated along the Maritime Heritage Trail. For a Resurrection Day celebration where the required attire is a bathing suit rather than your Sunday best, you can snorkel with Jesus in the Florida Keys this Easter. Hop on a boat to Coffins Patch, four nautical miles off Key Colony Beach, for some of the best snorkeling in the middle Keys. Best time to snorkel in Key West. These keys are in the middle of the other popular Keys and that is why it got its name, Middle Keys. The only landbased snorkeling is the Pennekamp and Bahia Honda parks in the Middle Keys, but there are inferior sites with little to see. Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples. Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock, The 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in the Florida Keys. I’ve selected 5 of the top-rated boat tours to examine in these Key West snorkeling tours reviews. The fact that the Florida Keys are rich with the kind of shallow-water coral reefs suitable for snorkeling should come as no surprise, as so many of the islands are made out of fossilized coral. Best Snorkeling in the Keys. They are located in the waters off Islamorada (Matecumbe Key), Marathon (Vaca Key), and Big Pine Key. … Best Snorkeling from Key Largo The most popular place to go snorkeling in Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US. It’s the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, stretching from Key Largo to Key West as well as remote islands that are far removed from the mainland. Come anytime to take advantage of the clear shallow waters that make this a great place for beginners who can snorkel right from the beach to view abundant sea life. Review of the best snorkeling at Sea Garden Reef near Key Largo in the Florida Keys. Best reef for a long day of snorkeling. These coral reefs are among the most beautiful … Find 20 or more of the best Snorkeling Tours in Key West, Florida all in one place. With calm, shallow water and lots of sea life to observe, snorkeling at Point of Rocks is one of the best outdoor activities to do on your family vacation. "The visibility was the best I’ve ever seen underwater We wanted to introduce our teenage boys to scuba diving without the expense and time of certification and truly the best money we spent Thank you Snuba of Key..." "All of the guides were very helpful and made a wonderful experience for everyone including those who might have felt nervous about going on a Snuba trip for the first time." Off the water, the park has a café and nature trails and offers guided tours of the historic fort. The water at Sombrero Beach is a bit deeper than at most beaches in Florida Keys, so it’s best for confident swimmers. It’s a great place to snorkel right from shore with the crystal-clear water like glass. Best Times For Wildlife Viewing In Florida Keys While seeing life “under the sea” is a crucial Keys attraction, don’t forget about all animals above ground. All you need is a mask, snorkel, and fins to experience the beauty of coral reefs and the intriguing creatures that thrive beneath the waves. ... Snorkeling and looking for cute creatures in Key Largo, FL. To see healthy, colorful reefs and the best snorkeling in the Keys, you will need to go on a snorkeling trip. By subscribing I agree to the terms and privacy policy. The Best Places for Shore Snorkeling in the Florida Keys Biscayne Bay. Great Spots for Snorkeling in the Florida Keys UPPER KEYS. The park is located at the … Located 70 miles away from Key West, this spot … There are 1000s of varieties of marine sea life to be delightfully viewed in the warm, clear Caribbean waters surrounding Key West. There’s a wealth of sea life to enjoy, including turtles and colorful fish, along with a Spanish shipwreck … It’s home to myriad tropical fish, … And, it’s all directly accessible from a pristine white sand beach. From gin-clear North Florida springs to vibrant, colorful coral reefs in the Florida Keys, here are 10 of the best spots to snorkel in the Sunshine State... Biscayne National Park One top spot to snorkel is close to the hustle and bustle of Miami , and that’s Biscayne National Park , where offshore excursions bring visitors to coral reefs, shipwrecks, and ecologically vital mangrove habitat. We’ll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! The 8 Best Hotels for Snorkeling & Scuba in the Florida Keys. Tropical fish float by in abundant schools while the … While Key Largo and Key West are the most popular spots, by far the best snorkeling is to be found between these two keys. It hosts the city’s favorite beach at its … The main snorkeling ground is right beneath the lighthouse, with its steel foundations serving as the home for so many tropical fish, you might think you’re swimming inside of an aquarium. There’s also a scenic nature trail with shady trees that traverses through a variety of ecosystems, including some beautiful deserted beaches while offering the opportunity to watch for all sorts of shorebirds. The crystal-clear waters also offer amazing snorkeling opportunities. It is a unique water tour experience that covers some 13 miles of the Florida Keys in and around the island city of Islamorada. Trip destination is at the discretion of the Captain, due to winds and will be decided the morning of the trip. This shallow-water snorkeling tour in Key Largo specializes in creating great snorkeling experiences for first-time snorkelers, kids, and families. Snorkel Tours Private Tour 2.5 & 3.5 Hour Tours Join us for a unique snorkel experience in Key Largo's Pennekamp state park. The WSTOO Full Face Snorkel Mask is a superior quality full face underwater breathing device specially crafted to make the snorkeling experience of both adults and children safer and more exciting. To access snorkeling here you’ll have to have a boat or join a tour. Submerged about 25 feet in the sea in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the 4,000-pound Christ of the Deep – sometimes called Christ of the Abyss – is a bronze statue by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. One of the best spots in the continental U.S. for snorkeling can be found in Key Largo at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Coffins Patch reef is named after a shipwreck that happened in the 18th century. The Ultimate Florida Keys Snorkeling Adventure Is At Fort Jefferson. Book your Trip! Best reef for a long day of snorkeling. Florida Keys. But it’s perhaps most proud of its quirkiness. On the reef crest, view butterflyfish and grunts, and to the north, surgeonfish and parrotfish. These come in three types: lowest price cattle cruises, high … Key West is in a unique location at the southernmost point of the US that places it closer to Havana than Miami. Features. Key West has Duval St and that cool island vibe, but there’s so much to see under the sea. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a National Historic Landmark that offers some of the clearest blue waters for snorkeling and diving in Key West. The Middle Keys is also known as Big Pine, Matecumbe, and Vaca Keys. Get a fun and comfortable introduction to snorkeling on this tour in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, known for its beautiful reefs and marine life. To reach it, you’ll need to join a boat from the Marathon area on Vaca Key. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. , Marathon ( Vaca Key ), and more possible to reach it you... 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