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I have had the pleasure of snorkeling in the VI's waters the past few years, so I am fairly familiar with the visual beauties their waters have to offer. We are going to visit the FL Keys soon and I am reading about the snorkeling opportunities there...can anyone tell me what to expect in the Keys vs what I have seen in the USVI's? Any info is appreciated!
In a nutshell, don't expect much. We've snorkled in the VIs many times over 4 trips and attempted to snorkle off Key Largo a couple of years ago, in some park - Prendergast- or some name like that, also went out in a boat with some local friends and it was nothing like the VIs at all- no coral formations coming from shore, its all go out in a boat to a reef and struggle through the choppy conditions to see very mediocre, simple marine life. All in all the Keys were a huge disappointment. Basically a road down the center of a bunch of tacky tee shirt shops and condos for the tanned elderly. We went for a very full week and that was way more than enough. Way, way, too much traffic, couldn't ever cross the Rt 1 strip anywhere. Key Largo, in spots, was actually lovely however- swamp areas were very nice to see, but that's about all. Well, the downtown area of Key West was funky too, very much like New Orleans before Katrina. The Everglades above the Keys were fantastic but that's not the Keys thank god!!!
Head back for the VI's, always worth the money in my opinion.
thanks karrieb...kinda what I was afraid to hear. We were just in STJ for 10 glorious days in March, so this trip is just a little birthday bonus for my husband. We have always wanted to take the drive to the keys, and due to an airline voucher we need to use or loose, the time has come for us to do the keys trip. We are only going for 5 nites....2 in key west, 2 key largo and last nite in Hollywood...flying in and out of Ft Lauderdale. We have been in Key West only once and we thought it waranted a return visit. I have read that snorkeling is good out at the dry tortugas but not sure that I want to boat 2 hrs each way for mediocre snorkeling.
STJ has a way of spoiling all of us!
Carolyn:
I agree with Karrieb.....we tried snorkeling and scuba diving in the Keys. Snorkeling at John Pennycamp National Park (Key Largo)was O.K. but not great. Also tried some snorkeling mid way to Key West...again not good. Scuba was not good.
The islands are better for snorkeling....however I was not impressed with scuba in the VIs (imho).
F.I.
Carolyn,
Dry Totugas is nice. If you have a day to spare, do it. Key West is a great place, we have vacationed there 2 years in a row. There is a lot to do and see.
