Is there good snorkeling in Key Largo?
Does Key Largo have good Snorkeling? YES, Key Largo has amazing snorkeling! In fact, it has the USA’s first underwater sea park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The waters of Key Largo also make up a portion of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Answer: Key West has the best snorkeling of the Florida Keys. While all of the Florida Keys offer incredible underwater adventures, Key West stands out as the ultimate snorkeling destination thanks to its easy access to the Florida Keys Reef Tract, the third-largest living coral barrier reef in the world.While Key Largo and Key West are the most popular spots, by far the best snorkeling is to be found between these two keys. There are a bunch of lesser known snorkel locations that are wonderful. They are located in the waters off Islamorada (Matecumbe Key), Marathon (Vaca Key), and Big Pine Key.Snorkeling in Key Largo is world class because the waters are protected by both John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Famous snorkeling sites include the Christ of the Abyss Statue and Molasses Reef.The only Key Largo snorkeling from shore is at either of the two designated beaches in Pennekamp Park. The beaches access an enclosed bay that has a sea grass bottom and is surrounded by mangroves.If you’re interested in exploring the natural beauty of the area, plan to spend at least three to four days in Key Largo. This will give you enough time to visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, take a sunset cruise, and explore the Everglades.
Can you snorkel on your own in Key Largo?
We encourage you to explore the park, but we generally recommend you take a snorkel tour with a company outside the park. The only Key Largo snorkeling from shore is at either of the two designated beaches in Pennekamp Park. The beaches access an enclosed bay that has a sea grass bottom and is surrounded by mangroves. Key Largo is known for its marine life and is often referred to as the ‘Diving Capital of the World.Key Largo’s incredibly clear water and world-famous reefs make for fantastic snorkeling any time of the day. That said, as with most diving, sunlight penetrates the deepest when it is directly overhead, typically at or just after noon.Explore the underwater world of the Florida Keys with a family snorkeling adventure. A perfect place to snorkel in the Keys is off the coast of Key Largo at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the United States.The waters off Key Largo are known for stands of elkhorn and large mounds of star and brain corals. These reefs have served as an example of marine protected areas for decades.
Is snorkeling better in Key West or Key Largo?
Best Key for Snorkelers & Scuba Divers: Key Largo However, I have found the snorkeling and scuba diving to be much better in Key Largo. While there are certainly places to snorkel and scuba dive in Key West, they are much less impressive than the waters of Key Largo (in my opinion)! Florida Keys Snorkeling Dry Tortugas National Park is the best available from Key West, and it is pretty darn good! It is actually an entire day of fun, and well worth the trip and expense.Bahia Honda State Park offers some of the best shore-accessible snorkeling in the Keys. The shallow waters near the old Bahia Honda Bridge are home to various fish species and occasional sightings of nurse sharks and lobsters. It’s one of the best snorkeling beaches in Florida for wading in.Bahia Honda rivals John Pennekamp as the Keys’ most outstanding state park. Granted, the 524-acre park, which includes the entire Bahia Honda Key, can’t match John Pennekamp’s coral reefs, but its beaches are without challenge, the overwhelming choice as the best in the Keys.
What is the best month for snorkeling in the Florida Keys?
Off-Season: The Summer Adventure (June to August) For true water lovers, this can be the best time of the year. The ocean is incredibly warm—think bathwater temperatures—and the underwater visibility for diving and snorkeling is often at its absolute best. May to October: Warmest water, best visibility, lively reefs. November to April: Cooler temps, often windier, but fewer crowds.
What is the best month to go to Key Largo?
The best time to visit Key Largo is between December and March. During this time, you will find dry weather and temperatures that aren’t too hot, but are still warm enough for the beach and other outdoor activities. During the holiday season, Key Largo hosts fun celebrations like a holiday boat parade. Seawater temperature Key Largo January and February Water temperature is around 70-75F. Full 3mm wetsuits required for SCUBA diving, Maybe a hood on the colder days. Boat trips in the afternoon are more popular as the air temperatures have usually warmed up by midday.
What is the prettiest beach in Key Largo?
Far Beach – perfect for a quiet meditation. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has a $5 entrance fee but once you’re in, you can enjoy two of Key Largo’s best and most well-protected beaches. It also offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling excursions to nearby reefs. A perfect place to snorkel in the Keys is off the coast of Key Largo at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the United States. Located at the park is Christ of the Deep, a nine-foot-tall, 4,000 pound statue that’s submerged in 25 feet of water.The only Key Largo snorkeling from shore is at either of the two designated beaches in Pennekamp Park. The beaches access an enclosed bay that has a sea grass bottom and is surrounded by mangroves.Molasses Reef The reef’s abundance of marine life and relative ease of access make it one of the most popular dive and snorkel locations in the Keys. Sea Dwellers is one of several dive shops that bring snorkelers and scuba divers to Molasses Reef from Key Largo.