Beginner Snorkeling

Blue springs is great for beginners.

 

I started out at Itchetucknee Springs snorkling about 40 years ago. It's beautiful there! 300 feet vis underwater!
Any of the springs are beautiful and there are a lot of them in Florida.
I bought a couple of books on the subject and started exploring the different springs. It's been a life long interest
The water in the springs stays at 72F year round!

 

Here is the link for all of FL's springs. Hope this helps. Have fun.
http://www.floridasprings.org/visit/

 

we hit an area south of Steinhatchee just a little bit. It had a nice mix of coral and sponges, in 5-6' water. I need to find it again. I've seen lots of neat fish and sea life in the shallow water outside dark island by keaton. Out by a row of large rocks. Groups of spade fish, gobys, porcupine puffers, starfish, all types of stuff.

 

The springs and rivers are great but chilly. Of course, scalloping is loads of fun while snorkeling and you have the manatee dives in Crystal River.

 

There's a really cool rock pile/reef on the gulf side of Egmont Key. Ive seen monster tarpon, snook, barracuda, grouper, you name it there. Need a boat or hop on the ferry at Ft Desoto

 

Ginnie Springs is cool, especially if you like 1000 people surrounding you while you snorkel.

 

Don't go to the springs on weekends!

 

Any places to snorkel off the beach?

 

Beaches are a different animal. Turbid water when the surf is up, rip currents, etc. Calm seas, one can probably got out past the first sand bar and get a little more vis. One also has to be aware of the current also moving along the beach. Not nearly as much to look at, mostly sand (desert).