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| COUNTRY: USA PROVINCE: Florida (Printer
Version) |
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| REGION: Key Largo TITLE: Sand Island |
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NOTES: Southeast of Key Largo, the snorkeling at Sand Island is well known an abundant parrotfish population.
The Sand Island is located 6 miles southeast of Key Largo and 0.8 nautical miles northeast of Melassas Reef Light. When accessing via private boat use the Pennekamp boat ramp. It is marked by three mooring buoys. The best mooring buoy for snorkeling off Sand Island is the middle buoy in 14 foot deep water. Start snorkleing seaward to reach an area 22 feet deep where hawksbill turtles and nurse sharks hang out.
After a day snorkeling Sand Island, check out the Key Largo Conch House for some cold drinks.
While the snorkeling at Sand Island is possible year-round, most snorkelers usually shoot for March through September. There is usually some rolling surf at most snorkeling sites off Key Largo, while you can expect the flatest surf conditions from June through August.
When using a dive boat charter to reach the dive site, make sure to reconfirm the reservation the afternoon prior. Most dive boats select the site the afternoon prior or even the morning of the dive. Also, most dive boats have a minimum passenger requirement in order to leave dock meaning they may cancel at the last minute, so when reverifying the afternoon prior ask how many reservations they have.
Additional printed reading material on Sand Island snorkeling
can be found in Snorkeling The Florida Keys
by from Brad Bertelli.
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| FOR MORE
INFORMATION: John Pennekamp State Park (305) 451-1202; Key Largo (800) 822-1088; Quicksilver/Reef Roamer Catamaran Snorkeling Tours (305) 453-0110; Sundiver custom snorkeling tours (305) 451-2220. |
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| MAPS:
Florida Keys Dive Map
from Franko Maps
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| SEASON: Mar. - Sep. |
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| RATING: Moderate |
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| BREAKFAST JOINT: Harrietts, Travenier |
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| BASE CAMP: Key Largo Kampground (305) 451-1431 |
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| LUXURY LODGE: Westin Beach Resort Key Largo; Jules Undersea Lodge (305) 451-2353 |
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| QUESTIONS?: Click
Here To E-Mail This Area |
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