Snorkeling Spots in Miami

The famed Miami Yacht Company Coastline has become a favorite photography subject for vacationers visiting the water. The beauty of the Miami seascape is unquestionable, but its emerald glisten reveals only a fraction of its majesty. Beneath the surface lies a mesmerizing world of color and mystery, which tourists can easily explore on a snorkeling trip. The best thing about snorkeling along the following sites is that you don't need a diving license and there are various Miami tour companies that can assist you during your underwater exploration of the Gulf Stream.

Bache Shoal

Popular due to its easy accessibility, Bache Shoal is an excellent reef for children and first-timers. This natural coral reef has an average depth of only ten feet and it is inhabited by a plethora of tropical fish. When visiting Bache Shoal, it is recommended to plan your trip in accordance with the tide chart, because the site is only accessible during the hide tide when boats can negotiate the shallow channel.

Lugano

When the 350 foot Lugano ran aground in 1913, it immediately became a popular diving spot. But these visitors were not recreational divers - they were wreckers looking to retrieve wines and expensive fabrics from the cargo compartments of the sunken ship. Over time the ship wore down and her skeletal remains became part of an exquisite coral reef system, creating a splendid snorkeling and diving spot.

Half Moon Preserve

The elaborate history of the Half Moon makes a visit to her wreckage site much more interesting. Once regarded the fastest racing yacht in the world, this German ship was claimed by the English at the start of WWI. It was then sold and converted into a floating saloon that was stationed at Biscayne. A 1930 storm pulled her free of her moorings and she tragically ran aground, despite a concerted rescue effort. Today, the wreckage site forms part of the Biscayne national park and the ship's original artifacts, which visitors are not permitted to remove, are on display.

Long Reef

The aptly named Long Reef stretches along the Miami coastline for almost two miles. The reef has become popular because of its ranging water depths that offer a wide range of diving opportunities for people of every skill level. In addition to a mind blowing array of tropical fish, visitors will be able to see the Alice - a ship that went aground in 1905.