Butterfly Fish

This is a Butterfly Fish.  You see them all over the reef and other snorkeling spots around Key West.  Today we had a short run to clear vis in the back country. This area north of Key West revealed some beautiful coral heads. The Back Country is the Gulf side of Key West, usually very murky and green. We took advantage of the clear waters and had a great day of Key West snorkeling on the Gulf side for a change.

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Recently the vis on the Gulf side has been super clear, so we tried some backcountry snorkeling. Usually, if you go north out of Key West the water is murkier and greener than on the Atlantic side. For just a few days, however, it cleared up and we got to see what’s in the water out there. Turns out there are some nice coral patches that look very healthy. Take a look.

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Well, after the Vandenberg was sunk, we headed west, just past Sand Key.  The vis was 60 foot, at least, and we had a sweet spot for viewing all sorts of fish that showed up.  Most interesting was a big Remora.  Lots of speedos showed up, and they are great to watch because they travel in large schools and move fast.  The picture doesn’t capture that totally, so you’ll just have to go snorkeling yourself to see them!

Tax Day, and that means time to head out for some Key West snorkeling to soothe the soul.  Calm day, about 7 knots, water temperature is around 82 degrees.  Perfect!  These are pictures taken directly south of Key West, about five miles, in the area of the Nine Foot Stake.  It was about 30 feet deep.   We snorkeled and drifted with the boat, diving down for closer looks at coral, fish, and marine plants like the cabbage-ish stuff in the photo below.  We were close to two Key West dive boats, who were sending down tank divers.