Outer Banks Snorkeling?

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Welcome to the board.
I am assuming you mean the Outer Banks of NC. If so, not really. No coral at all close to shore. Mostly bare sand although there are a couple of close in wrecks but depending on the vis which can range from 0 to 20 ft you may or may not be able to see anything. IMO your best bet is in the sound and even there 5-6 ft vis is about all you can expect. Take your fishing rod, sun screen and enjoy the beach.
 
What Herman said is pretty much true about snorkeling for all on the NC coast (incl Emerald Isle). There is nothing that approximates what you would expect if you have been snorkeling in the Caribbean. There are few spots where you can shore dive (mostly at high slack tide) but 10' of vis is considered very good. Hop on a boat, get to some blue water and you can find exceptional vis and a ton of tropical fish....but not right off the beach and not at depths for snorkeling.

Rich
 
It looks like the outer banks are not a good spot for snorkeling, what about West Palm beach? Ive also heard great thing about the Crystal River but I also want to do some ocean snorkeling. Any good places close to the Crystal River to see some coral?
 
OBX has some great snorkeling! No, it's not tropical fish and colorful stuff, but there are real, historic, and great wrecks you can head out to.

Talk to these guys:
http://www.beachdive.com/

Tell them Justin sent ya.
 
Snorkeling in the NC Outerbanks would definitely require some patience... the visibility is very low (even for diving), and there are no reefs close to shore.

However, if you're open for some wreck diving, there are PLENTY. Check out Outer Banks Divers in Nags Head- they dive a German U-boat on a daily basis.
 
Im not yet a certified diver and probably wont be until after a trip. Do you have to be certified to dive with a diving company? Its looking like we will be going to Florida, the places we are looking at are West Palm beach and St. Augustine. Ive heard in west palm beach the reef is about 75 ft from shore and great for snorkeling, any opinions on that? Also would you all recommend getting certified here at home (east TN) or getting certified from a dive place on our vacation?
 

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