Can you snorkel Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary?

Visitors to the sanctuary are encouraged to take advantage of the many recreational activities this amazing ecosystem has to offer, including world-class diving, swimming, snorkeling and fishing.

What is the most popular scuba diving site in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary?

Key Largo dubs itself the “Dive Capital of the World“, and yes, it is home to some of the most renown dive sites in the Florida Keys. It is also where John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located, the country’s first undersea park. It includes approximately 70 nautical square miles of adjacent Atlantic Ocean waters.

What is the best time to snorkel in the Keys?

The best months for snorkelling are April until August. To avoid the crowds; April and May are great. It is still not too hot, the water is clearer, and accommodations are not as expensive as in the summertime. During winter a wetsuit is needed for snorkelling sea temps ranging from 24-20°C/75-67°F.

Can you swim in a marine sanctuary?

You can enjoy a range of marine activities such as boating, scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming in aquatic reserves.

Can you fish Sombrero reef?

Catch and release fishing by trolling is allowed in Conch Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Reef, and Sand Key SPAs only. Touching or standing on living or dead coral.

Where is Sombrero reef located?

Sombrero Reef is the largest coral reef in the Middle Keys, and part of the greater Florida Reef system. Located offshore of Vaca Key, Sombrero Reef is accessible by boat from Marathon, and is just five nautical miles south of Pigeon Key.

Where is the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys?

Here are some of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys.

• Fort Zachary Taylor.
• Dry Tortugas & Fort Jefferson.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
• Bahia Honda State Park.
• Coral Reef- Snorkeling Tours.
• Florida Keys Snorkeling Map.

Which of the Florida Keys is best for snorkeling?

10 Best Snorkeling Spots in the Florida Keys

• Bahia Honda State Park.
• Biscayne National Park.
• Fort Zachary Taylor.
• Sombrero Reef, Marathon.
• Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area, Big Pine Key.
• Long Key State Park.
• Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
• Cheeca Rocks, Islamorada. Credit: tropical studio/shutterstock.com.

Are sharks common in the Florida Keys?

Yes, of course there are sharks in Key West. We’re situated on a small island surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico–shark’s natural habitat. What kind of sharks can I see at the reef? The most common shark to see at the Key West reef is the docile nurse shark.

What is the difference between a marine sanctuary and a marine protected area?

A marine sanctuary is a general type of marine protected area (MPA). An MPA is a section of the ocean where a government has placed limits on human activity. Different types of MPAs allow different types of activities, such as scientific research, recreation, or commercial fishing.

How do marine sanctuaries differ from reserves?

‘marine reserve’ means an area (often within a given MPA, sometimes synonymous with an MPA) with strict Category I protection. a national or international ‘sanctuary’, on the other hand, is a very large area designated as a refuge from hunting.

Are there sharks at Sombrero reef?

Andrew Eddy, 30, was on a private boat with his wife, Margot Dukes-Eddy and her family at the time of the shark attack Sunday morning at Sombrero Reef, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Eddy, of Atlanta, had just slid into the water when a large shark latched onto his shoulder.

Is Sombrero reef good for snorkeling?

Sombrero Reef Snorkeling Tours in Over 30 acres in size, the reef is alive and thriving, and filled with all sorts of neon-colored tropical fish. Because Sombrero Reef is only between 2 to 30 feet deep, it attracts snorkeling enthusiasts who appreciate getting up close and personal with their underwater friends.

Is snorkeling better in Key Largo or Key West?

When it comes to snorkeling and diving, Key West has some great diving, but the snorkeling and diving around Key Largo surpass the opportunities around the southernmost Key by far. The reefs around both islands are incredibly healthy, beautiful, and mostly easy to access.

Are there crocodiles in Florida Keys?

American crocodiles are primarily found in South Florida and can be seen often swimming in Keys canals. They are federally protected after their numbers dwindled in the 1970s. Scientists estimate there are now about 2,000 of them living in South Miami-Dade and the Keys, and they are happy about that.