Snorkeling near Orlando? Or in Orlando?

[Aimeedyan]

I've been told there is great snorkeling in Central Florida but am having a heck of a time finding information online about it!

We want to do some snorkeling within a couple hours drive to Orlando, so Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater would also be an option -

Know anything about it? Have recommendations? THANKS!

 

[klfrech]

Last year I had the same trouble as you are experiencing. We ended up in Key Largo for a few days (mainly to swim with the dolphins - what an experience) and did some snorkeling there.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Last year I had the same trouble as you are experiencing. We ended up in Key Largo for a few days (mainly to swim with the dolphins - what an experience) and did some snorkeling there.

We had looked into that, too, but were trying to avoid being in the car so much for a short trip... I hear that's the best place to snorkel, though!

 

[kellymonaghan]

You can snorkel at Discovery Cove near SeaWorld in Orlando, but it's expensive.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I have done some snorkeling at Clearwater, St. Pete, Siesta Key and Venice. All of these were at the beach. There are no coral reefs in any of those places, and little real structure. But if you take it slow, you can see schooling fish (pompano, herring), searobins, stingrays, and other small species.

Once I was followed by a small fish because I was the largest bit of cover near the shore. No jokes, please.

I hear that the Crystal River is a great place to snorkel. In the winter, there are places that will take you out to snorkel with the manatees. Super clear water there.

Ted

 

[jeannej]

You won't be able to snorkle near WDW as it is land locked in the middle of the state. If you are willing to travel, go east to the Atlantic side. That is where the coral reefs are for snorkeling.

jeanne j

 

[Ted and Holly]

You won't be able to snorkle near WDW as it is land locked in the middle of the state. If you are willing to travel, go east to the Atlantic side. That is where the coral reefs are for snorkeling.

jeanne j

To snorkel at a real coral reef would be a bit more of a drive than I think the OP was looking for. If I were limiting my drive to two hours, I would go to the West side, personally. The surf is usually a bit too rough for me on the Atlantic side, between Ormand Beach and say, St. Lucie.

Ted