Key West Snorkeling

posted by admin on Nov 7

Rock Lobsters

Been busy and have kind of been neglecting this website. Was out this week and the waters have definitely cooled off. If you plan on snorkeling for a long time you should really look into a wetsuit of some sort. You can get away without it for a while but most likely if you stay in for a bit you will want it. The water was been clear off of Key West, not crystal clear but clear enough so its enjoyable to be out. This past week the temperature drop seem to have pushed dozens of lobsters into very shallow water. We caught a bunch this past week and had to pass on dozens more because they were a little undersized.

Its been pretty breezy the past week so we just stuck to more sheltered inshore waters for diving but hopefully the wind will die by this weekend and we will be able to get out to the reef.

posted by admin on Apr 19

Mutton Snapper

The water is getting warm and clear these past few weeks. Water temperatures have been 78-81 degrees on the reef.  Wetsuits are becoming unnecessary for short trips in the water. We have been having some fantastic visibility some days up to 100 feet on the reef. The vis on the gulf side has been good for the gulf side.  Flats seas and and air temperature in the 80s have made for some fantastic snorkeling trips recently.

posted by admin on Nov 7

Tons of life hanging out in the Sea Grass

Well, temperatures are dropping in Key West. Winter time is here but it doesn’t mean the snorkeling ends.  Depending on the weather  and your tolerance to cold, you may want to rent or use a wetsuit.  Of course cold here is relative and it may be really warm compared to where you are from. Sometimes the wind blows more in winter and sometimes not, but if it is very windy most experienced snorkel operators will know where to take you.  The sheltered areas of Casa Marina and Contrell Key will be popular when the wind blows.

When you are in the water remember to check out the grass as well as coral. The sea grass in Key West can actually be loaded with life.

posted by admin on Aug 30

Summer brings bath-like water temperatures in the mid to high eighties, even warmer in the inshore waters in front of Key West.  These Key West snorkeling pictures were taken during the last days of August.

In general in summertime, the bigger fish on the reef head out to deeper cooler waters.  The fish you can count on for always being there in droves are mangrove snappers, and all kinds of colorful ornamental fish.  Here you can see colorful yellow grunts and mangrove snappers, and the ever-present angel fish.

Note the sand dollar, too.  These beautiful specimens are sand-burrowing urchins who should be left alone, no matter how tempting a souvenir they make.

The triggerfish is very curious, but also very careful.  As you can see, he’s keeping an eye on the photographer but trying to camoflouge himself behind a rock.  We call him a Jersey-style triggerfish because he’s not like the gray triggerfish usually seen out on the reef in Key West.  He’s more colorful and a bit smaller.

posted by admin on Jun 14

Well the gulf side of Key West has been crystal clear and great for snorkeling. We have seen turtles, numerous types of fish, a curious nurse shark and many types of live coral. Water temperature has been in the high 80′s so you can forget about wearing a wetsuit.  Honestly I will let the photos of our trip this week do the talking.

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posted by admin on Mar 28

Black grouper and an angelfish in the back ground

Well I guess our stretch of unusually cold winter weather is over, temperatures are up to 75 and the sun is starting to get hot ( so remember your sunscreen).  Thew water is still cold enough to warrant a shorty wetsuit if you are going to be in the water any length of time. Water visibility has been variable, but has greatly improved this last week with 35-40 feet of visibility at Eastern Dry Rocks, Rock Key, and Sand Key light house.