Best snorkeling spots

By Justin Young | Sun-Sentinel.com

From the north of Palm Beach to the shores of the Keys, hundreds of hidden niches and well-known watering holes dot the coast. Here are a handful of areas perfect for enthusiasts of all ages.

Coral Cove Park- Jupiter
Coral Cove Park is home to a two acre, 12,500-ton, limestone-boulder artificial reef designed to attract a plethora of fish. Along with the tropical fish, migrating sharks have on occasion stopped by. Thankfully something the park is abundant in -- water visibility -- is also the one of the greatest deterrents to shark attacks since a bite is most likely to happen if the water is murky.

19450 State Road 707 (Beach Road) Tequesta, Florida

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General Information: 561-966-6600 Beach Conditions: 561-624-0065

Biscayne National Park- Homestead
This gorgeous area provides not only fantastic scenery but also a great place to bring your family on the weekends. The park offers a variety of boat tours from snorkeling trips to glass bottom boats. The reef allows snorkelers to get a good look at tropical fish along with some of the fascinating vegetation and other immobile residents of the sea. On shore amenities like grills provide a welcome way to relax before or after your adventure in the Atlantic.

9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, FL 33033-5634

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Headquarters: 305-230-1144
Visitor Information: 305-230-7275

Red Reef- Boca Raton
This spot also has an artificial reef close to the shore, this one only about 10 feet. After being created to cover up jagged rock off the shore, it soon became home to many different organisms including hundreds of rainbow-colored, striped and spotted fish, as well as occasional sea turtles, eels and stingrays. Although the artificial reef is not as massive as Coral Cove, Red Reef also has a boardwalk for those not interested in bringing swim trunks and a change of clothes.

1400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL

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Recreation Service Department: 561-393-7974

John Pennekamp State Park- Key Largo
Hands down one of the most recognized snorkeling and scuba diving areas in the country, the completely submerged Pennekamp is home to innumerable breathtaking sights. Boat trips run by the park depart three times a day at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. costing $23.95 for minors and $28.95 for adults. Equipment rentals are separate but can cost as little as $6 for fins, snorkel and mask. Masks corrected for the near-sighted are also available for rent. If you are lucky enough to have a boat yourself, try White Banks Reef, located at the southern tip of the park, the spot features a circular patch of soft and hard coral along with nearly 400 varieties of tropical fish, according to Capt. Todd Firm of Keys Divers.

MM 102.5 Overseas Highway, Key Largo