Snorkeling and Fun on Treasure Island, Florida

Treasure Island, Florida, has everything a snorkeler could want: water that rarely drops below 70 degree, schools of grouper, red fish, and trout just about 20 feet from the shore, and pods of dolphins and manatee are routinely seen in the near by waters. Besides the snorkel and the mask, the only other piece of equipment you need is your swim suit, what better sport to enjoy a great holiday or just to pass the time.

A lot of people think, for some reason, you have to bring your own equipment, because there is only cheap tourist equipment available for purchase. This can't be further from the truth.All the shops on the beach sell everything you need for $5-20. In addition, many of the charter boats will be happy to give you all the equipment you need to go snorkeling, and most will allow you to keep them as a souvenir. There are a plethora of shops on the main drag that sell the top notch equipment of all sea sport, snorkeling included.

Treasure Island is right at the mouth of Tampa bay and has just one of those waterways where the warm Gulf encounters the cool Tampa Bay water. This creates an unique ecosystem that attracts 100's of sea going creatures multiple species of dolphins, fish and crustaceans. This also the area where you will come face to face with those gentle giants, the manatees. They spend much of their time in this water munching on the abundant vegetation growing on the bottom and playing. Snorkeling with these playful mammals is an exhilarating experience that is hard to describe.

But why stay close to the land and the normal, why not go snorkel around an actual Fort or a Spanish galleon. Scuba guys aren't the only ones that get to play in those things, snorkelers do to just off of Treasure Island. There are a number of old Civil War and Spanish ships that ran aground because of storms, pirates, or just bad navigating. There are also submerged Spanish forts out there. Many of the charter snorkeling boats will go out to these, or you can rent a boat and go out thee yourself.

Treasure Island and the "gold" coast of Florida is a spectacular place for water sports of all kind. There is everything you could ever want in a vacation spot,and if snorkeling is your game-there's no place you'd rather be. It's as close you can get to the Caribbean, and the best thing going in the state. So grab your masks and tubes, and lets go snorkeling. See you in there.