Exploring Miami - Golden Beach Boulder Reef Snorkeling

Golden Beach Boulder Reef Snorkeling

Sometimes I forget I live in Miami. In daily routine I forget that the breathtaking turquoise ocean is just minutes away from my apartment. I forget how great it is to feel the waves with your bare feet, to inhale salty air and to enjoy the touch of hot sand on your skin… Days like yesterday bring so much joy and happiness and remind how lucky we are to live in such paradise!

What most people dream of having once a year during their two weeks’ vacations – we can have every day just a few steps away. Isn’t that amazing? I think so! Being originally from Siberia (yes, it is cold there, very Very cold), I’ve always had a dream of living somewhere in the South, with palm trees instead of pine trees and vines on the walls instead of icicles on the roofs. I guess my dream came true – I live in Miami and I love it here! Don’t get me wrong though – I love my home town Tomsk likewise. It’s just that kind of love which prefers a long distance relationship :)


Ok, enough of sentimentality and down to business. I’ve lived in North Miami for 10 years now (so I guess I can call myself a local) but I’ve never known that we have reefs so close to the beach here! Beautiful and full of marine life reefs, just like at Key Largo, only for free and easily  accessible by swimming from the beach.

Golden Beach Boulder Reef is an artificial reef which was created in 2005 of limestone boulders. They are arranged in three patches of reefs, about 40 feet apart, and located right behind the Ramada Resort in Sunny Isles Beach. Find the exact location and more details here.

Sunny Isles Beach

Regalia Miami

Miami Beach

Sunny Isles Beach

Golden Beach Boulder Reef

Miami Snorkeling

Miami Snorkeling

We had tons of fun snorkeling so close to the beach! While this reef is not very big, there is plenty to see and to explore. The orange corals are very bright and provide nests for sea urchins' families. The fish is abundant, only not used to snorkelers and shy - so you have to chase it to take a picture. Next time we’ll go early in the morning to catch it asleep! :) We spotted two huge sting rays as well.

Snorkeling in Miami

Golden Beach Boulder Reef Snorkeling

Golden Beach Boulder Reef Snorkeling

Stingray

Miami Sailboat

Miami Beach

Miami Sailboat

Sooooo -  if you visit Miami, I highly recommend snorkeling at Golden Beach Boulder Reef:
  • Easy to access
  • NO crowds of noisy tourists
  • And it is completely FREE!

Oh, and don’t forget to appreciate the place you live at (even if it’s no Miami :) In our wanderlust we tend to forget about the beauty and wonderful things we have around us and neglect cities, towns, villages, islands, hills and mountains we have at our doorsteps… I guess what I am trying to say - love your home! I am sure it is wonderful!


My favorite place in my home is the balcony and the view. It is just so cozy in here – I love you, home! 

Atstarfish Lifestyle Blog

Atstarfish Lifestyle Blog

Thanks for visiting my space!

Read about Snorkeling at Key Largo Here

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    CONVERSATION

    8 comments:

    1. This looks like SO much fun! If I ever find myself in Miami I definitely need to do this, thanks for sharing! :)

      http://www.mintnotion.com

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    2. Yay!!! I am happy to share! :)

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    3. What an amazing balcony space to call home! I didn't grow up near the water so I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to have people's holiday activities at your disposal all the time! I agree it's so important to take advantage of all that there is to offer wherever it is that we live. :-)

      Silly Medley: Lifestyle and Travel

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    4. Oh yes, this balcony survived so many gatherings and parties. I'm pretty sure it holds some fun memories! :D

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    5. It's so easy to get use to your home town and forget what it has to offer you! It looks like you had a fun time together and all of your photos are beautiful.

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      1. Thank you, Alexandria! You are so right - we get used to where we live and simply stop noticing how wonderful those places are. We should put a reminder on our calenders - time to show some love and appreciation for your home/city/neighborhood etc :)

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    6. Those are some cool underwater photos! Did you use a go pro? I also love snorkeling and scuba diving so I was thinking of investing in one - not sure yet though!

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      1. Thank you, Naila! Yes, we used Go Pro 4. Gotta tell you - I absolutely love it! I am still trying to grasp the skills and knowledge of making good videos (and to edit them as well), but photos are no-brainer and turn out really nice! I use photoshop to make them brighter though - other than that no edits or tricks used :)

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