Snorkeling - Florida Keys or Bahamas?
 

My DH and I decided we want to go snorkeling the week of Thanksgiving. We live in Palm Bay, Florida, so our main choices are to drive to the Keys or fly over to the Bahamas. I know the snorkeling in the Keys isn't all that great - is it better in the Bahamas?

Thoughts and opinions are welcome!

I haven't been to the Bahamas so I can't compare but I can give some insight on the Keys. The reef that protects the Keys lies 5 to 8 miles offshore. That is where the best snorkeling is, the colorful fish, coral, and sea fans. You have to take a boat out there to see them. Snorkeling from shore will not have the quantity or variety of fish, nor will it have the coral and seafans. Even so, I saw a lot of different kinds of fish and some lobsters snorkeling from shore at Bahia Honda.

Try a snorkeling trip off of Pine Key. We did that May 2008 and it was the best we had in the keys over the years. We saw 2 types of sharks, many many different kinds of fish, and healthy coral. Google for actual name of diving outfit, it is right on Hwy 1, on Pine Key. Sorry cant recall the name of it. Also, when in Key West , eat at KELLY'S -- its great food in an outdoor , shaded patio.