USVI-On-Line

Hi all - Just got back last month from our first visit to STJ and loved it especially the snorkeling. If we went to Key West would we be dissapointed in the snorkeling? Would love to go back to STJ but our 10 year old daughter wants to go to Disney and if we went from Key West that would work. We figure this would be the last trip to Disney but who knows maybe we could swing STJ again just want to get some ideas. Thanks for the help. I know we probably will not be able to afford STJ this next summer again so thought we would wait another year but I hear Key West is not so inexpensive too? Any thoughts? I was there years ago with my parents.

I have not snorkeled on STJ but I can tell you that I did off of Key West 2 years ago and was very disappointed. I must add that I was on a cruise ship and we had snorkeled in Belize 2 days prior which was amazing! I would not go to KW hoping for good snorkeling. Maybe I was just at the wrong place but that is my 2 cents...Not much coral and what was there was dead..

I agree... Keys snorkeling would be pretty disappointing after a St John experience. And, it really is quite a long drive from Disney. Do you think you could enjoy Discovery Cove? Of course, not STJ, but I hear good things about the experience, and it would let you stay in Orlando instead of driving so much. Just a thought.

I have to agree with everyone else-I also feel that key west is hard with kids it's very much a party destination.

ok - thanks everyone. I will have to come up with another plan for next summer. Have plenty of time to research and I love doing this.

While my husband and I truly love going to Key West each and every year, it is a different experience then St. John. I agree that the snorkeling doesn't compare to St. John, unless you go way out on the reef (which I have been a bit hesitant to do).

Nevertheless I did write a trip report on Key West if you're interested :

http://susannj.travellerspoint.com/3/

The best snorkeling in the Keys (in my opinion) is a good bit further north than Key West. Key Largo, Marathon, and Tavernier are all good locations in the mid-to-upper Keys for snorkeling, although to get to the best sites, you'd need to take a boat ride.

Further south, Looe Key is also a very good snorkel site if the conditions are good, but that is getting you within shouting distance of Key West.

We are going to Key Largo in the spring to dive. (It will be my first time after my little stroke.) I don't know what to expect in comparison to St. John, I doubt it will be the same, but I have learned that you judge each experience on its own merrits. I am very excited to go! The Keys are a healthy drive from Orlando though.

I agree with the previous responses that I think there is some good snorkeling in the upper keys rather than Key West. You will however have to take a boat out for the snorkeling. we took our kids out (when they were younger) and they loved it, but getting to snorkel as long as you want in STJ and seeing as much as you do does spoil you. Discovery Cove in Orlando in Orlando is so pricey and so commercial that if you aren't into that - there is a place in the upper Keys that is on a much smaller scale called Theater of the Sea- we have not been in a long time (again when the kids were small) but they were "Trainers for the day" and got to interact/swim with the dolphins, train the sea lions, and swim w/ stingray. Much smaller place. hope this helps!