The state of Florida boasts of a staggering 1350 miles of coastline, and it is the best place if you happen to be a water sports enthusiast or wish to explore some local underwater flora and fauna. There are some of the best snorkeling places in Florida because the state has numerous rivers and waterfalls, which only accentuates its appeal. Whether you are an amateur or an expert, this list has compiled the top 7 snorkeling in Florida where you can have a blast.
Table of Contents
List of Florida’s 7 Best-Rated Spots to Go Snorkeling
1. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
| USP | First Undersea Park in the United States |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Snorkeling Tours, Scuba Diving Tours, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Equipment Rentals, Glassbottom Boat Tours, Powerboat Rentals, Boat Slips, and Mooring Rentals, Paddleboarding, Beach Rentals, Camping, Fishing, Swimming, Picnicking, Restrooms, Showers, Canoeing, Kayaking, Wheelchairs Available, Free Wifi. |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 8 am to Sunset |
| ADDRESS | 102601 Overseas Highway (MM 102.5), Key Largo, FL 33037, United States |
| PHONE | 305-451-6300 |
| info@pennekamppark.com | |
| WEBSITE | http://pennekamppark.com/ |
Encompassing a staggering 70-nautical-square-mile under the ocean, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the United States’ first undersea park, established in 1963. It is among the best places to snorkel in Florida, and the park was inaugurated It is one of the greatest snorkelling spots in Florida, and the park was established to conserve the country’s only living coral reef. It is this coral reef and its adjoining marine life that attracts tourists from all over the world, making it the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys.
Popular activities in the park’s water include canoeing and kayaking and fishing in specified locations. Picnicking, strolling on small paths, and swimming in the ocean are all options for visitors. At the Visitor Center, there’s a theater with nature films and a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. Campsites with full facilities as well as those for youth and groups are both offered. Wheelchairs for the beach are provided free of charge.
“On the Penny Camps Snorkeling trip, my family and I had a blast today! Our 2.5-hour excursion to Dry Rocks included a visit to the magnificent Christ Statue. Our hosts, Captain and Chris, were wonderful; we felt completely protected and secure on the boat because of them. The weather was perfect, and the water was crystal-clear! It was the best beach snorkeling in South Florida.”
2. Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring
| USP | One of North America’s Most Prehistoric Places |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling Equipment Rentals, Reservations of Cabins, R.V Park, Tent Campgrounds, Heated Swimming Pool, Restrooms, Showers, Picnic Table Reservations, Charcoal Grills, Cabanas, Pavilions |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm Friday – Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm (Last water entry at 4:00 pm) (Main Gate Closes 5:00 pm) |
| ADDRESS | 5390 Northeast 180th Avenue, Williston, FL 32696, United States |
| PHONE | 352-528-3344 |
| diveshop@devilsden.com | |
| WEBSITE | http://www.devilsden.com/ |
This area was purchased in 1993, and it was successively converted from a modest scuba diving location into a world-class tourist destination. The park is home to the Devil’s Den Spring, one of the most prehistoric places in the entire United States. The University of Florida Museum of Natural History includes several Pleistocene-era fossils found in this underground spring inside a dry cave. These include numerous extinct animal species, and it offers the best snorkeling in North-Central Florida.
Steam rises from the chimney opening on frigid winter mornings, giving it the name of Devil’s Den by the first residents who lived there. With its crystal-clear water, year-round water temperatures of 72 degrees, ancient rock formations with stalactites, and 33 million-year-old fossil beds, Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring is one of the best springs in Florida for snorkeling. However, currently, snorkeling in Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring can be done by reservation only.
“It was an amazing experience. We visited from 11 am to 1 pm and encountered very few people, as well as excellent lighting. It was one of the best springs to snorkel in Florida. The staff was courteous and helpful, and the surrounding natural scenery was just breathtaking. It’s magnificent in person, and the photos can’t do it justice. It was well worth the journey.”
