St Pete/Clearwater Florida Area

[blackdog1]

Hello All,

Vacationing mid April at North Redington Beach, FL and looking for any input for local snorkeling in the area. We are a group of 8 (4 adults and 4 children aged 6 -9 yoa)...just getting the kids into snorkling. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated?

I have read about the Crystal Springs Manatee snorkeling which says it is about 70 miles north of Tampa but really not sure what travel time (with traffic, etc...would be like from North Redington Beach area and it sounds like early morning trip is best time to see manatee's?

Thanks Again!

 

[alansalton]

at North Redington Beach?

 

[KiplingBrock]

Crystal River is amazing! Snorkeling in St Pete and Clearwater is terrible. You won't see anything from the beach because the vis is around 1 foot. Don't waste money going on the charter boats that take you out. The vis is at best 3 feet and the fish are all brown and black.
Manatees are at crystal river during the winter. Even if the manatees are not there its still really cool. The water at three sisters spring has 100 foot vis and is great. Wear a wetsuit, the water is a cool 72 degrees year round.

 

[chefmike]

The silver glen spring is another great snorkelling place. It is a haul from tampa/st.pete... it is more ocala way. That is where the good snorkelling is, in the springs and rivers. the gulf is not ideal. Fun to play in though.

 

[Reef]

Welcome to Florida State Parks

It's about a 90 minute drive.

The park is beautiful the kids, and adults would enjoy it.

Check with Manatee Central before heading to Crystal River like the others mentioned. This is a trip that is a must do, and the kids would never forget it.

Manatee tours, manatee swim, manatee dive, manatee snorkeling at Crystal Lodge Dive Center in Crystal River Florida