One of the few coral reef systems in the United States is just a few miles offshore from the Florida Keys. This offers amazing crystal-clear water with diverse coral ecosystems and abundant swarms of fish. There are some amazing companies who will take you out, usually for about $40 per person (my personal favorite is Keys Diver Snorkel Tours on Key Largo), but doing these trips solo is not impossible. Depending on where you set in and where you are trying to go, getting to the reef tract can be a quick hour-long paddle, or a 3-hour paddle through a maze of mangroves. Here we'll talk about how to get to Alligator reef from Islamorada, and some fun distractions along the way.
Islamorada to Alligator Reef (+ detour)
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The causeway by Teatable key has free parking and no set in fee, it is also perfectly located to start of a number of adventures out on the water. Nearby, you can visit Indian Key, which is only accessible by boat, and you can walk around the ruins of an abandoned settlement. If you have the time on your paddle to or from the reef, check it out, it's an extra 30 minutes and well worth your time.
Finding your way to Alligator reef is one of the easier paddles to navigate, there is a massive lighthouse to guide you right there. On any clear day you can see all the way to your destination, but just to be safe, you should bring other navigating tools, GPS works best.
Finding your way to Alligator reef is one of the easier paddles to navigate, there is a massive lighthouse to guide you right there. On any clear day you can see all the way to your destination, but just to be safe, you should bring other navigating tools, GPS works best.
There are buoys to tie your boat to, but sometimes this place can be a little crowded, especially on weekends. Be careful around and kind to motorboat drivers, it helps to be their friend.
The lighthouse itself is pretty spectacular, I in no way advocate climbing it, but "my friend" told me that the doors are always open, there is a staircase to the top and the view from the top is spectacular. There are plenty of fish to see around it, loads of smaller corals. This is a great place to swim around on a sunny day, it's popularity with boaters is justified.
If you want to paddle here, chose a calm day with winds ideally less than 5 mph. Try going during the summer, when the winds are gentler.
The lighthouse itself is pretty spectacular, I in no way advocate climbing it, but "my friend" told me that the doors are always open, there is a staircase to the top and the view from the top is spectacular. There are plenty of fish to see around it, loads of smaller corals. This is a great place to swim around on a sunny day, it's popularity with boaters is justified.
If you want to paddle here, chose a calm day with winds ideally less than 5 mph. Try going during the summer, when the winds are gentler.