3. Fury Key West Snorkeling
| USP | Located at North America’s Only Living Coral Reef |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Snorkeling, Dolphin Watch, Glassbottom Boat, Sunset Cruise, Parasailing, Jet Ski Tours, Bike Rentals, Golf Cart Rentals, Island Adventure, Ultimate Adventure, Private Charters, Wedding Charters |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 8 am to 8 pm |
| ADDRESS | 241 Front St, Key West, FL 33040, United States |
| PHONE | Fury Reservations: Toll-Free: 888-976-0899 Text: 305-930-8161 Private Charters: |
| callcenter@furycat.com | |
| WEBSITE | https://www.furycat.com/ |
Fury Key West Snorkeling was first established in 1987, and their expertly maintained fleet is adept at keeping the best safety precautions for their customers. It has the best snorkeling in Key West Florida, offering reef snorkeling, parasailing, jet-skiing, and banana boat rides. Additionally, Fury Key West Snorkeling includes breakfast, lunch, and unlimited beverages to make their visitor’s experience memorable.
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Booking a Glassbottomed Boat Tour is a great way to witness marine life without getting wet. Additionally, the sunset cruise is a breathtaking experience that lets travelers witness the incredible Key West sunset. Fury Key West Snorkeling is dedicated to preserving natural marine life and leaves a minimum ecological footprint.
“Our captain, Anne, was wonderful while snorkeling; she and her mate, Nick, enjoyed interacting with the other passengers. They provided useful advice and shared extensive knowledge about the reef with us. When my friends and I went parasailing, we had a blast because our instructors were friendly and funny the entire time. This place had thebest snorkeling in Florida.”
4. Destin Snorkel
| USP | SNUBA Adventure Company Offering Snorkel, Dolphin Watching & Firework Shows |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Two Stop Snorkeling Tour, SNUBA, Dolphin Cruise, Sunset Cruise, Fireworks Cruise, Private Group Tours, Snorkeling Equipment, Shelling, Reservations Available |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8 am to 6 pm Saturday – Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm |
| ADDRESS | 66, In the Harborwalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd. Unit F, Destin, FL 32541, United States |
| PHONE | 850-269-2329 |
| info@destinsnorkel.com | |
| WEBSITE | https://www.destinsnorkel.com/ |
Destin Snorkel offers a wide variety of amenities to choose from, including Two Stop Snorkeling, Dolphin/Sunset, SNUBA®, Shelling/Dolphin, and Fireworks tours, and it is the best snorkeling in Destin. Visitors can dive up to 20 feet underwater in their SNUBA tours and witness marine life not accessible through snorkeling. Harborwalk Village pays tribute to the military with music, dance, and a spectacular firework display onboard the Firework Cruise on holiday weekends and Thursday nights from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August.
Destin Snorkel offers the best snorkeling in Florida Gulf and thus has a high demand. Hence, space on Destin Snorkel’s fireworks cruise is minimal, therefore making a reservation in advance is highly advised. Destin Snorkel has been the recipient of Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for 7 years straight since 2013 and holds the award for being the SNUBA Operator of the Year in 2014.
“This snorkeling excursion offers excellent value for money, and it lasts for a reasonable time. We saw dolphins and snorkeled with a manatee while on vacation. We went on the three-hour, two-stop trip, which included a snorkel stop where we could swim with the fish and a less crowded one to look for shells. The pontoon boat is a lot of fun to ride in, and they appear to have no problem seeing dolphins along the route.”
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5. Reef Roamer Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Trips
| USP | 50 Feet Catamarans for Snorkeling |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Snorkeling Trips, Sunset Cruise, Sailboat Weddings, Reservations, Private Snorkeling Charters |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm |
| ADDRESS | 90311 (below Old Tavernier Restaurant), Old Highway & Plantation Dr, Tavernier, FL 33070, United States |
| PHONE | 305-453-0110 |
| reefroamer@snorkelsail.com cadams@snorkelsail.com |
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| WEBSITE | https://snorkelkeylargo.com/ |
Reef Roamer Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Trips is a family-run business that provides a great snorkeling experience for both amateurs and experts alike. Their large 50-foot sailing catamarans were explicitly designed for snorkeling and day excursions. It is the best place to snorkel in the Florida Keys, and the catamarans offer a pleasant trip out to Islamorada’s coral reefs, Pennekamp Undersea Park, and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, which are all only a short drive south of Miami.
