Lodging advice for snorkeling in the Keys

by Pat and Stacey
(Baltimore, Maryland)

Thanks so much for info about snorkeling in the Florida Keys... a wealth of really good info that we hope to put to use. We've been to Saint John, USVI a couple times and absolutely love it since there are so many great snorkels from beaches on practically all shores-- and it's a relatively small island. So many great spots concentrated in a small area. Have also done a few sail and
snorkel tours from there to nearby spots near each end of the island, and a "booze cruise" that went to some popular but fairly nice snorkel spots in BVI. Like you, we're more the peace and quiet types, and not party animals! Have you been to Saint John? It sounds right up your alley-- so much more quiet and natural from more touristy Saint Thomas.

We're looking to go down to the Keys right around the turn of the New Year, and hoping it's still warm enough for comfortable snorkeling... have read differing opinions. We don't exactly have wet suit bodies-- not big, fat slobs, but not Baywatch material either! Any further insight you have to offer about the Keys would be welcome. Right now we're leaning toward around a week from Dec. 29th - Jan. 4th or 5th, and are looking to figure out where to stay when. Never been to the Keys, so we figure a couple nights in Key West, plus a night we're reserving prior to our return flight home to Maryland from Fort Lauderdale. The time in between is what would be good to strategically plan to maximize snorkeling opportunities.

We'll have three or four nights on either side of our trip to Key West, and are looking for lodging recommendations for mid-Keys and Key Largo/upper Keys. We'd like to find decent, clear, comfortable places convenient to good snorkeling opportunities, whether at beaches or offshore by boat. Any advice available would be appreciated!

Pat and Stacey