Snorkeling in KW

Hi,

Going to KW in March 2009. We would like to do snorkeling but we are traveling with our baby so it will not be possible to take a boat trip. Is there any hotel on the beach with a nice spot to do snorkeling?

Thanks!!!

Snorkeling in KW

Ft. Zach would be the only place for any hope of snorkling... One of you on the beach while the other enjoys the water then trade places. You could do the same thing on a snorkle excursion and the time in the water would be more richly enjoyed.

Snorkeling in KW

Hey Gchu,

While I can%26#39;t currently comment from the experience of snorkelling at Fort Zachary, it is to my knowledge the place for Key West itself and where I%26#39;ll be trying out this December, otherwise if you%26#39;ve got a car with you, a drive back up the Keys to Bahia Honda State Park wouldn%26#39;t go amiss...

Try http://www.bahiahondapark.com/

The site details snorkelling boat trips, but I found Logger Head Beach towards the old railway bridge OK for snorkelling + the sunsets are spectacular from the old bridge...

Also try http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/ for details including a good park map.

Just bear in mind if you do go, that there are some fairly strong currents off the south west beach...

I agree with Seabus. The reef is the way to go. Take turns in the water. It was really something. We were there in July. I survived the trip out to the reef ( I get very motion sick) Spent 10 minutes in the water and had to get out. The motion was just to much. Spent a hour with ice water on my head till we got back. The kids loved,loved, loved it. Does anyone have success with the motion sickness patches or pills. Gerry

Gerry -

a Benadryl the night before and a Bonine before the trip helps me most times, not all.

As an old Coastie, I%26#39;d say try taking along some ginger snaps and there%26#39;s a neat little wrist band you can purchase at most any drug store on the island that seems to work for many. Perhaps a combination of this and Bluewater%26#39;s advice might do the trick!

Go up to Bahia Honda and have a great day on the beach and snorkeling.

You could take the baby out on one of the snorkeling boats and take turns watching him/her. In July we haf our Grandson ( at that time he was four months old)in the keys and brought him out on the boat a few times. We had rented a boat for the two weeks we were down and did a lot of diving at Looe Key. You can buy a life jacket for babys that will keep them safe.

Just because you have a baby dosen%26#39;t mean you still can%26#39;t have fun!

I agree, go to Bahia Honda for the beach and snorkeling, but arrive a little late and stay until near the closing time and snorkel then too. Much smaller crowds and different sealife appears then.

The stone jetty at Calusa beach has a number of fish that congregate and the water is fairly shallow. Watch the timing of the tide and try to go near low tide as the water will be a bit shallower and the current not so strong. Beach shoes will come in handy here as the bottom is rocky pebbles and hard on bare feet.

If you go to the west end of loggerhead beach near the bridge, watch for the strong current. I didn%26#39;t see as much at Loggerhead beach as the others but I didn%26#39;t spend a lot of time there either.

Sandspur is the most crowded as it has nice sand out into the water, making it more comfortable for swimming. This is where I spent most of my time snorkeling. I saw quite a number of fish species and even a couple of lobsters. Watch for the stingrays if you go late. The crowds seem to keep them away but when the crowds go home you may get to see one.

There is a boat tour from the concessionaire that goes out to Looe Key. When we went they had a nice pontoon boat with quite a bit of room. The trip to the reef was a highlite of our trip and we%26#39;ll be sure to go again. There wouldn%26#39;t be a problem for one parent to stay on the boat with the young one while the other snorkeled. Talk the snorkeling one into trading places with you so you both can have a turn.

Thanks for the advise Bluewater and Seabus. I have to try to get it worked out somehow. Funny thing is I can go all day flats fishing without an issue at all but watching the spinning tea cup ride does me in. And Seabus thanks again for the Royal Red Shrimp info. Just awsome. Suprised I haven%26#39;t seen any on any menue. Anyone else? Gerry

I was out on the Fury morning snorkel trip last July and there was a couple with a baby who could not have been more than 1 year old. As one parent snorkeled the other held the baby, then switched off. Why do you consider it impossible to take yours along?

Pjk

I also agree with Seabus. Get out on the water if you want to snorkel. Ft. Zach has a rocky ocean bottom and you will need to be careful of stepping on coral or sharp rocks. Take a half day sail, take turns in the water, and look after the baby. This is done all the time. Danger Charters might be your best option, as they use smaller boats that are a little more family friendly. The bigger boats can really pack them in during peak season.