To help you narrow down your choices, weve curated a list of the seven spots you must visit when snorkeling Sanibel Island. Still, the coral life is severely limited around Fort Myers, and the water is cloudier than other southern Florida scuba diving spots, like Key Largo,Key West, and The Florida Keys. The protected beach and nearby Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter offer excellent snorkeling with coral reefs teeming with marine life such as fish, nurse sharks, eels, sea turtles, and crabs. More than a dozen artificial reefs lie within a 15 mile radius of Sanibel and Captiva making these Florida barrier islands great for snorkeling and scuba diving. . The Florida Keys is the southernmost part of the United States and an excellent place for snorkeling. Snorkeling is a great way to enjoy the wrecks and artificial reefs found in Captiva and Sanibel Islands. It is best to check the conditions of Edison Reef with knowledgeable locals before departing on a snorkeling trip. A life jacket must be worn. The skirt of the mask is made from silicone, creating a comfortable seal around the face. A yellow and white marker shows the location of the reef, constructed of concrete culverts. Besides being a great water sport where you never leave the surface, snorkeling provides benefits such as increasing lung capacity, providing better joint mobility, burning calories and is a great workout for your legs, core and shoulders. Here, under the Blue Heron Bridge, there is an 800-foot-long artificial reef and snorkeling trail at Phil Foster Park. Photo Credit: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. You can enjoy the calm waters straight from the beach, and spot manatees, nurse sharks, dolphins, stingrays (if youre lucky). Visitors can enjoy spotting a variety of colorful fish and other marine life while floating atop the gentle waves. (239) 872-6295. Share your stories, get inspired, and plan your next adventure with us. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. The largest is the Edison Reef -- named for Thomas Edison, a famous Fort Meyers seasonal resident. You can rent a vacation home or condo in Marco Island to stay while on the water or while in town. But, instead of a collapsed bridge, Pegasus Reef is made from the shipwreck of a tugboat. How to prepare. Captiva Beach contains over a dozen artificial reefs. Check out Lee Reefs for more information on reef and ship wreck locations. Here are some of the most interesting islands that surround Fort Myer. The views are incredible and its such a rush! This idyllic island lies off the coast of the Yucatn Peninsula near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. But, when snorkeling Sanibel Island, which locations should you choose? Snorkeling Sanibel Island: 7 Snorkel Spots You Must Visit. The most popular artificial reef for snorkeling is the Destin East Pass Reef. Cayo Costa is known for its secluded beaches, making this a perfect location for couples. Pegasus/Charlies Reef is located 28 miles due west of Red Fish Pass. The largest is the Edison Reef -- named for Thomas Edison, a famous Fort Meyers seasonal resident. Peagus/Charlies Reef is located 28 miles due west of Red Fish Pass. The marine life is abundant and lively. It is roughly 20 miles southwest of Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida. You can easily access Captiva Island on foot or by vehicle over the channel bridge, and the island is a great day trip from Sanibel Island. Her expertise includes higher education, marketing and social media, and her presentations and writing have won industry awards. It runs parallel to Wiggins Pass beach, where you can enjoy snorkeling and other water activities. This part of the state offers plenty of outdoor activities, museums, and entertainment opportunities. The Edison Reef is created from the rubble of a former mainland bridge. If youve never snorkeled before, you might want to try Scuba Outfitters of Naples. Rainy Season in Bali: 7 Things to Do in Canggu in the Rain, Thailand or Maldives: Battle of the Tropical Paradises. Also called the Great Mayan Reef, this natural wonder extends for 600 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Sanibel Island can be found in Lee County, Florida. The price is $25 per person, including equipment. Best time to go snorkeling in Makadi Bay Hurghada. However, the best snorkeling is reserved for the outer islands, just off the coast. Spearfishing at the Edison Reef off Sanibel Island FL - YouTube 0:00 / 3:20 Spearfishing at the Edison Reef off Sanibel Island FL 9,541 views Jan 5, 2014 24 Dislike Share Save The Sanibel. 9 Places for the Best Snorkeling in the Florida Keys 1. Each year, over 2 million tourists visit our reefs through snorkeling, diving, fishing or boating.The reefs are extremely important to us locals and we are committed to doing our part in protecting them. With a long and dry summer season that starts at the end of May and lasts till the end of September and a short, mild winter period (Dec-February), Egypt's Red Sea Coast is a year-round travel destination. Although the primary purpose for these man-made reefs was to restock the waters with fish, they also make these islands a delightful snorkeling location. You can snorkel along the . Visitors can use the public restrooms, nearby cafes, and the YOLO Watersports rental shop. Due to conservation and restoration efforts, the coral here is thriving. Is India A Good Travel Destination? 19450 County Hwy 707, Tequesta, FL 33469, Phone: 561-966-6600 Remarkably enough, Florida is the only state in the contiguous United States to offer prolific, extensive shallow coral reefs. Yes, there is good snorkeling on Marco Island Florida. Many professional tour companies offer educational and adventure snorkeling excursions from Fort Myers Beach, too. Even if you aren't going on a guided excursion where masks, snorkels and flippers are provided, you can still get the proper accessories for this popular activity. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling and diving . The tours come with a captain and crew, as well as snacks, soft drinks and coffee. The Sanibel Island area is home to many different types of fish, coral, and other marine life. You can take a parasailing ride on the island that is the longest in the world. Snorkeling in Naples is a fantastic way to get a taste of a variety of aquatic life, such as fiddler crabs and colorful fish. The Florida Reef, Florida Keys, United States. How to Travel Between Islands in Cape Verde: The Ultimate Guide, Best Honeymoon Destinations in Egypt: 5 Romantic Places, The 7 Most Deadly Snakes In Zimbabwe To Know About, Is Boracay Safe? For almost three decades visitors and locals alike have been choosing Fury Water Adventures for snorkeling Key West's nearby reef. Pegasus Reef is perfect for those interested in seeing a shipwreck up close and encountering larger marine animals not just colorful fish and corals. However, make sure that you snorkel in groups and still always tell someone on-land where and when you are going. During the summer, it is only permissible for parasailing passengers to board the boat. Congress racks up travel bills on your dime. Divers frequently see whale sharks, barracuda, and curious sea turtles here. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. While Sanibel Island has many natural snorkeling spots, this location is actually manmade. There is also a lighthouse on Sanibel Island. During the winter months, manatees come further towards the shore, searching for warmer waters. If you want an experience unlike any other, make your way across the lagoon to the unspoiled area along the coast where Mother Nature provides her unrivaled white sand. Chairs,umbrellas,towels and a cooler with ice. One to try: the Edison Reef, off. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. favorite things to do in the Middle Keys! The island is really very small - just 35050 meters. 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Below are ten of the best places to snorkel in Islamorada. Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia is a divers' paradise. Coral reefs and mangroves are two of the best places to see fish and other marine life. One of the largest is the Edison Reef, created from the rubble of a former mainland bridge. For snorkelers with their own equipment, Cayo Costa State Park just west of Fort Myers and north of Sanibel offers snorkeling in its pristine, blue Gulf of Mexico waters. The water is crystal clear and the reefs are teeming with marine life. More Breathtaking New Friends. Parasailing Marco Island is an amazing experience! The state park, which has cabins for rent, is accessible only by private boat or ferry. . 7 Reasons We Say Yes! Each Island is within a five-mile radius of the Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores of Fort Myer. (239) 434-7477. Coral reefs are also more abundant the further south you travel. Most of the country's best snorkel sites are along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Located just 70 nautical miles from Key West, the Yankee Freedom III serves as Dry Tortugas's official ferry. Book today for best deals at 866-999-6590! Find Us On Social Media: July 25, 2018. You have the option of going up as a tandem or triple. A large tug boat was added to several railroad hoppers that already have quite an assortment of residences, including barracuda, cobia, nurse shark, grouper, amber jack and a moray eel. Tigertail Beach is the ideal location for a day of fun in the water for families. Blind Pass Beach is excellent for experiencing swimming with schools of fish and spotting pretty seashells. Humans are likely to come into contact with alligators in the city because many of the residential neighborhoods on the island are surrounded by lakes or have access to wetlands. WEST BAY, ROATN. Your best option is to participate in a tour. Coral Reef Snorkeling: Grab your snorkel gear and join your guide for a first class snorkeling tour amidst tropical fish, abundant marine life and colorful coral. West Bay, Roatn is regularly named among the most beautiful and healthiest reefs of the Caribbean. - picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report's team. The water is crystal clear and the reefs are teeming with marine life. The beaches on the west side of the island are not overcrowded or devoid of natural beauty due to their white sands. The Florida Keys' reefs are the only living coral reefs in the continental United States. All Rights Reserved. Fantastico is appropriately named because fantastically bright and colorful marine creatures constantly swarm it. Visitors arrive to this park to sunbathe, snorkel the reef, hike, bird-watch, fish, picnic, and search for seashells on a daily basis. Like Edison Reef, Pegasus Reef is located offshore, requiring a private charter or group tour to access it. The barrier reef is the second-largest in the world and stretches for more than 600 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. If youre looking for an exciting snorkeling excursion in Marco Island, you wont be disappointed! Ithas soft and white sandy beaches and clear, warm water. Snorkeling allows you to interact with marine life directly, and you may encounter nurse sharks, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees during your underwater experience. Pegasus is frequently visited by Goliath Grouper, a fish that is eight feet long and weighs an impressive five hundred pounds. Fantastico sank in 1993, fifty miles off the coast of Fort Myers. The water has always been a favorite place for outdoor recreation. Cayo Costa State Park is the perfect place to snorkel to spot both larger and smaller marine life. Freedom III serves as Dry Tortugas & # x27 ; reefs are with. You have the option of going up as a tandem or triple s official.. 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