snowrooster

We will be in Naples, FL a bit this summer and would like to take our kids snorkeling (they are 8 & 10 years old). We aren't expecting anything great, we'd just like to see how comfortable they are plopped in the ocean w/snorkel gear (they swim well but I think snorkeling in the ocean is a different experience entirely). If we have to drive an hour or two, that is fine. A snorkeling catamaran type outing would be ideal. We would like to take them to St John so this would serve as a test run.

So, is there anywhere is South Florida within a couple hours of Naples that you think we might find snorkeling outings?

Thank you!!

starrs

More than a couple of hours (three), but the best place to snorkel is at Key Largo at Pennekamp -
http://www.pennekamppark.com/

Another option is to snorkel with the manatees at Crystal River, but that's further
http://www.manateetoursusa.com/

I don't know of anything else in the gulf for snorkeling. You need coral to have good snorkeling - to see pretty fishies anyway

wtm003

I put my kids (10 & 7 at the time) in a snorkeling class at a scuba center before our trip to Hawaii. I think it really gave them extra confidence since they were comfortable with the equipment and fins before getting in the ocean. They couldn't snorkel enough on that trip.

I can't recommend a great place for snorkeling in Florida but look forward to the replies.

starrs

I think very good practice is wearing all the gear in the pool and have them go under (and then dive) to get toys/objects off the bottom of the pool. That way they get familiar with the mouthpiece, breathing through the snorkel, clearing the snorkel by blowing after going underwater, etc. And, it's all in non-salt water.

Then, when they get to the ocean they know all that stuff and just do it in saltwater. IMO new snorkelers who learn in the ocean have the most problem with the saltwater getting in their mouth and eyes. If you know the equipment works (and the mouthpiece and mask fits) and know how to use it, using it in the ocean is easy-peasy.

bk123

When I lived in Naples, we went to Pennekamp for snorkeling, as Starrs suggests...

cookbound

The beaches in Naples are so beautiful and the water pretty clear, not a whole lot to see off the beach, but honestly, St John is so calm and the national park to snorkel is accessed off the beach, so it shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

If it were me, I would just let them go right off the beach and that will give them the feel of the waves. Unless you were chartering a boat in St. John and snorkeling off the boat, but still the waters in the Virgin Islands are very calm.

Enjoy! I love both of those areas!

snowrooster

Thanks, all! Maybe we will consider going to Key Largo for a night. We plan to rent gear (since decent snorkel gear for the family isn't in our budget) so that makes it hard to practice at home as well. I found a couple of snorkel trips to sunken boats in Miami, but it looks like Key Largo isn't that much more of a drive.