Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale?

[Mihai]

I'll be in Fort Lauderdale in a couple of weeks for a few days. I heard that there are some nice reefs (both natural and artificial) in there... The problem is that it seems that most are quite deep - 15-25feet deep.
I don't dive... Anyone knows of a relatively shallow reef/snorkeling area in Fort Lauderdale?

Thanks,
M.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Take a trip to the Keys, about 2 hours or so, even in Key Largo you can catch a snorkling boat and have a great time, I was down there this weekend and we snorkel right off shore in 2 to 5 feet of water, got a bunch of polyps and a gorgeous gorgonian for my tank. Yesterday driving back they where talking on the radio that the visibility on the reefs of Key Largo was 60 feet! Can't get better than that!

 

[Mihai]

Take a trip to the Keys, about 2 hours or so, even in Key Largo you can catch a snorkling boat and have a great time, I was down there this weekend and we snorkel right off shore in 2 to 5 feet of water, got a bunch of polyps and a gorgeous gorgonian for my tank. Yesterday driving back they where talking on the radio that the visibility on the reefs of Key Largo was 60 feet! Can't get better than that!

That's not out of discussion. I was hoping to do it locally in the Fort L.
If I get in Key Largo, where do I go? My (only) experience from Hawaii was that snorkeling from the shore was way nicer than going with the boat at Molokini.

Regards,
M.

 

[Ben1]

snorkel right off shore in 2 to 5 feet of water, got a bunch of polyps and a gorgeous gorgonian for my tank

Did you have a collection permit?

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Saltwater fishing licence is all you need and you are allowed 20 pieces which includes fish and softies. No LR, LS, SPS and two specific kinds of sea fans.
Mihai, snorkling of the beach in Ft. Lauderdale probably won't be much fun, there is a park in Boca Raton called Red Reef Park that used to be ok, but haven't checked that out in a few years, if you go to the Keys, stop by the Visitors Center and pick up a booklet for info and coupons. Lots of Dive/Snorkling boats right on US 1.

 

[Mihai]

Saltwater fishing licence is all you need and you are allowed 20 pieces which includes fish and softies. No LR, LS, SPS and two specific kinds of sea fans.
Mihai, snorkling of the beach in Ft. Lauderdale probably won't be much fun, there is a park in Boca Raton called Red Reef Park that used to be ok, but haven't checked that out in a few years, if you go to the Keys, stop by the Visitors Center and pick up a booklet for info and coupons. Lots of Dive/Snorkling boats right on US 1.

The advice is appreciated. Thanks for saving me the frustration.
M.

 

[Ben1]

Does that licence extend to the US VI islands or just to flordia?

 

[Speckled Grouper]

It is a Florida Saltwater Fishing Licence, that's all. So only good in Florida.