Can you snorkel Molasses Reef?

Molasses Reef is a very popular location for diving and snorkeling, with between 30 and 33 dive sites marked by mooring buoys that boats can hook up to. It is a classic outer reef with a well-defined spur and groove reef system of coral development.

Where can I snorkel from shore in Key Largo?

Pennekamp Park
The only Key Largo snorkeling from shore is at either of the two designated beaches in Pennekamp Park. The beaches access an enclosed bay that has a sea grass bottom and is surrounded by mangroves.

Can you snorkel on your own at John Pennekamp?

Snorkeling tours leave the dock five times a day for 1 to 1.5 hours water time. Cost is $29.95 for adults and $24.95 under 18. Bring your own snorkel, mask and fins, or rent them ($2 fins, $2 mask, and you must buy the snorkel for $5.

How do I get to Molasses Reef?

Obviously, you need to get on a boat for snorkeling Molasses Reef. You can get on a tour in Key Largo or at Pennekamp State Park. We are not sure if the large boats from the park or Key Largo go to Molasses as the companies often won’t tell you the destination until you leave.

How far offshore is Molasses Reef?

about 6.5 miles
The glass bottom boat tour takes you to Molasses Reef which is further offshore, about 6.5 miles; average depth is about 10 to 30 feet. Scuba Tour Depths range from 30 to 45 feet.

Where can I snorkel from shore in the Florida Keys?

Here are some of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys.

Fort Zachary Taylor.
Dry Tortugas & Fort Jefferson.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Bahia Honda State Park.
Coral Reef- Snorkeling Tours.
Florida Keys Snorkeling Map.

Can you snorkel from the beach in the Keys?

Snorkeling in the Florida Keys You can have fun snorkeling almost anywhere in the Keys — any dock or pier here will attract some fish around its pilings. Snorkeling in Florida: A school of snapper take shelter under a cannon at Cannon Beach at Pennekamp State Park.

How far is Molasses Reef from shore?

The glass bottom boat tour takes you to Molasses Reef which is further offshore, about 6.5 miles; average depth is about 10 to 30 feet.

How can I go to mosquito bank?

To get to Mosquito Bank from Pennekamp and Key Largo sound you just head out what is known as South Creek, just look for a short tower to the south, it marks the inland side of the patches. Pretty much even if the wind is howling you will be able to see the patches.

Where is Molasses Reef in the Florida Keys?

Molasses Reef is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the southeast offshore of the island of Key Largo, and is to the east of the famous John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This reef has been made into a “Sanctuary Preservation Area”.

Where to scuba dive in the Florida Keys?

One of the better known sites for divers and snorkelers alike is Molasses Reef, a vibrant underwater reef system off the island of Key Largo, the first island one encounters when driving south from the mainland into the Keys. This location in the Florida Keys make it a destination for many tourists to the Keys, as well as for those living in Miami.

Why is the Molasses Reef hard to miss?

Molasses Reef is hard to miss due to it’s tower and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather station, located behind it. Due to the numerous permanent mooring buoys along its length boats never need to drop an anchor and risk damaging the coral formations.

Is there a weather tower on the Molasses Reef?

There is NOAA weather equipment on the unmanned Molasses Reef tower, so it is easy to get current wind conditions for the reef at any time. To see the current weather conditions directly from the Molasses Reef Tower, see this link.