Hi-
Where are the best snorkeling spots in the U.S? (not counting Hawaii).
Thanks!
Linda

The Florida Keys, of course

Catalina Island off of Southern California

USVI

They moved the USVI? When? I missed it!

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a territory of the United States and therefore an acceptable answer to Linda's question.

I guess we can add Guam and Puerto Rico to the list as well then....

The Florida Keys.

Does Guam have good snorkeling ?

Molokini

Catalina Island has great snorkeling but you have to be careful of the season - late summer to fall has the best combination of water temperature and visibility. And even then it can still be quite cold in the high 60's. In the spring, plankton blooms can obscure the visibility.

Molokini is in Hawaii...very crowded. Cattle boat loads of people snorkel there.

I realize USVI are "ours" but are in the Caribbean and not the contiguous US. The poster was asking about snorkeling in the US.

To those who posted the Keys, what were your favorite places in the Keys to snorkel?

Key Largo's John Pennecamp State Park is the best snorkeling in the Keys.

I agree. Key Largo. John Pennekamp Park .It was great . Search the web and visit their site for more in. You'll love it. We went last June. Unbelievable!

Guam's snorkeling isn't that good, but the diving is very good. Most of the good snorkeling spots are only accessible by boat. Visibility is always outstanding, 100'+

Lisa and Jersey, are there any spots you'd recommend in the Marathon area and in Key West? We're doing a week in Largo, week at some small key by Marathon and a week in KW. Thanks.

In Key West go to Fort Zack for snorkeling off the beach or take the boat, Floridays (they dock at the Hyatt), for a trip to the reef.

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Anybody who says Guam doesn't have good snorkeling is just plain wrong. I have spent the last year snorkeling here in at least 10 spots, with many more to find. Try Gun Beach. World class hard corals and friendly fish, with a beach bar right at the entrance. This is a 10 out of 10. Piti is also an awesome place to snorkel. You could go for months and still not see all of it. I am going there today and will enjoy the restrooms and outdoor freshwater shower to clean up afterwords! I have seen sea life as varied as nudibranchs to pipefish, octopuses, many different crabs, slingjaw wrasses having their jaws cleaned at a cleaning station, lionfish, giant anemonies with 50 clownfish, many different Eels. I could go on forever. Fish from 4 feet long to 1/5th of an inch. You just have to know where to look and go slow. As always it is extremely important that one must be mindful of tides, current and weather conditions. People get swept away every year. If the surf is up, stay out of the water. Also stay inside the reef area. The edge of the reef is the dangerous part. Carry flotation at all times.

Thank you for that up to date info. Please note that the thread died almost ten years ago. Editors: Please close ancient threads from further comments!