Yes, it is mostly safe to swim in Sanibel Island. The Sanibel Island area is home to many different types of fish, coral, and other marine life. Raja Ampat: snorkeling in the paradise. There are plenty of dive shops dotting the Fort Myers streets; including Captain Pete's Diving Outfitters on Colonial Boulevard and Eagle Ray Dive Center on Bonita Beach Road. document.write((new Date()).getFullYear());Lee County, FL. There is also a lighthouse on Sanibel Island. Also called the Great Mayan Reef, this natural wonder extends for 600 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Snorkelers of all levels can enjoy the wonders of Naples water, whether they are beginning or experienced. Put on your flippers, secure your mask and insert your snorkel; because youre about to look under the clear Gulf water to see fish, reef and live shells. The 8.5 foot, 4,000 pound statue depicts Christ with his arms outstretched, surrounded by beautiful coral formations. Blue Reef Explorers: They're The Best When It Comes To Snorkeling - See 56 traveler reviews, 81 candid photos, and great deals for Sandy Bay, Honduras, at Tripadvisor. Sailing on Marco Island is an excellent way to enjoy its natural beauty without leaving the sun. The Belton Johnson Reef named for a well-known fishing guide is located five nautical miles off Bowmans Beach. If you want to snorkel in Marco Island, you have to go to Tigertail Beach. parasailing costs between $47.50 and $112.50 per person, depending on the length of line and number of passengers. The Florida Keys is the southernmost part of the United States and an excellent place for snorkeling. Blind Pass Beach is excellent for experiencing swimming with schools of fish and spotting pretty seashells. Bowmans Beachs easy accessibility and beautiful setting make it an ideal choice for those whod like to combine snorkeling with a beach day. Natural coral reefs arent native to these areas, but shipwrecks and other debris have created homes for many ocean creatures and marine life. Parasailing for children as young as six is acceptable as long as they are accompanied by a parent. The island is really very small - just 35050 meters. And Sanibel Island is home to plenty of exciting marine life like stingrays, nurse sharks, dolphins, and manatees. Paddling a canoe along a rambling creek, jumping the wake behind a fast boat, or snorkeling among coral reefs, are just a few of the many ways you can have fun in the water. It isnt easy to access the engine room, but the deck and below are still relatively easy to get to and look around. West Bay, Roatn is regularly named among the most beautiful and healthiest reefs of the Caribbean. The beaches on the west side of the island are not overcrowded or devoid of natural beauty due to their white sands. The main summer months bring hot air (33-36C/91.4-98F) and warm water temperatures (27-28C/80.6-82.4F). Sanibel Island has some major claims to fame. If you're strapped for time, sail on a half-day luxury cruise, or take a speedboat for a thrilling snorkel adventure. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Some snorkelers may even find a shark tooth as a keepsake of their experience! The marine life is abundant and lively. The price is $25 per person, including equipment. Captiva Beach contains over a dozen artificial reefs. Whale Shark in The Maldives. 2023 Boatsetter, Inc. All rights reserved. Southwest Florida is the only area in the country where you can kayak, snorkel, and shell. You can enjoy the calm waters straight from the beach, and spot manatees, nurse sharks, dolphins, stingrays (if youre lucky). Since it sank more than ten years before the USS Mohawk, it is considerably more worn, but the marine flora and fauna are more abundant. Book today for best deals at 866-999-6590! You can expect to spot larger marine animals like barracudas and nurse sharks frequently. Just beyond our white-sand beaches, a network of artificial reefs provide diving, snorkeling, boating and fishing opportunities for residents and visitors of Southwest Florida. When the Fort Meyers bridge sank, an underwater habitat was created. Its waters are mostly calm with clear visibility, making it a safe destination to snorkel. The largest is the Edison Reef named for Thomas Edison, a famous Fort Meyers seasonal resident. Still, the coral life is severely limited around Fort Myers, and the water is cloudier than other southern Florida scuba diving spots, like Key Largo,Key West, and The Florida Keys. And best beaches mean, Key West 3-Hour Afternoon Reef Snorkel with Drinks, Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling, Key West Rum and Reggae Afternoon Snorkel and Sunset. Like Bowmans Beach, you can snorkel this location straight from Blind Pass Beach. If you stay at Cape Coral Home Away there is no need to rent a boat though. The Gaiola Park is the best place for snorkeling in Naples. The tours come with a captain and crew, as well as snacks, soft drinks and coffee. There is excellent snorkeling to be found in the calm, clear waters off the coast of Naples, Florida. It is a man-made reef that was created in 1984. Lighthouse Beach Park is your best option if spotting manatees is a priority when snorkeling Sanibel Island. Bowmans Beach is very popular, which is good for water safety. The water is crystal clear and the reefs are teeming with marine life. The best part is that snorkeling is a great activity for all ages, so everyone in your group can enjoy the fun. 