I would concur that snorkeling with the manatees is an absolutely "must do" experience. I cannot imagine a better way to introduce your friend to the wonders of the marine world. It is something most people will never forget. My "go to" operator for the manatees for 15 years is Bird's underwater, a dive shop run by experienced cave divers, with a steady crew that has been with them forever and a real love for the manatees. Cannot recommend them highly enough. The springs where the manatees congegrate are clear (one in particular is swimming-pool clear) even if the surrounding river is not so much. It is not a trip for scenery but for interaction with the animals. That being said, the manatees congegrate most during cold weather and November might be a little early. If you call Birds they will be straight about how the action is and what to expect. As for the temperature, Birds has wet suits that are fine. We have been in the water over two hours before getting chilled. Snorkeling the rainbow river would also be a good choice, but not nearly as amazing as the manatee experience. This is your first time so I DEFINITELY recommend you go with a professional operation. There are a lot of regulations regarding swimming with manatees, which are very strictly protected, and you risk accidentally being ticketed for "harassment" of you go on your own without prior experience. An operator is best and, honestly, I have had my best experiences by far with Birds as opposed to trying to go it alone. They are in the water every day and know where the best action is.
If you are in Key West, there are basically two excellent choices. First, and the easiest, is to drive 25 miles Big Pine Key, and get a snorkel boat to Looe Key sanctuary. That is one of the best reefs in all of the Keys. It is a structure where the reef comes up and sections are separated by deeper areas of sand. The reef tops, where the best colors and fish are anyway, are about 13-18 feet, a perfect depth for snorkelers, even novice ones. You need to check conditions but the water is usually very clear unless the wind has been blowing hard. The operators will know, and you can always post here right before you come to check on conditions. The second choice is to get a day boat to the Dry Tortugas, where there is phenomenal snorkeling around Fort Jefferson.
If you are driving down from Orlando, the snorkelling in Key Largo (John Pennekamp Park) is equal to or maybe even better than Looe Key. Also, Pennekamp has excellent reef sites that can be pretty protected even if the best reefs at the edge of the gulf stream are choppy. I could not tell if you are driving, though. If you are, a half day stop at Pennekamp would be well worthwhile. There are many shops that run snorkel trips out to the reefs.
For either manatees and the Keys reefs, you have to take a boat trip. I can tell you, for sure, that there is little of interest around Tampa as far as shore diving goes. The same is true of the Keys. Shore diving in the keys is over grass or sand flats with the occasional rock, and fish life is sparse. The reefs are a wonderland by comparison. You are going to be where the very best reef snorkeling in the U.S. is located. Don't be cheap to save the $40 or so for a boat trip, and by doing that miss out on the best things you can see.
I love our Fort Lauderdale beach dives, but they are not at the same level as Pennekamp and Looe Key.
---------- Post Merged at 02:39 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:30 PM ----------
Oops, just re read your post which indicates some of your friends have little experience snorkeling or can't swim. I wouldn't be overly concerned if conditions are calm. Most operators can/do supply floatation vests which will keep them safely afloat and still able to enjoy the snorkeling even out on the reefs. In crystal river for the manatees, the wetsuits are bouyant enough to float them, but they could get a vest there as well. No matter where they go, they should rent a floatation vest, even for a beach snorkel, if they truly cannot swim.
