Snorkeling the Red Reef
Red Reef is named for its snorkeling: a rock jetty runs out from the beach and 20 artificial reefs sit just offshore in about 5 to 10 feet of water, close enough for beginners and kids to swim to from the sand.
What's here
- A snorkel trail with a jetty from the beach and 20 artificial reefs.
- Reefs a few yards offshore in about 5 to 10 feet of water, depending on the tide.
- Sergeant majors, parrotfish, bar jacks, porgies, snappers and the occasional barracuda or stingray.
- Lifeguards on the beach during the day.
Good to know
Snorkel near the lifeguards and with a buddy, and carry a dive flag or bright float. Don't touch, stand on or take anything from the reef. Calm, clear mornings with little wind are best; skip it when the surf is up or flags show strong currents.
The reef
The reef is man-made: large limestone rocks placed in shallow water off the beach, plus a jetty that runs out from the sand. The city's snorkel trail now counts 20 artificial reefs, and a restoration project added 15 limestone boulder modules to the original six to give marine life more habitat. Because the rocks sit in about 5 to 10 feet of water, you can float over them without diving.
Beach widening has buried parts of the original reef under sand over the years, so what you see can change with the seasons and the tides. On a clear day, the fish make up for it.
What you'll see
Expect schools of sergeant majors with their black-and-yellow stripes, colorful parrotfish, bar jacks, spottail pinfish and molly millers around the rocks, along with silver porgies and snappers. Snorkelers also report stingrays and the occasional great barracuda, which looks fierce but leaves people alone.
Conditions and safety
Visibility is best on calm days with light onshore or offshore wind, usually in the morning before afternoon breezes stir up sand. Check the lifeguard flags first: don't snorkel when red or double red flags are flying. Wear fins, use a bright float or dive flag, and stay in sight of the lifeguard tower. Strong swimmers only should head to the outer reefs, and children should stay within arm's reach.
Tips for beginners
Practice breathing through your snorkel in knee-deep water first. Enter from the sand rather than climbing on the jetty rocks, which are slippery. Use reef-safe sunscreen, wear a rash guard, and bring water shoes for the rocky edges.
See the rest of the park
Snorkeling is one of 6 featured areas at Red Reef Park.