05-15-2025, Florida Key West Trip 3/27 – 6/30 2025, 96 Days, 7986 Miles, 44 Stops

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

05-15-2025, Florida Key West Trip 3/27 – 6/30 2025, 96 Days, 7986 Miles, 44 Stops

15 May 2025, Catamaran Echo Snorke Day, Key West, Florida

Jeeps- 6

Today is Catamaran Echo Snorkel Day. Our snorkel cruise was scheduled for 1:30 PM today.

The Navy jets woke me up. We are close to a Key West Navy Station and see jets flying in and out during the day. Barry says some are F15s. They are loud, so we know when to look for them. It's cool seeing them circle above us. I think they were practicing takeoffs and landings today. They must have made a dozen circles above us. A few locals have informed us that residents often become tired of it, and some have even relocated due to it. Key West has the Navy base and the International Airport flying over it.

We dropped off our belongings at the Echo early and headed to the Boathouse Bar & Grill for some small plates and margaritas. Once done, we took the short walk to our catamaran and boarded. We waited for a couple who went to the wrong boat on Stock Island. Once they arrived, we took off. Our captain is Joel, and the first mate is Mika.

It took us about an hour, but we finally found a pod of dolphins. I spotted them, and the captain turned the boat toward them. They were so cool to see. They came right up to the boat, and two even turned upside down for us. They were so fun to watch. They were very playful. The water was only about eight to ten feet deep, so we could easily see the dolphins swimming around—one of the day's highlights.

It took us about an hour and a half to get to the spot for snorkeling. The weather was beautiful, and the water was an aqua blue. I loved looking over the side and seeing the ocean floor. The water is only about ten feet deep, eight miles out. We were going to a reef that this boat usually sails to.

We finally made it to our snorkeling spot. Mika, the first mate, gave us our snorkel lessons and passed out snorkel equipment to everyone. Barry and I were the first in the water. It took me a few minutes to get acclimated, and Barry stuck with me until he was sure I was fine. Off we went. I could not believe the number of fish we saw: Angelfish, Grouper, Parrot Fish, Yellowtail Snapper, and many others. Mika was snorkeling near me and said he saw a Puffer Fish go under a rock. He tried to get him out, but Puffer had nothing to do with it.

Barry and I were the last ones to return to the boat. Everyone else boarded the boat, but we stayed out longer than everyone else. I did not want to go in, but it was time. A fruit tray and drinks were waiting for us when we settled back in the boat. The fruit tasted so good. The return trip was so relaxing.

Once back at the marina, we decided to grab some small plates and a margarita at the Boathouse Bar & Grill. After Jan and I went next door to our favorite store, Local Color. We bought a few things and headed home. We were all tired and called it a night.

What a fantastic day.

There are not many photos of this trip because all the cool stuff was underwater.