The Best Keys Snorkeling
The Middle Keys Snorkel Guide
The best keys snorkeling is actually not where most people think (it surprised us). While Key Largo and Key West are the most popular spots, by far and away the best snorkeling is to be found between these two keys.
There are a bunch of locations that are simply stunning, some of the best we have ever seen anywhere.
The health of the reefs at these locations is what made us realize the Florida Keys are still one of the best places to snorkel, even if it is not a great vacation destination (in our opinion). Read more about our overall experience snorkeling in the keys on our main page.
We call all of these wonderful snorkeling grounds between Key Largo and Key West the Middle Keys. We group them this way simply because these areas are less known, and are very good. It is a big area, and the accommodations and services are not fantastic in some of these areas. But so what, the snorkeling is wonderful.
Best Keys Snorkeling - Islamorada
Islamorada is actually on Upper Matecumbe Key. But everyone seems to refer to the area as Islamorada because of the town. We drove down to snorkel these spots from Key Largo.
There are several wonderful little patch reefs that are about halfway between the key and the outer barrier reef edge.
Snorkeling Cheeca Rocks
This is a perfect snorkeling location. The depths are fantastic and the area is packed with medium sized fish and wonderful corals.
Click here to read more and see many pictures and several videos from Cheeca Rocks.
Snorkeling Hen & Chickens
This is the second patch reef area that was wonderful. This site is remarkable for all of it's healthy hard corals and sponges and interesting underwater topography.
Click here for lots of pictures and more about what we saw at Hen & Chickens.
Snorkeling Alligator Reef Lighthouse
Farther out in bluer water is the amazing Alligator Reef Lighthouse. This is a drop dead phenomenal snorkeling spot. There is a tall lighthouse structure, and thousands upon thousands of fish congregate underneath it for all the shade it offers. It is a fairly shallow area that is a joy to explore.
There is also a second area that you should snorkel while at the lighthouse. It is a deeper canyon wall just east of the lighthouse. Very deep but full of big creatures!
Click here to learn more about snorkeling Alligator Reef, and see my rare encounter with a Hammerhead Shark.
Best Keys Snorkeling - Marathon
Marathon is actually on Vaca Key (Cow Key?). And there are several really nice inner patch reefs available to snorkel from Marathon, as well as an amazing barrier reef snorkel.
Snorkeling Coffins Patch
The Donut & The Stake
From Marathon you can get a boat ride out to snorkel the Coffins Patch area. We snorkeled two different spots in the Coffins Patch, and both were good. These locations are often combined in one boat trip.
The first was The Donut. This is a better diving than snorkeling spot because it is a little deep. But we still really enjoyed it for it's amazing profusion of sponges.
The second spot is called The Stake. This is a much better snorkeling spot, because it is less deep.
Click here for more pictures, videos and information for snorkeling Coffins Patch.
Snorkeling Sombrero Reef
You can't miss this. It is one of the pinnacle snorkeling spots in the keys. This wonderful spur-and-groove reef is full of interesting topography to explore and many fish and corals to see.
Click here to see lots of pictures and learn more about Sombrero Reef.
Snorkeling Bahia Honda State Park
Just south of Marathon is this fantastic park with mediocre beach snorkeling that is worth it nonetheless.
Click here to see more pictures and learn about Snorkeling Bahia Honda.
Best Keys Snorkeling - Big Pine Key
Pretty much the snorkeling that everyone does from the Big Pine Key area is the amazing Looe Key Reef. (You now can take a long catamaran boat trip from Key West to snorkel Looe Key.)
Snorkeling Looe Key Reef
Looe Key Reef is yet another not-to-be missed Florida Keys snorkeling spot. But this spot is not for the faint of heart. It is a bit deep, and is right on the edge of the barrier reef. The fresh flows of ocean water attract large creatures here, which is why divers love the area. Giant Groupers and sharks are not uncommon sights here.
Click here to learn more about snorkeling Looe Key Reef and see lots of pictures.
There are many more best keys snorkeling spots in the Middle Keys snorkeling area that are great.
What have you snorkeled? Share your stories here about snorkeling from Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine or any of the other keys between Key Largo and Key West.
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