If you’re looking for a place where time seems to slow down, Key West is calling. Here, the island life happens on its own clock.
Visitors enjoy stunning sunsets, nighttime celebrations, endless ocean views, and fantastic cuisine. Key West is an escape from the everyday routine.
The islands also offer fantastic water recreation, from sailing to fishing to scuba diving. One of the best ways to experience nature is via a snorkeling tour.
If you’re looking for an adventure for the whole family or want to spend a romantic evening with your partner, Key West has snorkeling tours to fit every budget and experience. Let’s learn more!
Where Is Key West?
The entire Florida Keys forms the southernmost part of the continental United States and contains approximately 137 square miles. The islands divide the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.
Situated at the southernmost end of US Route 1, the Island of Key West is about 165 driving miles from Miami, Florida. It’s also about 90 miles north of Cuba.
The city of Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and two miles wide.
What Is So Special About Key West?
The location is one reason Key West is so unique. You’ve probably seen travelers with photos next to the Mile 0 sign in Key West. The famous Seven Mile Bridge connects Marathon, Florida, to the Lower Keys and is part of the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.
The tropical climate is another main draw. It’s like you’ve traveled to the Caribbean without leaving the country. The island life, warm weather, and water recreation bring millions of visitors to Key West each year.
Is Key West Good for Snorkeling?
The Florida Keys form a coral cay archipelago off the southern coast of Florida, which means the Keys are sandy, low-elevated islands sitting on a coral reef.
Because of this, snorkeling is one of the best ways to explore Key West. Encounter numerous marine animals and plants that call the warm waters of the Florida Keys “home.”
HOT TIP
Be a responsible tourist, don’t do these things that are killing our coral reefs!
Can You Snorkel in Key West Without a Tour?
You can snorkel in Key West without a tour, but there aren’t a lot of beach locations where the snorkeling opportunities lead to the marine life encounters most snorkelers want to experience.
You need to venture off-shore for the best snorkeling experiences. Most visitors book a snorkeling tour and take a boat out to sea.
Top Rated Snorkeling Tours in Key West
You won’t be disappointed if you choose one of these four snorkeling tours. Knowledgeable individuals who love providing great experiences for visitors operate the companies. Depending on your budget, there are options for everyone.
Snorkel Adventures Key West
Location: Snorkel Adventures Key West operate from multiple locations, so you’ll receive your departure location in your confirmation email.
About: Enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise or book a party cruise with night dancing. The most popular snorkel tour is the Catamaran Reef Snorkel, offering guests snorkeling time and open deck space to stretch out on the catamaran. Snorkel Adventures offers snorkeling-only tours, dolphin tours, and combo tours.
Tour Options: The 3-hour Catamaran Reef Snorkel Tour departs twice a day. The 6-hour Island Ting tour includes a full day of sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and more.
You could also try a 3-hour Wild Dolphin Encounter and Snorkel that departs thrice daily. A 4.5-hour Sail Snorkel Kayak tour provides coral reef snorkeling and kayaking to the mangrove Islands.
Finally, the Rum and Reggae tour allows guests to snorkel for about 90 minutes before returning to the catamaran for a beautiful sunset and unlimited soda, beer, water, and rum punch.
Cost: Starting at $39.95 for adult tickets
What Customers Are Saying: Snorkel Adventures Key West offers available tours from various companies in Key West. Check the specific company websites for reviews.
Danger Charters
Location: 245 Front St., Key West, FL 33040
About: Using replicas of the classic Florida Keys skipjacks of the 19th Century, Danger Charters sends guests out on 65-foot sailing schooners to enjoy the marine wilderness of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Each trip begins with a 45-minute sail west from Key West harbor, giving guests a beautiful view of mangrove islands, sand bars, and more.
Tour Options: Danger Charters offers a 4.5-hour Morning Sail, Snorkel & Kayak Excursion. For guests wanting to spend a day on the water, Danger Charters also offers a 6.5-hour Premium Backcountry Safari.
