# Key West Snorkeling/Kayak Advice **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 11, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714 "2013-06-11T11:59:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/1 "2013-06-11T11:59:01Z")
So, we’re going to KW in a couple of weeks. I haven’t been there in more than 30 years. We are outdoorsey types and plan on snorkeling and kayaking between cocktails. Does anyone have any particular tours/trips that they can recommend? We are in pretty good physical shape and experienced kayakers. The last time I was there I went on a snorkeling trip on a small boat (28’?) and there were only four passengers. We don’t need fancy, just fun. Fancy is OK too, provided its not way over-priced. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/2 "2013-06-11T16:22:17Z")
Kayaking off Key West is boring. Snorkeling is less boring, but still not exactly a thrill. You want to drive north to Key Largo; the premiere place for both of those activities is [John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park](http://www.pennekamppark.com/). But hey, while your in Key West, be sure and get yourselves some new [Kino Sandals](http://www.kinosandals.com/). ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/3 "2013-06-11T18:10:13Z")
I had the impression that kayaking through mangroves might be pretty cool. Am I getting bad skinny? IIRC, I snorkeled on a reef about six miles out last time and enjoyed it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/4 "2013-06-11T18:18:14Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > I had the impression that kayaking through mangroves might be pretty cool. Am I getting bad skinny? IIRC, I snorkeled on a reef about six miles out last time and enjoyed it a lot. That’s what I’m telling you: Pennekamp is Mangrove Waterway Central; Key West not so much. And snorkeling at Pennekamp involves basically getting out of your car and walking into the water. ETA: Hell, do both. Book a kayaking trip and a snorkeling trip out of Key West, then relocate to Key Largo for a couple of days and do the same thing at Pennekamp. How could that suck? ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/5 "2013-06-14T22:15:22Z")
PM me for info, but I run a kayak/eco tour company out of Key Largo (which really is where the best kayaking is, not KW.) We do kayaking and snorkeling in the mangroves, which is such a cool ecosystem as well as kayaking/walking trips in the Everglades. I hope this is OK to post, I’m not linking or anything and it’s specific to the question. If not, mods, I understand. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/6 "2013-06-15T00:02:15Z")
If you’re going to stick near Key West and want to snorkel, go slightly north and hit Looe Key. Fairly nice reefs in that area. But I agree that it tends to be better up near the mainland. I’d look into BoBettie’s outfit. In fact, I may do so myself. I have some friends who might be interested in joining me there, and Key Largo is such a short drive for me. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/7 "2013-06-15T03:31:35Z")
> [@BoBettie](#): > > PM me for info, but I run a kayak/eco tour company out of Key Largo (which really is where the best kayaking is, not KW.) We do kayaking and snorkeling in the mangroves, which is such a cool ecosystem as well as kayaking/walking trips in the Everglades. > > I hope this is OK to post, I’m not linking or anything and it’s specific to the question. If not, mods, I understand. See? I been _telling_ you Key Largo rules for kayaking and snorkeling! I _been telling_ you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![the\_O](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/8 "2013-06-15T06:21:35Z")
If you’re in the KW vicinity, try Sugarloaf Key (Mile Marker 19?). Nice mangrove kayaking and a skydive place next door. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/9 "2013-06-17T19:20:06Z")
We’re pretty much limited to KW due to a shared vehicle and limited time. Maybe we can get to Sugarloaf but I think Key Largo is out. Anything in the snorkeling department will be far better that what’s available in Jersey so I’m not too worried. I just thought someone might have had a particularly good time with one company or another. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-west-snorkeling-kayak-advice/660714/10 "2013-06-17T22:31:36Z")
If you like rum, hit The Rum Barrel - ok food and 150+ different rums. They have a deck on the roof. [and the rums are priced accordingly, so some are cheap and some are amazingly expensive, it is all in how rare or unusual the rum is. It isn’t all bacardi, there is an amazing variation in rums. If Alan is there, get him to make some suggestions based on price range and flavor types you like.]