snorkeling in florida

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Garth - 01 Jul 2004 00:58 GMT

I'll be taking my family to Lauderdale by the Sea in a few weeks and
would like to spend a lot of time snorkeling. From what I can see on
various sites the water is quite warm (I'm from Canada where the water
is usually quite cold). Is a 3mm wetsuit too much? I'm wondering
about possibly wearing a lycra dive shirt just to provide some
protection from the sun etc. If anyone can give me some advice I
would certainly appreciate it.

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Lee Bell - 01 Jul 2004 03:10 GMT

> I'll be taking my family to Lauderdale by the Sea in a few weeks and
> would like to spend a lot of time snorkeling. From what I can see on
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> protection from the sun etc. If anyone can give me some advice I
> would certainly appreciate it.

Expect water temperatures at the surface to be in the mid to high 80s F.
I'm a native and I've been diving in nothing more than a lycra skin for a
while now. I reserve my 3mm for the winter, when the water is in the high
60s to low 70s. I think a 3mm would be a bit much for this time of year,
but I know others that wear that or more pretty much year 'round. I guess
it's a matter of how sensitive you are to the cold.

Lee

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Garth - 01 Jul 2004 15:28 GMT

> > I'll be taking my family to Lauderdale by the Sea in a few weeks and
> > would like to spend a lot of time snorkeling. From what I can see on
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Lee

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll have the kids wear their wet suits
and I'll bring both lycra and a wet suit for myself just in case. By
the way, is the reef off Lauderdale by the Sea as nice as I've heard?
Some sites say you need to take a boat out to the 2nd and 3rd reef,
while others seem to imply you can do a shore dive. Of course the
concierge at the hotel has told me I need to go with a guided tour to
see any of the reefs, but I have a feeling that has more to do with
money than reality.

Garth

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Lee Bell - 01 Jul 2004 17:47 GMT

> Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll have the kids wear their wet suits
> and I'll bring both lycra and a wet suit for myself just in case. By
> the way, is the reef off Lauderdale by the Sea as nice as I've heard?

To the best of my knowledge, it's as good as you'll find from shore. Please
be careful, though. Florida requires a towed float and flag for good
reason. There are a lot of boats down here, many more than there are
competent boaters, if you get my drift. If you snorkel from shore, make
sure everyone knows to keep a sharp eye and ear out for boats. We would
rather you all survived to bring more money to us next year.

> Some sites say you need to take a boat out to the 2nd and 3rd reef,
> while others seem to imply you can do a shore dive. Of course the
> concierge at the hotel has told me I need to go with a guided tour to
> see any of the reefs, but I have a feeling that has more to do with
> money than reality.

Much of S. Florida has three reef lines. The first reef is right off the
beach in several areas, including Lauderdale By the Sea. The second reef is
further out than most people would consider a comfortable swim and, for the
most part, is a bit deep for snorkeling except when visibility is good,
which it often is. The third reef is further still and to deep for any but
the best freedivers.

If you're snorkeling, you'll enjoy going out from shore at Lauderdale By the
Sea. If you're diving, take a dive boat.

Lee

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Garth - 02 Jul 2004 00:19 GMT

> > Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll have the kids wear their wet suits
> > and I'll bring both lycra and a wet suit for myself just in case. By
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Lee

I appreciate the warning. In addition to a diver down flag I may try
to find some bright colored lycra shirts so we stand out a bit better.
We are also planning to spend a day in the Keys and see John
Pennekamp coral reef park through one of the dive tour operators. Do
you have any suggestions regarding ones to avoid or any operator that
has a particularly good reputation?

Garth

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Lee Bell - 02 Jul 2004 01:26 GMT

> I appreciate the warning. In addition to a diver down flag I may try
> to find some bright colored lycra shirts so we stand out a bit better.
> We are also planning to spend a day in the Keys and see John
> Pennekamp coral reef park through one of the dive tour operators. Do
> you have any suggestions regarding ones to avoid or any operator that
> has a particularly good reputation?

It's been a very long time since I paid to snorkel anywhere in the Keys.
Last time I went, I used the operator in the park itself. I remember it as
being a good experience. That was about 15 years ago, so take it for what
it's worth.

When I book with a commercial dive operator in the upper Keys, it's always
because somebody I know has already booked with them. Most of the dive
boats are cattle operations. They'll crowd as many in as they can get away
with. Quiesence is reportedly different, but I've not used them personally.

