miranda
30.04.2021 7:45:10
Key Largo, Florida
See full version: 10 great places to go scuba diving right here in the US – even in the Midwest
Key Largo, Florida
“Divers are finding adventures in their own backyards,” says Kristin Valette-Wirth, chief brand and membership officer for the group. She shares some favorite close-to-home diving spots with USA TODAY.
Valette-Wirth learned to dive in California’s Monterey Bay and says its sheltered, shallow and easily accessible waters still make it a great spot beginners. “It’s very sheltered, but the sea life there is just bustling.” Divers often see rays and harbor seals and may be circled by schools of sardines. “It’s a beautiful, entry-level experience.” [links]
No matter what part of the United States you plan to visit, you’ll find an amazing variety of great dives that will keep you coming back for more. From shark-filled North Carolina wrecks to California’s kelp beds, the sheer number and variety of dive sites in the United States is staggering.
And don’t be fooled into thinking that the vast interior is dive deprived; there are some unexpected and memorable inland dive sites in places you would scarcely expect. Visit to discover what’s on offer for divers across the United States.
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South Padre Island’s best snorkeling spot is the Laguna Madre Estuary, consisting of three to six foot-deep waters and suitable for all ages and abilities. Book a tour with American Diving, hailed for their knowledge and helpfulness. “The diver on the crew was fantastic with the younger kids in our party and had great tips for us,” says one reviewer. The summer months tend to have the clearest waters in South Padre Island, and while you may not mistake it for the Caribbean, this Texas getaway is terrific for families with kids who want a more calm snorkeling experience.
Swim into the waters of Turtle Canyon to snorkel alongside green sea turtles, cruising past Diamond Head and Waikiki along the way. Not that you need a boat to go snorkeling in Honolulu, as Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has a coral reef you can swim to right from the beach, a perfect swath of sand with a beautiful backdrop of coastal hills. more
Slip into the water at Crystal River, and you’ll be sharing the ocean with manatees, slow-moving mammals that graze on the native sea grass beds. Snorkel right alongside the gentle herbivores as they enjoy the freshwater springs that bubble up along the Crystal River—they’re the reason the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge has the largest concentration of manatees in the state.
With the world’s third-largest coral barrier reef system, Key West is one of the Florida Keys’ best snorkeling destinations. Home to loggerhead sea turtles, stingrays, and manatees, the varied ecosystem makes it easy to combine a snorkeling vacation with other adventures, exploring everything from marine wildlife to mangrove forests. Hop a sailboat out to the coral reef and search for wild dolphins along the way, or take a trip through the mangroves before slipping into the water with a mask and snorkel.
With good conditions almost every month of the year, planning a snorkeling vacation to Oahu is easy. Some of Kapolei’s best snorkeling might be Kapo Point Beach, also called Electric Beach, for the power plant that funnels warm water into the ocean, drawing marine life that basks in the balmy currents. Beginning snorkelers will love the sheltered water at the man-made Ko Olina Lagoons, home to colorful wrasse and tang fish. [links]
With 95,471 miles of coastline, it’s no surprise that America has some incredible places to snorkel. From San Diego’s sea caves to the Florida mangroves, you have to get in the water to really experience these spots, where you’ll be swimming alongside tropical fishes, forests of giant kelp, and wild dolphin pods. Not that we’re stuck on mainland life—some of the USA’s best snorkeling vacations are on beautiful islands, with great snorkeling destinations in the Outer Banks, the US Virgin Islands, and Hawaii. If you’re planning a snorkeling vacation, these gorgeous getaways are a good place to start. As an added bonus, you can book your snorkeling tours, guided boat cruises, diving adventures, and more right here on TripAdvisor.
There’s 60 miles of primitive beach camping to enjoy, too, which you can reach from Beach Access #5 and Beach Access #6. Be sure to bring a bear canister to protect your food from wildlife, pack in plenty of food and water, and pack your trash out when you leave. It’s wise to bring a portable toilet or wag bag, too. here
In many ways, Cinnamon Bay seems like it was designed to be one of the best places to snorkel in the United States, or the Carribbean. With waters so shallow the challenge is to avoid bumping the reef, you definitely don’t need a charter boat to access habitat for beautiful tropical fish. And because the whole Cay is surrounded by reef, there’s plenty to explore underwater. There’s just one hitch— Hurricane Irma.
From old pier pilings to the ruins of past military fortifications, there’s plenty of manmade infrastructure that’s become a haven for sea life, and a fun place to start your underwater adventure. The Moat Wall and a shallow shipwreck dating back to the early 1900s are other fun attractions that make this one of the best places to snorkel not just in the U.S., but all of Florida. However, the real magic at Dry Tortugas are on the natural reefs, some nearly 12,000 years old, formed by the hard work of 30 coral species, including two rare and endangered corals— the Elkhorn and Staghorn varieties.
“Some of the best snorkeling was here! We saw so many beautiful fish, turtles and colorful plants. We did a ton of snorkeling here, and enjoyed every bit of it. The beach was clean, but again it was busy. Go early to claim a spot!” –The Dyrt camper Drew W.
Unlike other caves popular with divers or cenotes further south, you don’t need any canyoneering or rappelling skills to get into Homestead Crater, either. Instead, there’s a tunnel through the side of the beehive that lets visitors access the water, which is a constant 90 degrees— just shy of hot tub temperature. And how often can you say that you went snorkeling or stand up paddleboarding in a secret underground hot spring in Utah?
Even the hike down is spectacular!
Map Sat
GPS: CS0504
N33�31.6035'
W117�46.2242'
04/25/2006 Anonymous (Avg: 3.77 Review) - This was one of the best sites that I have dove on the West coast!
Map Sat
GPS: CS0501
N33�31.6342'
W117�46.1983' [links]
03/19/2008 Brian Xavier (Avg: 4.45 Review) - I must have hit Wood Cove on the right day, because this was an easy and very nice dive- the best of my Laguna Beach dives. There was no big swell and we walked off the steps to the right, and dove straight out to 30 feet. Great rock formations and lots of life, with water clarity to around 30 feet. Slight surge but no problem. Would like to dive again straight out to 40 or 50 feet. One of my best all-time dives. Reminded me of Cambria Rock.
08/15/2007 Anonymous (Avg: 3.45 Review) - I have dove this site numerous times in every season, and I have always found good vis, low surf, and bountiful amounts of fish, lobster, and other creatures. Enter to the right of the big rock on shore for low surf and deep water near shore.