Cold in Ohio - Florida snorkeling suggestions?

[buckeyebee]

I first discovered the underwater world snorkeling four years ago off the coast of Florida and instantly fell in love with it. Ohio is a long ways warm water, reefs, and colorful fish in the wintertime and they usually only get about one opportunity per year, typically in February. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Grand Cayman last winter, I was looking extremely forward to learning to dive there, and was thoroughly disappointed when two doctors strongly recommended that I not do it with a health limitation. So, on with snorkeling....

We are planning a trip to the Florida Keys sometime in February. We've been to Marathon Key a couple of times when I was there the best snorkeling experience was that I think it's called Looue Key, south of Marathon on the Atlantic side.

Anyone have recommendations for snorkeling locations in Florida?

Thanks, in advance, for the advice!

 

[Raad]

Looe Key is really nice shallow dive site and probably a good snorkel site lots of grouper, rays, nurse sharks, and cuda's. The local dive shop often cancels trips due to wind so call ahead and have a back up plan.

You may want to catch a boat out of Key west and head for the dry tortugas, have not been there but heard the snorkling was pretty good.

However, the best snorkling in Florida in not in the Keys. In the winter the Manatee's come up the Crystal river north of Tampa. On a good day you can be swimming with 15-20 huge Manatee's. Also the Rainbow river a good choice for snorkling they boat you up the river and drift back to the dock. Lots of gar, bass, and turtles. You can due both in a day.

Also if your certified you can go diving in aquarium at epcot center.

Just some ideas

 

[H2Andy]

second Raad on the manatee snorkeling in Crystal River ... and this is the right time of the year for it too

 

[buckeyebee]

Thanks, very much, for the helpful information!

 

[fisheyeview]

Key Largo has some great snorkling sites. There are quite a few operations in Key Largo that do daily snorkling trips.

But the manatees are great.

 

[idivetrain]

I have always enjoyed Penekamp in Key Largo. Loads of fish to see!!!

 

[solensdotter]

You might want to repost this in the Florida Conch Divers Forum - that should get the locals involved!

Also, there is a lot of good information in the Keys Information sticky.