looking for good snorkeling sites in Florida

[luvflorida]

I am really hooked on snorkeling and I was wondering if anyone out there might know of a few good places in Florida where the snorkeling is really good. My family and I drove down through the Keys last April and spent five days in Key West. On one of the days, we took a cattamaran boat trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, which is a small island about 70 miles off Key West. The white sandy beach was absolutely gorgeous and the snorkeling was fantastic.

We would like to vacation on or near a beach where we would be able to wade into the water and snorkel not far from shore. I'm not crazy about taking a boat out to the middle of the ocean and snorkeling from there. I prefer to be closer to shore. I guess I just feel safer that way! Does such a place exist outside of the Keys? Thanks so much for any information.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm not sure of a specific place, but my sister and her family went snorkeling a few years somewhere down in Miami. They said it was so much better than further north.

 

[tater bug]

Does it have to be salt water?

 

[luvflorida]

I was thinking salt water, but I'd be interested in other places also. Thanks.

 

[Cindy B]

Discovery Cove.. yes you can snorkel, do a bird aviary, free lunch, free rentals, free parking, free equipment, and seven day free pass to Sea World.

Plus you get to swim with a dolphin.. you can't beat that!

 

[tater bug]

Rainbow River in Ocala is spring fed and gorgeous (by all accounts, I've never been). Also, the Itchetucknee River is great for tubing/snorkeling. It's also spring fed and absolutely beautiful. Natural Florida at its best!

 

[luvflorida]

Cindy B

Thanks- we've been to Discovery Cove, and yes, it was fantastic!