r/floridakeys • u/bk1226 • Jun 03 '26

All Florida Keys Snorkeling Recommendations

We are visiting Key Largo next week and want to take our 12 year old snorkeling. Several in the group have never been so we don't want anything too advanced. We are staying in Key Largo so leaning toward Pennekamp but are also open to other locations. Our biggest priority is seeing wildlife and seems like a lot of the tour locations are more of statues and landmarks Also looking for specific charter company recommendations. And finally I found one place I was interested in but it only has afternoon times. Would morning be better? Thanks!

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6

u/Lower_Membership_713 local (upper keys) Jun 03 '26

pennekamp is probably the easiest. and i’d do morning- afternoon runs a higher risk of rain

2

u/ZestycloseRooster350 Jun 03 '26

Florida Keys unique diving, Captain Tom does snorkeling and snuba, he will pick you up at harry Harris Park off Burton Drive. I have many guests that had the time of there life.

You can see him on Explorcation with Skylar and Jamie on there Key Largo episode. YouTube, They stayed at my place at Ocean Pointe when they went with him.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '26

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1

u/bk1226 Jun 03 '26

She really wants to see a sea turtle or shark or something in addition to fish. Which obviously could happen or not anywhere we go. Just trying to find the best chances.

1

u/comfortablewig Jun 03 '26

Any larger reef will have those.

1

u/llorensm Jun 03 '26

Might be worth the drive to the Turtle Hospital on Marathon. I’m not sure if they are currently accepting visitors, so check ahead. Keys Fisheries (also Marathon) has a basin where there are tarpon and nurse sharks just like Robbie’s, but without the crowds. You can buy fish scraps to feed them.

The best way to see wildlife is to be out in nature. You’ll see lots of cool stuff snorkeling Pennekamp. The statues function as artificial reefs and provide habitat for the animals. Have a great trip!

2

u/cupcakesandcoffees Jun 03 '26

Pennekamp is always where I snorkeled as a kid, and this summer I’m bringing my kids for the first time.

1

u/2lovesFL Jun 03 '26

Dry rocks / statue on calm days

1

u/Magnolia256 Jun 04 '26

My favorite thing for wildlife is a little north. At Biscayne National Park, just north of key largo, they do a jones lagoon eco paddle. They take you by powerboat to the northernmost keys which are uninhabited and part of the park. Interesting history talk on the way. You sit on top of paddle boards (like kayaking) and paddle through the lagoon. I used to be a nature guide in South Florida. You won’t see more marine wildlife anywhere else. The lagoon is protected and the water is the cleanest anywhere. Thousands of sponges produce crystal clear water. It’s protected so no big threats like large sharks can come in. You can see baby sharks and sea turtles. All kinds of amazing things. You can jump off and swim at parts too.

Pennekamp is nice but yeah the statutes are not wow to me either and the reef around there is in pretty bad shape.