Come with me and dive into Paradise, uncovering the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys. Experience the wonders of the sea for yourself by taking a snorkeling trip along the coastline of the Florida Keys coastline. Snorkeling tours are one of the activities that Jim and I consider to be essential on any visit to the Florida Keys.
Snorkeling excursions provide an opportunity to encounter a diverse array of marine life within the coral reefs. From vibrant tropical fish and graceful sea turtles to majestic rays and even sharks, observing these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat is a remarkable and unparalleled experience.
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Snorkeling in the Florida Keys
Stretching approximately 350 miles from St. Lucie Inlet to the Dry Tortugas, the Florida reef system is the only coral reef system in the Continental United States. The Florida National Marine Sanctuary, which begins south of Miami to the Dry Tortugas (excluding Dry Tortugas National Park), protects the only coral barrier reef in North America. In essence, once you set foot in the waters of the Florida Keys, you are in the Marine Sanctuary.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary encompasses a diverse community of underwater habitats. These range from the only coral barrier reef in the continental US to the largest seagrass community in the Northern Hemisphere. The sanctuary is home to more than 6,000 marine species, as well as underwater historical and cultural resources. The diverse sea life, coupled with amazing wrecks, and historical and cultural resources, such as Christ of the Abyss, are what draw thousands of visitors, dive and snorkel enthusiasts, fishermen, and boaters to the Keys every year.
How to Choose Where to Go Snorkeling in the Florida Keys?
The Keys are divided into 5 regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, the Lower Keys, and Key West. I’ll break down what you can expect to find for top snorkeling spots in each of these five areas in the Florida Keys.
Key Largo
Key Largo is referred to as the Dive Capital of the World. Here you’ll find some of the most amazing snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. John Pennekamp is home to Christ of the Abyss.
There are loads of snorkeling tours that leave out of Key Largo. Many of these tours stop at Christ of the Abyss, where you can dive down to the statue (provided your Dive Master approves that). The last trip we took was fantastic, and it is always a rush to see such an amazing sight on the seafloor!
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