About Snorkeling in Tampa Bay, Florida

When you're ready to leave the beach and the fishing boat behind, consider a snorkeling excursion in the Tampa Bay area. You don't need much equipment, and charters can take you to the most interesting sites in shallow water, offering competitive prices. You might want to consider going in the warmer months, as winter snorkeling, even in Florida, can be a little chilly.

  1. Geography

    • The Tampa Bay area provides two contrasting snorkeling opportunities--Gulf-front beaches and the freshwater bay. Unlike the Florida Keys, which offer snorkelers fascinating coral reefs, Southwest Florida's Gulf-front beaches tend to be sandier, with a smaller variety of sea life to observe. Some of the more notable beaches to explore are Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin and Egmont Key. Conveniently, all of these locations can be reached within half an hour if you're staying anywhere in the Tampa-St. Pete area.

      Some of the best snorkeling in the Gulf near Tampa Bay is found around manmade reefs, which are teeming with fish. Check out the submerged remains of an old Spanish fort near Egmont Key or dozens of shipwrecks up and down the coast. Offshore you're likely to see a mix of colorful fish, sponges and during nesting season (May through September), a sea turtle or two.

    The Facts

    • For equipment, you need a mask, a snorkel and a life jacket. The life jacket may seem like a pain at first, but it will actually keep you from tiring out swimming and treading water. It will also keep you steady at the surface of the water, meaning you can keep your arms and legs fairly still. This is key to keep from scaring off sea life with lots of commotion at the surface. Flippers are very helpful, but not essential.

      You can take to the waters just offshore on your own, but to see the submerged sites around Tampa Bay, find a charter to take you offshore and a make a day, or half-day of it. For example, Windsong Boat Charter, which leaves from New Port Richey, a little north of Clearwater, will take you out for four hours for $275 and provide snorkel equipment for $7 a set. When you start shopping around for a charter, ask exactly what sites you'll be snorkeling in to make sure you see what you want.

    Risk Factors

    • As with any snorkeling or scuba venture around Florida, the chances of running into sharks are always present. You can protect yourself by taking a charter boat captained by someone who knows local waters. Likewise, pay attention to the warning flags, not just for sharks, rays and other threatening sea life, but for water conditions as well. A red flag means high surf or dangerous currents, while two red flags mean the water is off limits to the public. A purple flag signifies dangerous marine life.

      You certainly don't need to be a great athlete to snorkel, but the better the swimmer you are, the more comfortable you'll be in the water. In addition, pay attention to your snorkel and remain close to the surface. The last thing you want to do is gulp down a mouthful of saltwater because you dove a little too deep.

    Misconceptions

    • Many people unfamiliar with Florida's coastline assume that there are coral reefs everywhere and that snorkeling will lead you to a colorful and amazing world of marine plant and animal life. The truth is, if you want coral reefs, head south to the Florida Keys. Tampa Bay still offers plenty to see beyond the fragile coral, with just a mask and a snorkel.

    Type

    • In addition to Windsong, dozens of charter snorkel and dive businesses thrive in the Tampa Bay area. Here are a few others to check out: Diving Tampa, 1-877-GO-DIVIN; Tropical Island Getaway, 1-866-624-4500; Bird's Underwater Manatee Tours in Crystal River (yes, snorkel with manatees about an hour from Tampa!), (800) 771-2763