With several of you going, you may find that renting a small Boston Whaler
type boat is less expensive than booking passage on a snorkel charter. It's
certain that you'll get a lot more time on the water if you do. Anybody
that will rent a boat should also be able to tell you how to find the more
popular snorkel sites. Just a thought. A word to the wise, if you take a
boat out yourself, look over your shoulder as you head out. It helps to
know what the way home looks like. You'd be amazed at how many people fail
to do this . . . and have trouble finding their way back to their starting
point.

Lee

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Chuck Chatham - 01 Jul 2004 23:22 GMT

I dove there three weeks ago with a 3mm suit and loved it. Mike a local
there dove
with no suit, and several others used a variety. The water is nice and a
Canadian
can surely endure it easily. Check http://www.scubaboard.com and go to the
link for the
Florida Conch Divers / private trips. Leave a post there and you will find
some
locals who will be happy to dive with you. Mike, Marvel, Jenny, and others
are great.
There are lots of local dive shops where you can get air/goodies/etc.

I entered the water at Lauderdale-by-the-sea at the end of Hibiscus St.
(Take Commercial to the beach area and go two blocks south to
Hibiscus) Datura (one block north) is also a good choice. The reef is
about
200 yds out and is not a bad swim. There are two reefs accessable by beach
there and the second is a nicer, with a bit longer swim. Be sure and carry
a
dive flag with you. Both reefs are 15' to 20' and both have a lot of fish
life.
I went from there to the Bahamas, and enjoyed both very much.

Have a great time and tell the locals I said "Hi" (chuck41)

> > > I'll be taking my family to Lauderdale by the Sea in a few weeks and
> > > would like to spend a lot of time snorkeling. From what I can see on
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Garth

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chilly - 02 Jul 2004 04:11 GMT

> dive flag with you. Both reefs are 15' to 20' and both have a lot of fish
> life.
> I went from there to the Bahamas, and enjoyed both very much.

You swam from the shore at Ft.Lauderdale to the Bahamas. Wow!

;^)

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Lee Bell - 02 Jul 2004 04:46 GMT

> > dive flag with you. Both reefs are 15' to 20' and both have a lot of fish
> > life.
> > I went from there to the Bahamas, and enjoyed both very much.
>
> You swam from the shore at Ft.Lauderdale to the Bahamas. Wow!

He was just showing off. If you look at how far from shore the Bahamas
claim as their own, you'll quickly realize that Ft. Lauderdale is in the
Bahamas . . . at least as long as it's to the Bahamians' advantage. The
rule used to be, and I assume it still is, that you don't fish on your way
to the Bahamas. Since all waters between Florida and the nearest islands
are within their claimed territory, any fish you bring to shore are
considered caught in Bahamian waters without a license.

Lee

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Chuck Chatham - 02 Jul 2004 14:07 GMT

I said ... "I went" ... Didn't say I swam. Gosh, the first liar never
gets
a break at this place!!

> > > dive flag with you. Both reefs are 15' to 20' and both have a lot of
> fish
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Lee

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chilly - 02 Jul 2004 17:55 GMT

> I said ... "I went" ... Didn't say I swam. Gosh, the first liar never
> gets
> a break at this place!!

As even a break as the next guy gets. :^)

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chilly - 02 Jul 2004 14:11 GMT

> > > dive flag with you. Both reefs are 15' to 20' and both have a lot of
> fish
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> are within their claimed territory, any fish you bring to shore are
> considered caught in Bahamian waters without a license.

LOL

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Garth - 01 Jul 2004 15:35 GMT

> > I'll be taking my family to Lauderdale by the Sea in a few weeks and
> > would like to spend a lot of time snorkeling. From what I can see on
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Lee

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Jim - 01 Jul 2004 23:13 GMT

How badly has the reef off Key Largo deteriorated from coral disease?

I have an opportunity to go to Orlando later this summer and would be
interested extending the trip to go snorkeling in the Keys.

I haven't been to Key Largo since 1993, and I thought it was quite
nice back then. Lots of color, brain coral, sea fans, elkhorn, etc.

But news articles seem to be saying that the condition of the reef has
really gone downhill since then.

Looking for opinions about whether it is still worth the time and
effort to extend my trip to Orlando to go snorkeling at Key Largo.

Jim

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