Snorkeling in Florida, USA
Rating (9/10)
Florida is a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. With more than 300 springs (some of which lead to caves) and miles of ocean shoreline where shipwrecks and coral reefs wait to be explored, there is a lot for you to see in Florida's underwater world. Just about everyone who can swim can also snorkel. With a mask and a snorkeling tube -- and optional flippers for your feet -- you can see what lies beneath. Getting certified in diving allows you to go deeper than the surface and see even more.
The 120-mile Florida Keys island chain is home to the continental United States' only living-coral barrier reef. This teeming backbone of marine life runs the length of the Keys about five miles offshore. Our coral formations are famous for their abundance of fish, from impressive schools of blue-striped grunts to toothy green moray eels. The U.S. government established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to protect our marine habitat. Preserving the reef is a top priority for a good reason. There is no more versatile marine destination in the world. We have coral-encrusted ship wrecks and intricate natural coral formations. We have shallow reefs for snorkelers and a range of deeper reefs for experienced divers. Most dive sites are equipped with convenient mooring buoys to save the reef from anchors and make it easy for boaters to tie off. Most sites are a short boat ride from our islands, where dozens of highly professional dive operators are ready to cater to you.