Three excursions are available every day at 9:00 am, 12:30 pm, and at sunset, all of which are included in the ticket price. They are also able to arrange private charters and tours for large groups. They also have expert trainers to teach visitors how to snorkel if they are new at it.
“One of the highlights of my Key Largo vacation was this tour. It was an absolute pleasure to meet Grant and Captain Terry; they were both really kind and accommodating. Everything was supplied, even the tools. We visited two reefs, and I had the incredible experience of seeing a sea turtle very closely. I’d want to give this review a pro/con ratio, but I’m at a loss for words. If you’re thinking about taking this tour, there’s no reason to keep looking. It gets a perfect score of five stars, and I highly recommend this.”
6. Fun 2 Dive – Swim with Manatees
| USP | Manatee Encounters in Crystal River, Florida |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Manatee Tours, Eco Airboat Adventure, Salt River Kayak Rentals, SUP Rentals, Gift Cards Available, Free Parking, All-Inclusive Snorkeling Gear, Scalloping Trips, Reservations Available |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 6:30 am to 5 pm |
| ADDRESS | 135 NE 3rd St., Crystal River, FL 34429, United States |
| PHONE | 866-922-3483 352-228-2279 |
| info@fun2dive.com | |
| WEBSITE | https://www.fun2dive.com/ |
First established in 1995, Fun 2 Dive Manatee Tours has led snorkelers into the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge with their expert Manatee Eco-tour guide service. Chrystal River has one of the best snorkeling beaches in Florida. It is the best place to snorkel with manatees in Florida,and visitors can see wild manatees in their native environment on our tours conducted from a boat. During the summer, they provide seasonal scalloping trips where visitors can snorkel while harvesting scallops. Visitors can also rent kayaks and SUPs, and Fun 2 Dive also provides guided tours.
With their daily classic, semi-private, and luxury VIP tours, Fun 2 Dive Manatee tours attract thousands of visitors from all across the globe who visit to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They provide all-inclusive tours, which means that they provide snorkeling equipment at no extra charge. All of this makes them one of the best places to snorkel in Central Florida. Fun 2 Dive Manatee Tours was the recipient of Tripadvisor’s 2018 Certificate of Excellence.
“Both our captain Steve and our tour guide Jake were fantastic! Although there were only three manatees initially, our guides were able to find the pack and gave us an incredible tour. It was amazing to see a mother with her newborn. Both of them were really helpful and well-informed. The trip was fantastic, and I’d definitely suggest it because this is one of the best snorkeling spots in Florida! The next time we’re in town, we’ll try to do another tour with you!”
7. Island Boat Adventures LLC
| USP | Dolphin Watching & Egmont Key Island Snorkeling Tour |
| PRODUCT/SERVICES | Snorkeling, Shelling, All-Inclusive Snorkeling Gear, Wild Bottlenose Dolphins, Finding Shark Teeth, Sunset Cruise, Egmont Key Adventure, Wildlife Sighting, Picnic on Island, Private Charters, Gift Cards, Reservations |
| OPERATIONAL HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 7 am to 8 pm |
| ADDRESS | 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, United States |
| PHONE | 727-871-2628 |
| info@islandboatadventures.com | |
| WEBSITE | https://islandboatadventures.com/ |
Island Boat Adventures LLC offers the best snorkeling in St Petersburg. They provide Private Charters for private family excursions, organizational groups, business events, wedding parties, bachelor & bachelorette parties, and birthday parties, among others. Egmont Key Island is the destination of their daily excursions, which is located in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, only a few miles off the coast of Tampa Bay, is the picturesque island of Egmont Key. It can only be accessed by boat, and it is one of the hidden gems of the Florida State Park and the Bay Area.
Some of the sights you may see on your journey include wild Bottle nosed Dolphin pods, giant manatees, stingrays, rolling Tarpon, numerous native birds, Gopher Tortoises, the Egmont Key Lighthouse, the soldier cemetery, and the ruins of old Fort Dade. Island Boat Adventures LLC was the recipient of Trip advisor’s 2017 Certificate of Excellence.
“Thank you very much for so much fun! Our boat captains were fantastic; the kids had a wonderful time. I discovered a starfish and a sand dollar, and my daughter found a shark’s teeth. I highly recommend Island Boat Adventures LLC!”
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