bakerstreet

I'm considering a short trip to the Breakers (sans kids) and would like to snorkel, plus maybe do a dive. I've heard there's a reef there for snorkeling and shallow (20-ft.) dives.

Has anyone here been diving or snorkeling there, and what did you think of it? How would you compare it with Carribbean (Caymans, Cozumel) or Hawaii? The same brightly-colored, beautiful tropical fish and colorful coral? Any jellyfish issues? We went diving once in Destin, FL and the jellyfish reminded me of WWII movies showing paratroopers filling the skies -- we were constantly dodging them. Not interested in a repeat of that.

If you have any thoughts about diving or snorkeling in Palm Beach and/or at the Breakers, please share!

bakerstreet

ttt

starrs

That's news to me. The best snorkeling "nearby" would be at Pennekamp in Key Largo, but that's 2 hours away.

I like Pennekamp, but in my opinion it's a pale comparison to the Caribbean and/or Hawaii.

Snorkel Destin? What's to see there? I just remember very shallow sand with no coral.

If you are heading in that direction to snorkel, go further south to the Keys. Try Pennekamp at Key Largo or go on down to Key West and then ferry over to the Dry Tortugas -

http://www.yankeefreedom.com/

montereybob

I snorkeled at the reef off Fort Lauderdale and it was dead with just a very few fish. Perhaps this is the same reef that continues up to the area you are visiting. I have always heard and read that Pennekamp is the place to snorkel in FL.

starrs

I think there's a deep shelf off the coast that's good for scuba diving but snorkeling? I've been swimming up and down that part of the FL coast, and there's nothing to see - that I know of anyway. Go to the Keys!

Better yet, go to St. Croix and go to the Buck Island National Reef - http://www.nps.gov/buis/index.htm

The best off the beach snorkeling I've ever done is between the Pitons on St Lucia.

bakerstreet

Thanks for the replies. This isn't a diving trip, it's a trip to the Breakers and I'm considering what activities to do while there, besides golf. They advertise diving, and when I called to ask the dive people about it, the guy said they have a lovely 20 ft' deep reef not far from the beach that has beautiful tropical fish and is good for snorkeling or shallow diving, and that they offer a boat trip to a deeper reef that's supposed to be a good dive. I'm just trying to see if there are people who have experienced this who have also experienced Carribbean-type diving to give a comparison. I'd like to know if it's really good, or just good compared to places like Destin (which by the way was as bad as you'd think).

We did dive in St. Lucia but not at the Pitons, although we enjoyed drinking some of the namesake brew!

suite7

sorry, but this almost made me laugh. I'm a member at the Breakers and no serious person would ever consider this a scuba or snorkeling mecca. Ever. In a million years. Play golf, play tennis, ride bikes, lounge on the beach, enjoy the gorgeous surroundings, go to the spa...but underwater experience? That would be a "no".
(PS - used to live in Bermuda where snorkeling is a gift from the gods)

bakerstreet

OK, suite7, thanks for my answer! I'll forget about a dive while there. Thanks for saving me some time.

Now that spa idea....

And starrs, thanks for the tip on Buck Island National Reef -- wasn't familiar with it and now I want to go!

starrs

Buck Island is great. I've been three times and highly recommend Captain Heinz.