Snorkling in the Keys

KRB64

KRB64

Member
Oct 12, 2006
785
Central Kentucky or Dale Hollow Lake
Boat Info
'76 SRV195 (our first) -> moved up to
'78 240 WE (now 4 sale because ->)
'82 260 DA shared
Engines
A Ford 351, a couple GM 350s and a Cummins 6BT to pull it all (W250)
We're planning on heading down to the Florida Keys next spring and I'm trying to do my homework early.

Want to take the kids snorkling. Years ago I went but have no idea who the comapany was now. Can anyone recommend some good charter boats or areas? Open to all ideas. We'll be down by Big Pine Key.

Thanks,
 
In my opinion, the best snorkeling is going to be in the upper keys - Key Largo - rather than down south at Big Pine. My favorite: Quiescence Dive Services. The take out a maximum of 6 people into Pennecamp at a time.

http://www.keylargodiving.com/

The Admiral and I took a snorkeling trip out of Stock Island a few years ago, but I can't remember the charter company name. It wasn't really all that memorable anyway.

Take a look at the Dry Tortuga snorkel trips. We haven't done that yet, but we have never heard anything bad about them. We were hoping to go this year, but the admiral had surgery for a torn achilles and that has put a hold on the plans.
 
If your going to be in Key West you have to do the Dry Tortuga's Day Trip. It's a little pricey but well worth it. They provide snorkeling gear and food and drink. The Sea life down there is incredible, we swam with a school of Tarpon the smallest being 6'.
 
I've heard about the Dry Tortugas, sounds like a must see. You can camp there too I understand. Thanks for the ideas guys.
 
Go a little further south to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, BVI and snorkel there for a great place. It's at 21.47.19N, 72.13.33W. We just got back last night from a 5 day stay there. Beautiful water, 12 mile long Grace Bay Beach. Doesn't get much better.

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Sombrero Reef just off of Marathon is worth a stop if you are heading south. They have moorings that you just tie up to. You can also see the tower from the seven mile bridge. We go there a lot since my dad has a house there. Bring some cheese wiz in a can, dive down and spray it out. The fish love it.
 
Unfortunately our boats will be left behind so we're at the mercy of charters. Thanks for all the good suggestions so far!
 
If you're somewhat new to snorkeling, stop at John Pennekamp park on the way down, it's in Key Largo. Take the trip to Carysfort Light/reef (although any of them are nice). Carysfort is particularly nice as it has various depths from a few feet to 15' or so. Lots of coral, tropicals, some larger fish, an occasional barracuda or nurse shark, but they are well fed by the abundant sea life and you're not their next meal :) The reef, in one fashion or another extends all the way from Fowey rock south of Miami to near Key west. The best is found from Key Largo south to about Marathon. Check your charts and look for Hawks Channel on the ocean side of the Keys. It's one of the two ways to go from So. Fla to Key West and beyond. Smaller vessels with a draft of less than 4 feet can run inside the Keys via the ICW. Hawks Channel is more than 12' depth and is bordered seaward by the reefs. The outer reef is anywhere from about one mile to a few miles seaward of the Keys. Check the weather, as heavy winds and seas will create quite a bit of turbidity. Otherwise, at less than 10 knots and 2-3 foot seas, the clarity is teriffic. Have a ball!
 
StevenDavid said:
If you're somewhat new to snorkeling, stop at John Pennekamp park on the way down, it's in Key Largo. Take the trip to Carysfort Light/reef (although any of them are nice). Carysfort is particularly nice as it has various depths from a few feet to 15' or so. Lots of coral, tropicals, some larger fish, an occasional barracuda or nurse shark, but they are well fed by the abundant sea life and you're not their next meal :) The reef, in one fashion or another extends all the way from Fowey rock south of Miami to near Key west. The best is found from Key Largo south to about Marathon. Check your charts and look for Hawks Channel on the ocean side of the Keys. It's one of the two ways to go from So. Fla to Key West and beyond. Smaller vessels with a draft of less than 4 feet can run inside the Keys via the ICW. Hawks Channel is more than 12' depth and is bordered seaward by the reefs. The outer reef is anywhere from about one mile to a few miles seaward of the Keys. Check the weather, as heavy winds and seas will create quite a bit of turbidity. Otherwise, at less than 10 knots and 2-3 foot seas, the clarity is teriffic. Have a ball!
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what are the differences between Hawks and ICW channels? I expect that Hawks is faster, higher and consistent cruiding speeds? ICW a bit more scenic?
 
Just returned from Marathon. We rented a boat instead of taking ours, well worth the cost. Sombrero Key is good as well as Coffin's Patch. We also did a little snorkeling on the Gulf, not as good but the ride is worth it.
 
I Snorkeled in Biscayne Bay National Park last month. It was a great time.
 
Glen said:
Just returned from Marathon. We rented a boat instead of taking ours, well worth the cost. Sombrero Key is good as well as Coffin's Patch. We also did a little snorkeling on the Gulf, not as good but the ride is worth it.
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So tell me about boat rental. What size and how much? Where from?
Thanks,
 
Hey, if anyone wants to go scuba diving I can set you up with my friend, Randy, in Key West. Randy just found a "piece of eight" hidden on the sunken USS Vandenburg by a diver from Mel Fisher's. :smt038
http://keysnews.com/node/32684 or http://www.news-press.com/article/2...-West-diver-finds-valuable-coin-ship-wreckage

I was just in Key West with Randy over the July 4th weekend and I got to snorkel over the wreck as he took some divers down to it. He is a certified divemaster and instructor.

-Steve
 
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