Good snorkeling spots near Orlando

Guest · 19 Jan 17, 09:30 PM

Going to Orlando in March. Normally we take a few days down in the Keys as we love to snorkel. Not doing that this time, but still want to snorkel. Anywhere close-ish to Orlando (within a couple of hours) where we can do some decent snorkelling. Apart from Discovery cove that is

Guest · 19 Jan 17, 10:23 PM

There are some great spots at Crystal River / Kings Bay; Treat to snorkel with manatees.

Lots on Youtube. Might be worth checking seasons though - not sure when breeding season is.

It is around 1.5 - 2 hours from Orlando depending where you are staying

Orlando Magic · 20 Jan 17, 08:28 AM

You can do this at Crystal river and Tubing and Floating - KP Hole Park, Rainbow River .
We did all this in one day, check out our blog with pictures.
It's great fun! ( Sorry the text is in dutch)

oldersom.nl/blog/dag-17-z...rainbow-river/

Guest · 20 Jan 17, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Orlando Magic

You can do this at Crystal river and Tubing and Floating - KP Hole Park, Rainbow River .
We did all this in one day, check out our blog with pictures.
It's great fun! ( Sorry the text is in dutch)

oldersom.nl/blog/dag-17-z...rainbow-river/

I am so glad you posted. I remember reading your blog years ago and thinking what utterly fantastic pictures you put up.

(The ones I was thinking of particularly were from Zaanse Schans - and it must be a good few years ago. They are what prompted us to visit there for the day. My photos from the trip look nothing like yours. Fuzzy and weather grey ! but we still had a great time).

I went to show your pictures to somebody and could never find you again.

Thanks !

EDIT - I just went hunting in your historic threads and these were the other standout pictures that I still remember from seeing them a couple of years ago the everglades

OP - sorry to hijack thread

Guest · 20 Jan 17, 10:00 PM

Blue Springs in Orange City.

Guest · 20 Jan 17, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the replies. We are planning of doing the manatee swim, it looks great. We snorkelled blue springs last time we were there which we enjoyed. But really I was hoping to find a place to beach snorkel. I know the reef system doesn't start till you get as far south as Palm beach but I don't fancy a three hour drive each way. Was hoping there might be somewhere on the gulf coast within a couple of hours from Orlando.

Guest · 20 Jan 17, 10:15 PM

No reef in the gulf and really no decent snorkeling until you get round into the panhandle Panama City/Destin area. Water will 60 degrees or so up there on March.

Orlando Magic · 23 Jan 17, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by FamilyGWales

I am so glad you posted. I remember reading your blog years ago and thinking what utterly fantastic pictures you put up.
:

Thank you for the compliment!

19 Jan 17, 09:30 PM	#1
	19 Jan 17, 09:30 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Good snorkeling spots near Orlando Going to Orlando in March. Normally we take a few days down in the Keys as we love to snorkel. Not doing that this time, but still want to snorkel. Anywhere close-ish to Orlando (within a couple of hours) where we can do some decent snorkelling. Apart from Discovery cove that is

19 Jan 17, 10:23 PM	#2
	19 Jan 17, 10:23 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	There are some great spots at Crystal River / Kings Bay; Treat to snorkel with manatees. Lots on Youtube. Might be worth checking seasons though - not sure when breeding season is. It is around 1.5 - 2 hours from Orlando depending where you are staying Edited at 10:28 PM.

20 Jan 17, 10:00 PM	#5
	20 Jan 17, 10:00 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Blue Springs in Orange City.

20 Jan 17, 10:05 PM	#6
	20 Jan 17, 10:05 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Thanks for the replies. We are planning of doing the manatee swim, it looks great. We snorkelled blue springs last time we were there which we enjoyed. But really I was hoping to find a place to beach snorkel. I know the reef system doesn't start till you get as far south as Palm beach but I don't fancy a three hour drive each way. Was hoping there might be somewhere on the gulf coast within a couple of hours from Orlando.

20 Jan 17, 10:15 PM	#7
	20 Jan 17, 10:15 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	No reef in the gulf and really no decent snorkeling until you get round into the panhandle Panama City/Destin area. Water will 60 degrees or so up there on March.