Snorkeling Datura Avenue Snorkel Trail

Just a short drive north of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers what some consider one of the best shore dives in Florida. It's about a block south of Anglin's Pier at the east end of East Commercial Boulevard. Water depths run 12 to 18 feet.

Underwater visibility of 25 feet is not unusual around high tide. There is metered parking north and south of the pier (bring quarters). Snorkeling around the pier is not allowed. This dive spot is an artificially constructed "shipwreck" about 200 feet off the beach offering replica cannons, ballast piles, and a large anchor.

"There are three reef systems off Lauderdale-by=the-sea, depending how far out you wanna go. Don`t forget to bring dive flag even if snorkeling and watch out for fishing lines off Anglin's pier. We`ve seen really thick schools of fish, huge Tarpon and huge Nurse sharks in 2 feet of water. Many, many rays, even close to the beaches. You can snorkel from dawn to dusk there without ever coming out of the water. Some of the reef is high enough to float over and look into."