The Florida Keys dangle off the southern coast of the state like a string of pearls floating in Florida Bay, linked collectively by the Abroad Freeway, extra formally referred to as US Rt 1. However that’s simply the view from the land. Get out onto the water, all a part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and also you’ll uncover an underwater playground.
The waters of the Keys are residence to some 260 species of tropical fish, from toothsome barracuda to a rainbow of wrasses (plus sea stars, sea urchins, spiny lobsters, and a palette of shrimp species worthy of a Van Gogh portray). Throw in some turquoise waters, coral reefs, and loads of underwater surroundings – a large underwater statue of Jesus, anybody? – and also you’ve bought an ideal snorkeling vacation spot that rewards freshmen and seasoned snorkelers alike.
Most guests affiliate the islands with Key West, the final island within the chain which you could attain by automotive (technically nearer to Havana than Miami) however Key Largo is the closest main island to the mainland, to the purpose that it could actually really feel indistinguishable from it. There’s nonetheless nice snorkeling available although – listed here are one of the best locations to masks up and dive in.
Snorkeling dos & don’ts in Key Largo
You may entry Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by automotive, however to succeed in offshore spots across the island, you’ll want to return on a constitution tour by boat. In the event you see a vacation spot listed right here that you simply just like the look of, ask your constitution captain if a go to is a part of their regular tour, or in the event that they cost further to take you there.
Additionally be aware that some native snorkel sights have a comparatively shallow backside, so observe correct snorkeling etiquette and hold your ft and flippers as removed from the coral as potential. Touching coral, and even the drive of a powerful kick, can irreparably harm the reef.
Discover John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park from land
The most well-liked snorkeling vacation spot in Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is simply shy of 60 years outdated. The nation’s first underwater park first opened in 1963, and it is nonetheless packing in vacationers in the present day. The truth is, that’s why we embody the park right here – as a result of nearly everybody who involves Key Largo involves Pennekamp.
You may stroll to 2 snorkeling seashores within the park, however you gained’t be recognizing any coral, though there can be fish darting round. That is sandy backside shore snorkeling – nice for youthful youngsters, freshmen, or those that aren’t assured swimmers. Extra skilled snorkelers will wish to swim out to the stays of an 18th-century Spanish shipwreck (about 100ft offshore by the park), or attempt some extra formidable spots round Key Largo.
Escape with a ship tour at Pennekamp
You may’t swim out to the coral at Pennekamp, however the park operates 2.5-hour boat excursions that get you out onto the reefs (grownup/baby $39/35). These excursions will be crowded, however once more, they’re a very good possibility for freshmen, partly as a result of you possibly can rent park employees members as snorkeling guides ($60, plus $15 for every further individual, as much as a most of six snorkelers). You may see all kinds of sea life – a few of the extra iconic species noticed embody parrotfish and spiny Caribbean lobsters.
Uncover the key of Sea Gardens
Okay, we admit that “secret” is an exaggeration, however Sea Gardens is among the less-visited snorkeling spots off Key Largo, partly as a result of it is a shallow reef space. The reef is often known as Mosquito Financial institution – though that’s clearly not fairly as interesting as a reputation! – and it lies between Molasses Key and Key Largo. You’ll discover some fish right here, however the massive draw is giant clusters of soft coral, which bend within the tides like a grove of underwater bushes.
Get moist at Dry Rocks
What’s in a reputation? That is an space of so-called “spur and groove” reefs – mainly, coral canyons – and the tops of the formations will be uncovered at low tide. What stays decidedly moist at Dry Rocks is a 9ft statue of Jesus referred to as the Christ of the Deep, deliberately positioned right here in 1965. The statue sits in about 25ft of water, and is commonly surrounded by barracuda and rays, each of that are docile round snorkelers and divers. The statue is a duplicate of the Christ of the Abyss sculpture close to Portofino in Italy.
Decelerate for the surroundings at Molasses Reef
Molasses Reef is probably the most visited reef within the Keys, and a spotlight of any snorkeling journey to the islands. The reef, maybe most well-known for its mind coral, is positioned about 6 miles offshore, and thus attracts a greater variety of larger marine fauna, together with a very good variety of sea turtles. The drawbacks? As talked about above, Molasses Reef is well-liked – there are some 32 mooring buoys for snorkeling boats right here.
The snorkeling right here can be extremely weather-dependent, and tour firms can be extra cautious coming this far offshore in uneven circumstances. Nonetheless, if you’ll find a keen captain and a transparent day, that is a few of the best snorkeling within the Decrease 48.
Enter the underwater world of Elbow Reef
Elbow Reef is a sequence of spur and groove coral formations positioned about 6 nautical miles southeast of Key Largo. The crooked reef has been the bane of many a ship, together with the Metropolis of Washington, which ran aground and sank right here in 1917. The 325ft-long underwater damage (surrounded by a circle of particles) sits in comparatively shallow water at round 25ft, and it serves as a resort and approach station for all types of sea life, from turtles to nurse sharks, making this one of many Key’s most snorkel-friendly shipwrecks.
Spot the snappers at Snapper Ledge
Most of the websites described listed here are good for each snorkeling and diving, and the shallow reef at Snapper Ledge is not any exception, with coral from 15ft to 25ft. Get within the water right here and also you’ll see how the ledge earned its title – there are clouds of Yellowtail Snapper right here, coruscating by means of the currents like a lemon-hued twister. Even be looking out for large boulder mind coral, nurse sharks, and moray eels, amongst different spectacular marine life. The reef is about 7 nautical miles south of Key Largo.
