Snorkeling in Key West, Florida

Snorkeling is a major tourist activity in Key West, Florida, as the island sits practically on top of a bonanza of reefs and shipwrecks in shallow waters. Requiring snorkeling in Key West requires no special training beyond being able to swim, there are a number of things to keep in mind to help plan and execute your Key West snorkeling outings.First, buy your own snorkeling kit. While any of the boat-based snorkeling tours will provide you with snorkeling gear as part of the package, owning your own kit will allow you to independently pursue shore Key West snorkeling sites such as the one at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park or Key West Marine Park. Snorkeling kit prices often start at $30, making it a worthwhile investment for a Key West trip.

Before snorkeling making plans for the day or the next day, check the weather data from the Sand Key data-collection buoy, the nearest to Key West. Strong winds blowing toward shore usually mean higher surf and reduced visibility. If the data indicates steady winds of 10 knots, it is a bad day for shore snorkeling. If steady winds are above 15 knots, it is a bad day for snorkeling altogether.

Protect yourself and your Key West snorkeling fun by applying a thick coat of waterproof sunblock rated SPF 25 or higher to the back of your neck. Apply it to your shoulders as well if you are not wearing a T-shirt or shorty wetsuit. Snorkeling means your backside will take the brunt of the more intense sunshine in the Florida Keys. Also, wear socks if you do not have a strap-on fin and wet boot combination. The full-foot fins with the rubbery heel have a propensity to chafe, so if you snorkel frequently--and you probably will in a place like Key West--you will quickly wear off the skin on your heel. Protect your feet and wear socks from the outset if you are using these fins.
Finally, ask for a weight belt and four to ten pounds of weights if you are a strong swimmer and on a snorkeling boat tour. Key West snorkeling sites often have depths in the 20 to 30-foot range, and using weights will help you skin dive them. At the same time, the propulsive power of your fins will more than offset the added burden while swimming.

Sources: personal experience, floridastateparks.org/forttaylor/activities.cfm#37; weather.com/activities/recreation/boatandbeach/surf/articles/surfingarticle_one.html