Best ';walk-in'; snorkeling & inexpensive quiet hotel?

In July, my 13-year-old daughter and I are planning to spend a few days snorkeling in the upper keys and then spend a few days in the lower keys. Can anyone recommend good/best ';walk-in'; snorkeling spots along the way and inexpensive (but clean %26amp; quiet) accomodations in both areas? I hear that Key Largo is a ';city';.. looking for secluded feel offering walk-in snorkeling. And I hear that Key West is a crazy party city... Any suggestions for places to stay in the Key west area or just north of KW? Looking for LOTS OF FISH!!! Thanks!!

Best ';walk-in'; snorkeling %26amp; inexpensive quiet hotel?

Tosue - We need to adust your view of the paradise that is the Florida Keys. Take a look at www.fla-keys.com and you%26#39;ll see it%26#39;s a beautiful, multi-facated place where you and your daughter can have a great time. But not the time I think you are envisioning.

The Keys are a series of islands, many of which are connected by a road that stretches over 125 miles from the main land to Key West. Just about everything is right along the road. We give directions by referring to mile markers (MM) and whether something is on the ocean side or bayside.

The only living coral reef in the contiental US is several miles off-shore. This means the really good snorkelling requires a boat trip. Key Largo has lots of operators that will take you to the reef. One of my favorites is the boat that is run from John Pennekamp State Park (MM104). www.pennekamppark.com Adults rates are $28.95, children under 18 are $23.95. I suspect you have your gear but you can rent Masks, fins and snorkel for $6 (the snorkel is yours to keep). Departures are at 9:00, noon, and 3:00. They have a coupon on the website.

Key Largo isn%26#39;t a city - more a collection of businesses along the road, with houses and hotels tucked in along and behind the road. Look through the tripadvisor hotel reviews for hotels in Key Largo and Islamorada (pronouned Eye-lamorada). You%26#39;ll find the perfect place for you and your daughter. Perhaps it will have kayaks on site that you can use. That%26#39;s a fun way to explore the Keys.

Now, to answer your question - you won%26#39;t find lots of fish snorkelling off the beach in the Keys. Some places that will have a few fish are the little beach area in Pennekamp State park, the rocks next to the beach at Founders Park in Islamorada (mm86 or so) and Bahia Honda (lower keys).

Best ';walk-in'; snorkeling %26amp; inexpensive quiet hotel?

Not too many ';walk in'; snorkeling spots in the Keys.

Lots of nice, small clean places to stay Key Largo and down the Keys. Islamorada has many places to stay and Marathon is very central.

I highly suggest taking a snorkel boat out and seeing one of the reefs. It%26#39;s easy and your 13 yr old should love it. Many business%26#39; to choose from throught the Keys.

Keys Divers in Islamorada

Deep Blue Dive in Marathon (Key Colony Bch)

Hall%26#39;s and Tilden%26#39;s, both in Marathon

Looe Key

Important safety note - - if you go snorkelling from the beach, state law requires that you have a dive flag with you. You may be able to rent one from a dive shop. They are available diver outlet stores for less than $20. I think the fine for snorkeling without one is $50 - and getting hit by a boat would be even worse!

Please don%26#39;t expect to see anything city like in the keys. It is an eclectic collection of shops, motels, art type places, small businesses all mixed in with nature. The best part is that it%26#39;s not a city. There is a k-mart but no wal-mart thank god.

There is no dressing up especially in July, expect it to be very hot. It you are there for the 4th there are some good fire works in the keys. Most people stay in Islamorada or Marathon and make day trips to the rest of the keys. You will find lots of secluded places in the keys.

Key West is the only place where everything is kind of all together in walking distance. It is worth a trip down there. It is not all drunken partiers unless you are there late at night, then you may find some who have had a few too many.

I think you will really enjoy your stay.