Snorkel Key WestSo, you want to snorkel Key West? Well, based on all the advertising for snorkel boat tours in Key West, and all the amazing things you can read about how beautiful the reefs are off Key West, you would think it must be pretty good.
There are couple exceptions to this that we mention below, but you have to take long ferry rides away from Key West.
It is too bad to, because Key West is so much nicer to stay in than the other Keys. There is good food and service and some very beautiful architecture (Old Town Key West is filled with old victorian style homes). It is a great place to walk around.
And if you like a party scene (we don't), you have to do the Duvall Crawl. The further down Duvall Street you walk towards the cruise ship docks, the more touristy the shops get and the more bars start to appear. We prefer the other end of Duvall for it's art studios (instead of T-Shirt shops).
Snorkel Dry Tortugas National Park From Key WestBut if you want to snorkel Key West, the only thing we can recommend from here is to spend the money and take the long ferry ride out to Dry Tortugas National Park.
The snorkeling at the park is not exceptional, but it is decent and the trip is a great experience. Click here for tons more pictures and details about snorkeling Dry Tortugas National Park.
Snorkel Looe Key From Key WestVery new is the opportunity to snorkel Looe Key from Key West. The Sunny Days Catamaran company has a big new 65 foot catamaran taking snorkelers to Looe Key daily. We think this is a great addition for folks staying in Key West and wanting some good snorkeling. Although, it is a pretty long boat ride (1.5 to 2 hours long each way), and it is fairly expensive compared to taking a trip out to Looe Key from Big Pine Key. For that reason we only recommend it if you are in Key West and don't have access to a car.
You can search around and see pictures of the snorkeling in Key West. And you will see what we mean. Here are some of Sand Key. So, if you have the opportunity to snorkel further up the Keys, then our recommendation is (and that of a friend of ours who has been a snorkel boat captain in the Keys for years) don't waste your time or money trying to snorkel Key West. 
Now, if you can't snorkel anywhere but Key West, then by all means, get in the water! It always feels great and you are going to see some neat stuff anyways. The best spot to snorkel Key West is supposed to be Sand Key Lighthouse. Ask around and you can find a company that will take you to snorkel Sand Key. It is located about 8 miles Northwest of Key West. But you will also find companies that take you to Eastern Dry Rocks (which is East of Sand Key), Western Dry Rocks, Key West Marine Park, and Cottrell Key.
Here is another snorkel Key West website. Return to the main page for Snorkeling Florida Keys
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