Snorkel
Families, a group of friends, or couples enjoy the privacy of having the boat all to yourselves! See dolphin, tropical fish, sea turtles, skates, spotted rays, soft corals, sponges and marine plants in the clear waters of Key West. Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico (depending on the wind direction that day and the clarity reports).
Snorkeling is fun for everyone and we can give 1st timers a simple lesson in snorkeling. We provide buoyancy vests, and new equipment.

For so many people the water's edge is the limit of their activity and their knowledge. For the snorkeler, it is just the beginning, from this point on they are in their adopted element - the underwater world.

The world that lies beneath the surface holds few secrets for the snorkeler. As they explore this world they soon learn more about its inhabitants and the rich life to be found there. It is easy to see why people can become passionate about our underwater world and never cease to be fascinated by their discoveries there.

As an activity, snorkelling is within the reach of practically everyone. It does not ask for expensive or complicated equipment, and the basics are easy to learn. Most of us take our holidays in areas that are ideal for snorkeling; you just need to be able to reach the sea. It's also ideal for people of practically all age groups and is perfect as a family activity or with friends.

What do you need to go snorkeling?

Fins, a mask and a snorkel. Your fins and mask need to fit you and the best way to make sure they do is to go to your local dive shop and try them on there. Once you find ones that fit, buy them there. If not we have a selection on board .

The Mask
Your mask needs to fit your face. How do you tell if a mask fits? Hold it up to your face (don't put the strap behind your head) and inhale slightly through your nose. Let go of the mask and it should stay in place. Get a mask with a diaphragm or purge valve that lets you clear water from it. We also can provide masks on board.

Here's a tip for those of you with mustaches. To keep water from leaking into the mask when you're snorkeling, apply chapstick or vaseline (we have vaseline aboard) to your mustache and work it in with your fingers. The water will eventually leak in but this will keep it out for at least 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Here's what Dan Volker of the South Florida Dive Journal has to say about masks for snorkeling:
Low volume freediving masks cost about $50, and are infinitely better than scuba masks for freediving or snorkeling. They "seal" extremely well--its a much bigger problem to clear a leaky mask when snorkeling than when scuba diving. Good sources include Cressi, Omer, Esclapez, and Picasso---forget any name scuba brand except Cressi. Most scuba manufacturers know little ... about snorkeling. This ... gets passed along to most dive shops... The Fins

Fins should fit snugly when you try them on in the dive shop. Once you're in the water, the water lubricates them and keeps them from chafing. Don't buy open heel fins. That's like buying those skates that fit on your shoes instead of roller skates. Whatever fins you buy should be reasonable priced, there's no real reason to spend a lot of money on fins for snorkeling. We supply great fins aboard!

Snorkel
Get a snorkel with a purge diaphragm to remove water from the snorkel after you dive down to look at something particularly interesting. Snorkels can be bought over the internet or by mail-order since they truly come in one size fits all. It is best to get straight J's that allow a turn in the top part (allows the tube to point straight up if you are looking straight down in the water--and if you want to swim looking forward instead, you rotate the tube to allow a new position of the tube which effects a straight up snorkel top)

That's it. Mask, fins and snorkel and you're ready to go. Other accessories include a knife, wrist strap for your keys, duffel bag, dive flag, wet suit, duffel bag, camera... but the big three are mask, fins and snorkel. We suggest "keep it simple" and enjoy!

Want to take underwater pictures? You'll need a camera. Snorkeling Photography

One of the drawbacks to taking underwater pictures while snorkeling is that we don't have the time (or air) to wait for the perfect shot. We pretty much have to take what we get. So unless we're in very shallow water, macro photography is not something we get a lot of chances to do. We also aren't so deep that light is something we have to worry a lot about but we do need to worry about the bluish cast to our pictures.

Dolphin / Snorkel
The magic of seeing and interacting with dolphins in their natural habitat is one of the highlights of any vacation. Dolphin and snorkel trips include snorkeling the shallow reef of Cotrell Key, visiting the dolphin playground and observing the beautiful and playful dolphins.
"Dolphins have a universal appeal, symbolizing freedom, joy, grace and serenity , uplifting the spirits of many people all around the world"
Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They are warm blooded like man, and give birth to one calf at a time. At birth a bottlenose dolphin calf is about 90-130 cms long and will grow to approx. 4 metres, living up to 40 years.Dolphins carry their young inside their womb and gestation is about 12 months for a bottlenose. The baby emerges tail first, and will suckle from its mother for up to 4 years (a calf may stop suckling sooner depending on circumstances).
They are highly sociable animals, living in pods which are fairly fluid, with dolphins from other pods interacting with each other from time to time.
The baby will however stay with its mother for between 3-6 years, during which time it learns all about feeding techniques, social interaction and group foraging. Females are likely to stay within the family pod with their mother and sisters, though males will leave and form associations with other males.
Dolphins have defined home ranges, an area in which they will roam and feed. Though dolphins live in small groups called pods, these pods can be quite fluid and dolphins can be seen interacting with dolphins from other pods from time to time. If another dolphin is drowning, other dolphins will come to it's aid, supporting it with their bodies so it's blowhole is above the water allowing it to breathe. Dolphins main predators are sharks and unfortunately man, through direct killing for food,netting, pollution, and fishing. Dolphins spend a large part of their day looking for food, or actually feeding. They may either hunt alone, or together as a pod. They use their echolocation (sonar system) to locate fish by sending out a stream of pulses and clicks. Dolphins communicate by whistling or body language.

Sunset
A magical time in Key West is watching the sun set at the end of the world. With the clouds, blue sky and tropical setting, we have one of the most spectaular sunsets every evening. This is a wonderful time to snorkel or just cruise the island and enjoy the sites. Watching the sun melt into the Key West horizon is another excuse to visit key West time and time again.
For exact time of sunset for any date click here

CALL AQUA CHARTERS
(305) 304-4392
or email info@aquacharters.com