Finally, if you’re celebrating a special occasion or traveling with a group of friends, book a 4.5-hour Private Charter Sail, Snorkel & Kayak tour for up to 20 guests.
Cost: Starting at $79 for adult tickets
What Customers Are Saying: Sarah Tracy writes, “We went on the BEST adventure yesterday! Captain Danger Dan and his crew – Brianna, Logan, and Morgan – took us on the morning session 1/2 day sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking tour. The small group size allowed for more personal interaction, and this crew really made the effort to connect with all of us. They shared so much information about the Florida Keys, made sure we were well equipped for snorkeling and kayaking (and provided quality equipment for all of it), and even served us delicious snacks and plentiful beverages. This tour was the favorite part of our trip! If you are ever in Key West, don’t miss out on an adventure with Danger Charters!”
Key West Snorkeling Trips
Location: 201 William St., Key West, FL 33040
About: These Key West Snorkeling Trips change locations depending on the season, time of day, and weather, but you’ll always enjoy a top destination. These experienced guides are familiar with Key West and the best snorkeling locations.
Depending on the reef location, the initial sail may last up to 40 minutes. Snorkeling trips leave at 9 am and 1 pm daily on the Sandie Cat, a 65-foot Gold Coast luxury yacht.
Tour Options: There are four tour options. There is one at 9 am and one at 1 pm. There is also an 11 am Dolphin & Snorkel tour that takes guests to see a local dolphin pod before heading to a Key West coral reef. The last option is a 3 pm Sunset, Snorkel & Dolphin tour.
Cost: Starting at $40.95 for adult tickets
What Customers Are Saying: Key West Snorkeling Trips offers tours from various companies in Key West. Check the specific company websites for reviews.
Fury Water Adventures Key West
Address: They have numerous departure points depending on the tour.
About: Fury Water Adventures has been in business for almost 30 years. Not only do they provide extraordinary experiences for guests, but they’re also environmentally conscious.
Because they’re affiliated with “One Percent for the Planet,” the company donates 1% of its total yearly sales to help restore and conserve natural coral reefs.
Fury Water Adventures offers snorkeling tours, jet ski adventures, sunset cruises, and more.
Tour Options: The 3-hour morning snorkel trip departs at 9:30 am aboard a beautiful 65-foot catamaran. The 3-hour Reef and Ritas afternoon trip departs at 1 pm.
Or, you could try the Ultimate Adventure H2.0, which includes snorkeling, banana boat rides, jet ski rides, parasailing, and access to Key West’s largest ocean water park. Fury Water Adventures also offers additional snorkeling tours for even more options.
Cost: Starting at $53.95 for adult tickets
What Customers Are Saying: Miguel Rivera writes, “Steve and E were awesome. From the safety and tour brief, the gear, the jet skis, the route, the stops, the price, pretty much everything. … This will be our first stop on our next visit. Plus, it is not an everyday thing when you have a guide on top of a jet ski that is a CG Vet (Thank you for your service!). I’m completely sure that made the whole group feel safer. You guys are the best, also the admin guys in the front desk, smooth sailing to process everything from paperwork to download the pictures they take to my cell phone. Thank you for everything!!”
What Is the Best Time to Snorkel in Key West?
Although the summer offers hot and humid weather conditions, there really isn’t a wrong time to visit the Florida Keys. Snowbirds venture south for the winter and enjoy the pleasant temperatures, even if the water is a bit chillier during the winter months.
The winter crowds disperse around April, which means fewer crowds in April and May for snorkeling adventures. You must always be aware of the potential for severe weather during hurricane season.
Is Snorkeling in Key West Worth it?
Key West offers some of the best snorkeling in the world, not just in the United States. The coral reefs, including North America’s only living coral barrier reef, are beautiful. It’s truly a paradise.
Encounter colorful fish, stony and soft corals, sponges, snails, crabs, lobsters, rays, sea turtles, dolphins, birds, and more wildlife. What a fun way to spend a half day or a full day with your family and friends!
When will you book your Key West snorkeling tour?
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