Snorkeling (Naples: renting, pollution, beach)

[tmozer]

Without renting a boat, are there any shore accessable areas that might make for interesting snorkeling near Naples?

[tmozer]

Searching for "Snorkeling" and "Naples" I came up with a reef off of Wiggins Pass Beach (Area 2). I wonder how far off the surf line the reef is?

[B4U]

Can't help with this one. I've only ever snorkeled in the U.S. Virgin Is. Gorgeous!

[tmozer]

Originally Posted by B4U

Can't help with this one. I've only ever snorkeled in the U.S. Virgin Is. Gorgeous!

Me too (but not only). Sail boat snorkeling trip off St. John. I try to snorkel where ever and when ever possible.

[motordavid]

tmozer,
Very hard to find around here. I've done some in the mangroves, at high tide, at Delnor-Wiggins, but with caution as I couldn't get gators off my mind. One can wade in almost on any beach, kick out past the surf line, and see sand and occasional "stuff", but there is really no reef system within swimming distance that I know of.

Not Cousteau, but theCEO & I have ~ 500 dives each, so we tend to hit the Atlantic side or, several places in the Caribbean, for SCUBA, and the snorkel goes along on our masks, for a ride. ;>)

If you aren't Cert'd, you might look into SCUBA lessons: fun, easy, though like driver's license, one is really a rookie, until about ~50 dives, imo.

For a fabulous snorkel experience, I would rec'd snorkeling with the manatees, though it's a couple hours north. I have dived with this outfit several times and rec'd them, though the "with the manatees" part is snorkel only, and I think I recall them being able to accommodate non-divers.
Snorkel Manatee Tours here in crystal river

And, on the east coast of course, Pennekamp Park has some guided/self-guided snorkel tours; we have dived there several times, but it is getting a little ragged, and the high water temps and pollution have taken their toll on the coral, and thus the reef life. It isn't next door, either, as it's a good "hour" south of MIA.
Welcome to Florida State Parks

My 50cts...
GL, mD

[Beth Mone`]

From the Naples Daily News archives.

Please don't disturb anything if you go out there. It's a very fragile ecology still in it's infancy.

Discovery of coral reefs off Collier shores sparks debate » Naples Daily News

Beth

[tmozer]

Originally Posted by Beth Mone`

From the Naples Daily News archives.

Please don't disturb anything if you go out there. It's a very fragile ecology still in it's infancy.

Discovery of coral reefs off Collier shores sparks debate » Naples Daily News

Beth

Now this would seem to be a different reef (a good 4 or 5 miles South of the Higgins Pass reef).

I walked from Clam Pass Beach Park to Doctor's Inlet and back this morning. Must have seen twenty different stingrays in the surf. Maybe instead of carrying my camera I'll start taking flippers and a mask on my beach walks......

[Beth Mone`]

Clam Pass to Doctors Pass is known for turning an occasional Spanish coin, especially after a storm.

If the waters clear, try snorkeling right in Clam pass and look under the embankment along the side.

Just in case no one told you, if you're wading with the rays, shuffle your feet and let them know you're coming. That way you won't step on one.

Beth

[tmozer]

Where is the best place to enter (Clam Pass)? Off the parking lot where the boat ramp is? Are you talking about the embankment along the mangroves?

[Beth Mone`]

Clam pass is by the Naples Grande. That's at Seagate and the Gulf. You take a tram to the beach from there and walk North and yes right along the mangroves in the current in the pass. It digs out a little bit and fish hang under the edge. You can get very close to them.

Beth