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928. . The Belton Johnson Reef is named after a famous local fishing guide and constructed of concrete culverts. This is shallow water so it is also great for swimming and hanging out on the beach. Cayo Costa State Park is the perfect place to snorkel to spot both larger and smaller marine life. The water on Marco Island is beautiful, as is wildlife. This reef is located just offshore of the East Pass jetty. The 5 Best Places To See Monkeys In Costa Rica In 2023, 5 Ways To Travel Tulum On A Budget Top Travel Tips, Is Leon, Mexico, Safe? The coral barrier reef that surrounds the Florida Keys is over 358 miles long, creating the perfect habitat for so many colorful reef fish. The water is really warm, blue, and with good underwater visibility. The beach is made up of nine miles of white sand and nine miles of blue water. Visitors can also swim in the gulf, as well as sunbathe and shell along nine miles of beach. A dry top snorkel at the top of the mask prevents water from entering the mask, if you are hit by a wave. Guests are able to swim, fish and snorkel, with all gear included. Buccaneer AdventuresServing Sanibel, Captiva & Surrounding AreasCape Coral, FL 33904Ph:(239) 851-3483Web:http://www.swflboating.com, Sanibel Island Cruise LineDaily Cruises to Cayo CostaSanibel, FL 33957Ph:(239) 472-5799Web:http://www.sanibelislandcruiseline.com/, Captain Pauls Yacht Charters1225 SW 53rd TerraceCape Coral, FL 33914Ph:(239) 540-7623,(239) 357-8448Web:http://www.captainpauls.com/, Native Guides15951 Captiva DriveTween Waters MarinaCaptiva, FL 33924Ph:(239) 822-3337Web:http://nativeguidesfishing.com/. The Destin East Pass Reef is home to a variety of marine life, including fish, coral, and other invertebrates. Another sly addition from a neighboring island, Alison Hagerup Beach is a good snorkeling destination for spotting larger marine life especially sea turtles. It isespecially nice if youre interested in seeing sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, nurse sharks, and stingrays. And, during these periods, the best place in Sanibel Island to encounter them regularly is Lighthouse Beach Park. The, How to stop the next police killing? Fort Myers Beach is consistently warm year-round because it sits on the Gulf of Mexico. The most popular artificial reef for snorkeling is the Destin East Pass Reef. Below are ten of the best places to snorkel in Islamorada. If you have your own gear great! To help you narrow down your choices, weve curated a list of the seven spots you must visit when snorkeling Sanibel Island. Snorkeling allows you to interact with marine life directly, and you may encounter nurse sharks, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees during your underwater experience. Waking up with the fish, turtles, reef sharks, rays, swimming amongst angle and butterflyfish is the way how you spend your time here. Naples, Florida is one of the best places to go snorkeling. Humans are likely to come into contact with alligators in the city because many of the residential neighborhoods on the island are surrounded by lakes or have access to wetlands. There are plenty of dive shops dotting the Fort Myers streets; including Captain Petes Diving Outfitters on Colonial Boulevard and Eagle Ray Dive Center on Bonita Beach Road. When it rains, rough seas make navigating difficult and make navigating difficult in murky waters. 1. Therefore, if you want to go independent snorkeling or simply maximize your chance of a manatee encounter, wed recommend this location. You can take a mangrove kayak tour, go diving or snorkeling, and see some unique fish species, such as . This entrance is near the Atlantic Ocean Beach Villas. The beach is located at the northernmost point of Captiva Island, meaning it is accessible but a slightly longer journey than to other locations weve covered. For almost three decades visitors and locals alike have been choosing Fury Water Adventures for snorkeling Key West's nearby reef. The 1,429 miles long Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the most expansive coral reef system in the entire world. This reef is located approximately 15 nautical miles from the Sanibel Lighthouse. This idyllic island lies off the coast of the Yucatn Peninsula near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. For snorkelers with their own equipment, Cayo Costa State Park just west of Fort Myers and north of Sanibel offers snorkeling in its pristine, blue Gulf of Mexico waters. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. It was built less than 15 nautical miles from the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in 42 feet of water. Looking for a community of like-minded adventurers to share your experiences with? You can rent a vacation home or condo in Marco Island to stay while on the water or while in town. 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