Boca Raton Snorkeling

Summary: With the combination of warm water, calm sea, good visibility and an interesting sea bed, Boca Raton snorkeling is numero uno in snorkeling

With the combination of warm water, calm sea, good visibility and an interesting sea bed these always constitutes a great dive. And Boca Raton, a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, comprises all these. It’s no surprise that snorkeling and South Florida is a perfect match.

Despites Boca's inclusion in the 3rd world country, their underwater attractions are not limited; in fact Boca Raton’s aquatic ecosystem is packed in abundance of sea life. Reefs, corals, and barnacled hulls of historical wrecks made Boca Raton snorkeling the most famous activity in South Florida.

The gulf of Florida is by large responsible for the abundant sea life of Boca Raton. The Gulf Stream, as it passes past Florida, carries with it a large variety of sea life, giving life to its less than attractive reef. And thanks to the Gulf Stream, snorkelers can anticipate to see myriads of large fishes such as grunts, snapper, jacks, and grouper, schools of them. Boca Raton also offers glimpses of the mostly evasive sea turtles. Check out the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Center in Red Reef Park to see the wonderful flora and fauna Boca Raton has to offer. Like the Boca Outfall Trench in 70 feet north of the inlet which is known to be frequented by sea turtles.

Red Reef Park
1400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL
Recreation Service Department: 393-7852

Red Reef Park was the outcome of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center project to cover up the jagged rocks off shore. Actually not intended for an artificial reef, these 10 feet from the shore structures became one anyway as hundreds of marine species decided that this artificial structure was no different than an actual reef. Rainbow colored or striped fishes, sea turtles, eels, and even sponges and some corals made their home on the Red Reef Park. If you’re into Boca Raton snorkeling, be sure to check out this reef.

Shipwrecks functioning as reefs are also available in Boca Raton. The Palm Beach Artificial Reef Program has scuttled more a dozen of wrecks in some locations. Many are in less than 75 feet of water and they offer great opportunities for Boca Raton snorkeling and exploring these wrecks. One such example is the Noula Express; a Danish freighter seized by the federal officials in a drug case and scuttled 17 years ago to create an artificial reef in 70 feet of water south of Boca Raton Inlet on the Palm Beach/Broward county line. Unfortunately hurricane Andrew tore this ship apart, leaving smaller sections of twisted metal sticking up from the sand. All in all, four ships are sunk for artificial reefs in 65 to 75 feet southeast of Boca Raton Inlet — The Sea Emperor, Noula Express, United Caribbean and Ancient Mariner.