Is snorkeling safe in the Keys?

You can snorkel from pretty much any beach in Florida but again, if you must snorkel near bridges or pilings, please take all precautions including a snorkeling vest and dive flag as this is the Florida Keys and boat traffic is a way of life down here. Buddy system rules always apply!



Snorkeling in the Florida Keys is considered very safe, provided you follow standard maritime safety protocols and respect the natural environment. The 125-mile island chain houses the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S., and the waters are generally calm, shallow, and clear. To ensure safety, the "Blue Star" program recognizes tour operators who follow responsible and sustainable practices. Swimmers are required to use a "divers-down" flag and are encouraged to wear flotation vests, even if they are strong swimmers, to help with visibility to boaters. While marine life like barracudas, nurse sharks, and rays are common, they are generally non-aggressive toward humans unless provoked. The most common "dangers" are actually sunburn, dehydration, and accidentally touching stinging coral or sea urchins, which is why "reef-safe" sunscreen and a "look but don't touch" policy are the golden rules for a safe trip in the Keys.

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Are there Sharks in the Florida Keys? You bet. It is common to catch nurse sharks while fishing on the flats. These bottom dwellers are generally docile and will only act defensively if provoked, so if you see one out snorkeling or diving there is no need for alarm as long as you do not disturb it.

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Boasting temperate waters and more than 3,400 hours of annual sunshine, the beaches of Key West are some of the most popular destinations on this tropical island paradise. You can enjoy the sun, sand and warm water as well as a variety of activities like swimming, snorkeling and fishing.

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Most sharks are not in any way dangerous and should be respected by observing from a distance and not touching, chasing, or harassing. Of the most inquisitive larger sharks, if you feel threatened or worried, always remain facing the shark, stay low, and back off slowly.

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Lemon sharks get their name from their pale yellow coloring and are one of the species that is most abundant in the Florida Keys, as these are their native waters. They prefer shallow waters and are often seen on the flats, reefs, and even venturing into fresh waters at times.

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Probably not. There's simply not enough fresh water in Key West, which has no lakes, no rivers, and gets significantly less rainfall than the Upper Keys, Everglades, or Miami. Occasionally, Key West gets American Crocodiles.

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We see a number of different types of sharks in Key Largo, mainly Reef Sharks, Nurse sharks and some Bull sharks. There are however visitors to our shores that are a little larger.

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Hurricane season in the Caribbean—including Key West—runs from June to November. While we're fans of Caribbean off-season travel, even during fall months like October, you should expect plenty of afternoon showers this time of year. You also face heightened risk of having your trip disrupted by a major storm.

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The Keys don't have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore.

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The crime rate in the Florida Keys is low, but you should still use common sense when exploring Key West, especially at night and around hectic Duval Street and Mallory Square. Exercise caution when going into the water as well; be sure to heed all flags and warnings from authorities.

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