Key West in Feb: snorkle or not to snorkle......Please advise.
 

Hello,
I was hoping to find out ifwe will be able to snorkle in Key West during the first week of Feb'06.

We have to go to Miami and I was hoping to drive down to Key West to the beach...

Are there a lot of snorkling places in Key West and would it be nice and warm enough to do it in Feb....

Thank you for your feedback!

You'll want to wear a wet suit as the water temp will only be about 75 degrees. A shorty at the very minimum.

Throughout the Florida Keys there is very little snorkeling from the beach. The reefs are 5-6 miles offshore, so the only meaningful snorkeling is via boat tour. You can boat tour from the upper Keys like Key Largo. Not necessary to go all the way to Key West. One place with warm water is a getaway to St.Thomas in the USVI. STT is a 2 1/2 hour flt. from MIA. Or Cayman Islands, about 1 1/2 hours from MIA.

Looe Key is THE BEST! I took the scuba ferry from Big Pine Island to Looe Key. I think most boats leave from there. And definitely get a wet suit. WITH legs, IMO. You will still be cold but not quite as cold. The boats don't stay too long anyway so it would make for a nice trip (especially if you are a polar bear). Personally, it's way too cold for me but I'm from Florida and we don't cotton to cold. Maybe you will do better than me. Another snorkle trip that is nice is the area around the Dry Tortugas if you decide to make the boat or seaplane trip from Key West.

First, there is no real "beach" in Key West...yes, there is Smathers and Fort Taylor, but they are not "beaches" as people think of them.

Second, you can snorkel at Fort Taylor, and you may get lucky and see some sealife, but don't count on it. Also, the water at Fort Taylor is very choppy and visibility will be poor.

Third, the water will be chilly.

Your best bet from Miami is to drive down to Pennekamp in Key Largo and take a trip from there. You will be able to go to a reef and see exactly what you are looking for.

We had a great time snorkeling when we were in Cozumel several years ago, walk right in the water and snorkel right off the beach, clear, calm waters. Would love to go back some day!