Key West snorkeling
 

Two friends going to Key West this summer. We would love to go snorkeling but we are both a little nervous. Any suggestion on places to go snorkeling if you don't have any experience? Thanks!

Since you're going to be in Key West, that rules out going to John Pennekamp State Park, which is at Key Largo. I would normally recommend Key largo because the reef there seems to be a better (more colorful, more fish) shape. But in Key West, there are numerous dive boats that will take you, and about 10 to 15 other people, out to the reef. Snorkeling isn't that tough. Do check on the weather conditions, first. If there are "swells" of 2 feet or more, I wouldn't go out. It'll be too choppy, and that can make for an unpleasant experience. Have fun.

We just returned from Key West. We were new to snorkeling. We went to Key West and snorkelled at the State park-Fort Zachary Taylor. Bring water shoes or you won't be able to walk on the beach or in the water. It is all broken coral pieces. Or you could wear your sandals into the water. The coral reef is really close and you can swim out to it. It was really fun and we saw lots of fish. It just gets a little rough when the tide changes. We liked snorkeling so much that we left Key West early to go to Key Largo(the key right below the mainland of Florida) to go snorkeling at the Pennekamp Coral reef State Park. Check out www.pennekamppark.com It was alot cleaner than Key West. There was a sunken spanish shipwreck in the water off of the beach. You could snorkel to it and see the fish around the cannons and anchor underwater. It was great!!Take an underwater disposible camera. There are also outdoor showers, a concession stand and boat rides to other coral reefs. Try it I think you will like it! We would have rather snorkeled at the other keys instead of Key West. <BR>

We just snorkled two weeks ago at Looe Key off Pine Key just north of Key West. There are a couple of ways to get there, but we took the boat out from Bahia Honda. It was a great trip and we say dolphins on the way out and back and the fish at the reef were amazing, including the sharks who paid us no mind at all. The visibility of the water was about 30 feet or more. The crew were very patient and helpful to people who have never snorkled or have little experience in the water.

In Key West, Floridays has a wonderful snorkel trip. They dock at the Hyatt. My husband and I went when neither of us had ever snorkeled and had a great time!