One of the easiest snorkel spots to access by kayak in the Keys is off the south shore of Boca Chica Key. Follow Boca Chica road to the south until you reach the end where you will find a small parking area. Launch your kayak from the beach and head to the west (turn right). After paddling only a few hundred yards you will see a yellow/orange marker buoy indicating the start of Western Sambo Protection Area. No fishing, lobstering, or collecting of marine life is permitted in this area. Paddle past the mark and look to your left at approximately a 45 degree angle. You will see an orange triangle mounted on a post a few hundred yards from shore. Paddle towards this channel marker. Approximately 20 yards closer to shore than this marker is a line of patch reefs running parallel to shore. Anchor you kayak in a sandy spot as there are no mooring buoys and be prepared for some awesome snorkeling. On sunny, calm days the water may be so clear that paddling in a kayak can seem like a cruise in a glass bottom boat.
These patch reefs extend for a considerable distance and can provide hours of snorkeling fun. Be prepared to see tons of fish in addition to some potentially more exciting sea creatures. Keep your eyes open for Loggerhead turtles swimming and surfacing in this area (although they tend to be quite shy in this area). Huge stingrays can be found cruising the reef or resting peacefully among the coral heads. Moray eels may be found hiding in the rock crevices.
This is a definite "must-do" kayak snorkel spot with tons to see on a beautiful day and even in windy, poor conditions the site is accessible and home to plenty of fish and coral. Unfortunately we didn't bring our camera on the best day we were there. The pictures included in this post were taken on a very windy day and display the reduced visibility
These patch reefs extend for a considerable distance and can provide hours of snorkeling fun. Be prepared to see tons of fish in addition to some potentially more exciting sea creatures. Keep your eyes open for Loggerhead turtles swimming and surfacing in this area (although they tend to be quite shy in this area). Huge stingrays can be found cruising the reef or resting peacefully among the coral heads. Moray eels may be found hiding in the rock crevices.
This is a definite "must-do" kayak snorkel spot with tons to see on a beautiful day and even in windy, poor conditions the site is accessible and home to plenty of fish and coral. Unfortunately we didn't bring our camera on the best day we were there. The pictures included in this post were taken on a very windy day and display the reduced visibility