Fantastic Snorkeling Locations Across The U.S.
By Sanjay Surana
VACATIONS
Biscayne National Park
In Biscayne National Park, there is excellent snorkeling, including lots of coral, sea life, and shipwrecks that form a Maritime Heritage Trail.
Travelers can book snorkel excursions through the Biscayne National Park Institute. Snorkelers will see coral and sea life in the Atlantic or nurseries
of fish in the mangroves.
Buck Island Reef
Buck Island Reef National Monument is a snorkeling superstar. This national treasure has grottos that visitors can snorkel along as part of an underwater trail.
Only six participants can snorkel at a time, and they will see elkhorn, star, brain coral, sea turtles, eagle rays, parrot fish, blue tangs, and even some skittish reef sharks.
Santa Catalina Island
In Santa Catalina Island’s clear blue water, there are no bad spots to snorkel, though highlights include Casino Point Dive Park and Descanso Beach.
Here, snorkelers might see garibaldi, giant sea bass, and harbor seals. Lover's Cove State Marine Conservation Area has dense, beautiful kelp forests, moray eels, and horn sharks.
Crystal River
On Florida's Gulf Coast side, Crystal River is one of the few places in the world where visitors can consistently swim and snorkel with cute manatees.
Time in the water with these creatures is always part of a tour. Participants might find the manatees approaching them with a sense of curiosity.
Dry Tortugas National Park
About 70 miles from Key West, the Dry Tortugas National Park is a snorkeler's dream, covering about 100 square miles of the region with much to see.
Due to the nearby current, there is a lot of sea life, including grouper and barracudas roaming around the old piers, as well as squid and octopi along the moat wall at night.