seadaug:
SNIP...I'm heading to Ft. Lauderdale for a quick week end with a non "water-baby" friend. Can any of you tell me of any jetties or other spots for getting in a quick snorkel close to the downtown area?
Sure, but first a note... snorkeling here isn't like many places because though our reefs are shallow (10' to 20') they require some swimming to approach. I always suggest people take a float rather than a bouy. The yellow donut-type with the horiontal flag works great because you can rest on it and throw frozen bottles of water into the hole.
Not many people know about the great reef ledges right off the Marriott at the east end of the 17th Street Causeway. To get there, drive (or take the bus!) east and follow A1A as it swings north. Park to your right in the first public lot you see, at the south end. Walk a little south onto the Marriott's "beach" (it's public) and you're in the area.
I haven't been diving there for a couple of years, but the Marriott did a FANTASTIC discovery dive for Marvel - and look at her NOW! We can't get her out of the water. It's $150 if you have the cash and your "non water baby" will enjoy it, I promise. Snorkeling, of course, is free.
It takes a bit of swimming to get to our reefs and ledges, as I said, but they're fairly close in there as I recall - I'm not going to guess how much closer than the usual 150 yards but it's less.
The other spot I highly recommend is Lauderdale by the Sea, just south of the Commercial Blvd (Angler's) pier. Park at the pier or on Datura (one street south) and head into the water about 100 - 200 yards. The reef there is very close-in and has a lot of life - I've seen snorklers hovering over large morays, turtles, rays and of course all of our usual fish. In fact, I snorkel there often rather than use a tank.
Unfortunately, the hurricane season has taken its toll and a lot of the fans and georgonians have been blown off the "honeycombs" that were getting sparce enough LAST year. If you have a nice, clear day with calm water 2 days beforehand, though, you will enjoy yourself.
If you try it, make sure you post how 17th Street looks! It may be worthwhile to do a group trip there, folks.