Well, it’s been blowing almost 30 knots for days now.  March is windy in Key West, bad for casual snorkelers and fishing.  Bad for anyone who wants to go out in a boat.  We are land-locked, going stir crazy.  This is what it’s like to live in Key West and not ever go out on the water.  How do people do it?  The water, the coral reef, the marine life…that’s what makes Key West extra special and exciting.

We went in search of land-based adventure, and found a super place to explore on Geiger Key.  It’s called Boca Chica Beach, around mile marker 10.  Take a right onto Boca Chica Road and go as far as you can, then park and get out.  You’ll walk along a narrow strip of rocky wild beach facing the Atlantic, in front of a military fence that keeps civilians off the base.

Boca Chica Beach is unspoiled and untouched, except by nature.  Hurricanes have wiped out a lot of the beach and moved things around.  There are rocks everywhere between the beach and the water:

Boca Chica Beach near Key West

If you park and get out, walk the beach and eventually you’ll come across a boat washed up on the beach.  It’s a Cuban freedom boat.  Next to it there is a stone fortress.  Some kind of  artsy project built to shelter kids or hobbits, it’s a winding, fabulous network of rooms, passageways and trinkets woven into the driftwood walls.  Climb up on the roof for a good view of the beach and ocean beyond.  We didn’t know what to make of it, but what a great discovery.  The explorers in all of us were definitely satisfied.  Take a look at this:

Cuban Freedom Boat on Boca Chica Beach

And here’s the hobbit hut.

The Stone Hobbit Hut on Geiger Key beach

So, you want to try some Key West snorkeling? If you’re buying your own gear, or even renting it, these valuable tips can make all the difference between a great day on the water and a day spent watching your snorkel mask fill up with water.

Number one: get a well-fitting mask. If your mask doesn’t fit right, then don’t try to snorkel until you either adjust it or buy a better one. $40 is enough to spend to get a good mask for Key West snorkeling. When choosing a mask, make sure you can keep the mask on without the strap. This means you can make a seal on your face with the mask, by breathing in through your nose. The seal is key, so make sure there’s no strand of hair between the mask and your skin, or you won’t make a good seal. Make sure you can tighten the straps without hurting your face too much. Speaking of straps, you can buy a replacement strap for your mask, which is not made of rubber so you don’t rip out your hair when you go snorkeling. These straps feature a wide band made of fabric, not plastic or rubber.

Get a good snorkel too, if you’re serious about Key West snorkeling. This is important because after diving down, and then coming to the surface, a good snorkel will not get any water in it, and you can breathe through it immediately after surfacing. No need to empty the tube out, because it will be dry if you have a good snorkel. There are mid-range ones for $25 and then hte $45 ones are really good. This is for beginners only. If you get better at Key West snorkeling, you will want to get something more aerodynamic to reduce drag. Most beginners and people just going for some light Key West snorkeling might like the dry snorkel.

For sun protection and protection from jellyfish, wear a long-sleeve rashguard, especially for Key West snorkeling where the sun is strong. You will be in the water for a long time and you’ll be in Key West, so those two reason right there should be enough to justify the $25 to $30 a rashguard will cost you. Go to Divers’ Direct on Simonton Street since they have the biggest selection. It just happens to be the biggest dive store in Key West, that’s all.

This winter has been a cold one.  It was in the 40’s one night, but it didn’t quite make a record.  It was in the 50s for a while at night, but now when I wake up it’s usually about 61 degrees F.  For Key West, that’s cold.  Even during the day the temperature hasn’t been able to climb out of the sixties.  And the wind.  20 to 25  knots for days on end!  We’re just hoping for a 15 knot day, which by comparison is calm.

Not getting out there for spearfishing makes us feel landlocked and stir crazy so we go lobstering in front of Key West when it’s too rough to head out to the reef or the bar.  The thing is, because the water in front of Key West is shallow, like 15 feet or so, it is colder now that the nights are colder.  The water temperatures on the reef are actually warmer, but we can’t get out there lately because of the rough waters.  You need a good wetsuit, preferably 5mm and your hood is just about mandatory because of the cold.  My new wetsuit ROCKS, and I haven’t been cold all winter.

So a little Key West lobstering never hurt anyone on a windy day.  Best part is dinner!