Thanks for stopping by Taxi Hollywood Beach Fl. Com. As the owner and operator of Guy’s Taxi Service, I come across many tourists who tell me which South Florida spots they love, and which they don’t particularly care for. I’ve come across many tourists who visit our sunny city, and one of the most frequent questions I get is where’s a good spot to take my family to snorkel at?
Well, here’s a great list. Courtesy of an article published by the Sun-Sentinel, published on June 15th, 2012.
- Biscayne National Park- Homestead
- A 53-foot glass-bottom boat (available in July) and a 45-foot diving and snorkeling catamaran take adventurers across southern Biscayne Bay in the northernmost Florida Keys and the largest national marine park, through wilderness, mangrove creeks, islands, and out to tropical coral reefs teeming with sea life. Family snorkeling is available from the boat. Canoe and kayak rentals, picnic area, walking trails, fishing, camping and shower facilities available. Reservations at 305-230-1100. Visit biscayneunderwater.com for more information. Open daily 9:00-5:30. Waterfront visitor center offers exhibits, films and information. Visitor Center open daily 7:30-5:30.
- 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, FL 33033-5634
- Headquarters: 305-230-1144
- Visitor Information: 305-230-7275
- Red Reef- Boca Raton This spot also has an artificial reef close to the shore, this one only about 10 feet. After being created to cover up jagged rock off the shore, it soon became home to many different organisms including hundreds of rainbow-colored, striped and spotted fish, as well as occasional sea turtles, eels and stingrays. Although the artificial reef is not as massive as Coral Cove, Red Reef also has a boardwalk for those not interested in bringing swim trunks and a change of clothes. Be aware: Parking here is expensive — $16 weekdays; $18 weekends and holidays.
- 1400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL
- Recreation Service Department: 561-393-7974
- John Pennekamp State Park- Key Largo Hands down one of the most recognized snorkeling and scuba diving areas in the country, the completely submerged Pennekamp is home to innumerable breathtaking sights. Boat trips run by the park depart three times a day at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. costing $21.95 for minors and $26.95 for adults. Equipment rentals are separate but can cost as little as $6 for fins, snorkel and mask. Masks corrected for the near-sighted are also available for rent. If you are lucky enough to have a boat yourself, try White Banks Reef, located at the southern tip of the park, the spot features a circular patch of soft and hard coral along with nearly 400 varieties of tropical fish, according to Capt. Todd Firm of Keys Divers. Although gorgeous, White Banks is hardly a hidden treasure. For a more secluded time, try Horseshoe about a mile north behind Key Largo. It not only hosts a comparable amount of sea life but also many unique “swim throughs.”
- MM 102.5 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
- Park Offices: 305-451-6300
Commercial Boulevard and A1A, Lauderdale By The Sea Something a little less formal then a park, one can just take a little walk either north or south of Anglin’s Pier and swim out a couple hundred yards, where many kinds of fish, including nurse sharks, have been spotted. The prime spots for snorkeling here is a significant distance from the shore so snorkelers should be strong swimmers and bring a dive flag.
If you’d like to schedule a pick-up and drop-off time with my taxi service, please note that we pick up in Hallandale Beach and Hollywood Beach with 15 minute notice. Other south east Broward areas require at least 30 minutes. You can schedule a day or more in advance. We can also provide you with a service of waiting for you at one of these snorkeling sites (at an additional fee). Please feel free to call us for reservations.
Wishing you a great vacation in sunny South Florida.