snorkeling around Miami and the Keys
 

Hi,

What are the best places for snorkeling around Miami and the Keys. We'll be in the area for 5 days and would like to try one or two places for snorkeling.

Thanks,

I think you are going to have to get to the Keys for snorkeling - John Pennecamp Park? maybe an hour or two into the Keys. Not sure you can snorkle near Miam; well of course you could put on a mask and fins but I don't think you'll see any pretty fishies!

We did some fun snorkeling around Key West - hired a boat to take us out and saw quite a bit - even a big nurse shark.

Around Miami and the Keys, there is virtually no snorkeling from the shore. The (very nice reefs) are 5-6 miles offshore, so you'd take a boat tour.

You can snorkel from shore at Bahia Honda State Park in the keys. Its okay. But you will see much more pretty fish if you take a boat tour to the reefs 5-6 miles off shore at either John Pennekamp or to Looe Key from Bahia Honda. Worth it in my opinion, so have fun!

You may want to check into the Dry Tortugas; we didn't get a chance to do it, but it's a National Park about 70 miles from Key West - it looked pretty cool.

Snorkeling in the keys is only fair. One of the better spots is Sombrero Light, a self operating signal beacon about two miles out from Seven Mile Bridge (just to the north/east of Bahia Honda State Park. Tour boats go out or you can rent your own. Snorkeling aside, it is a nice ride.
Another option from Key West is at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortuga National Park.
Ask a guide. It is a little way out but there is some interesting fish and coral there. It is a bit of a swim so you'll want a 'buddy' to swim out with you.

We took the day trip catamaran from Key West to the Dry Tortugas. You pay one fee which covers the 2.5 hour boat ride, lunch and soft drinks/water. You have a couple hours to explore Fort Jefferson and the **very** small beach. You can snorkel there - the day we went there were jellyfish so we didn't spend much time in the water.

If you are in Miami for only 5 days, I do not recommend going to the Dry Tortugas. Key West is a 4 hour drive from Miami, the catamaran is then an additional 2.5 hours one-way open water boat ride to the Dry Tortugas. This is NOT an easy day trip from Miami!!

From Miami the closest snorkeling is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.