Key West Travel Forum

My husband and I will be traveling to the Keys next week. WE are bringing our own snorkel gear and would like to know what areas can we reach on our own. We plan to do a couple of boat snorkel tours, but we really like to get out and explore on our own. Are there easy places to reach, and can you name a few.
Thanks
Helene

I have only been there a couple of times, but there are public park places all up and down the keys. I was scuba diving not snorkeling, but key largo on the east side of the island was the best stuff we saw on our trip.

Bahia Honda. It's a state park near mile maker 35. There are two beaches - the beautiful Atlantic ocean side or the gulf side (the Atlantic side being my favorite.) I have never snorkeled there, but swim there whenever I'm in the Keys (which is not as often as it used to be.) I understand that the snorkeling is quite good on the gulf side.

Have fun... Kelly Anne

I remember going out in a boat at John Pennekampf. Bahia Honda is also a great choice. Since you will have many good sites, you would do well to make enquiries en-route to Key West. There are many dive shops, boat rental places state parks and visitor centers on way to Key west and free maps are freely available.

Enjoy

I've snorkeled a lot of the Keys and the best place I have been to, that doesn't require a boat, is Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West. There is a submerged rock pile, parallel to the shore with coral and loads of fish and lobster. The trick is finding it. If you stand on the beach looking seaward you'll see three rock piles above the waterline. Next to that middle rock pile is a post with a green daymark on it. Swim out there (not far at all) and go just past the post. You'll see the submerged rocks. Swim to the outside of the submerged rocks and turn right. Follow the rocks parallel to the beach, staying on the seaward side. The pile will then make a left (seaward) turn. Follow that. The rocks will begin to get closer to the surface and all of a sudden you'll be surrounded by thousands of pretty little fishies.

One of the top spots for snorkeling or scuba diving in the Florida Keys is Looe Key located around Big Pine Key.

The best areas will require a boat ride to get to.(pennekamp, looe key, Bahia Honda) There are some good areas off the road where you can stop however. The bridge that goes over to long key (Indian Key Channel # 5) has some good rockpiles and underwater habitat if the vis is good.Use a dive flag and look out for boats! I also second the tip on Fort Taylor in Key West

Don't forget the Dry Tortugas! My fav!