For its world-class marine life and watersports, South Florida is a well-known tourism destination. It’s no surprise that Miami offers access to some of the top snorkeling spots in the country. The city features beautiful tourist attractions where visitors may go snorkeling and witness a variety of flora and animals.
Snorkeling in Miami is a highly popular outdoor activity attracting both locals and people from all over the world. The breathtaking waters and reefs make Miami, Florida, the perfect location to plan a snorkeling trip.
Miami is known for its miles of scenic beauty. Snorkeling off the beach is very mediocre, but just offshore, beneath the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, lies North America’s only barrier reef, which happens to be the world’s third-largest barrier reef. Come and take a moment to find out why the beautiful city of Miami, Florida is the perfect snorkeling destination for you.
Snorkeling In Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida, is one of the most beautiful cities in all of the United States. Every year people flock to the city from all different parts of the world to experience the wonders of Miami and its beautiful waters.
Miami is surrounded by water and is home to some of the most magnificent bays and reefs globally, making it an ideal snorkeling destination. The waters are a brilliant turquoise blue, allowing for excellent underwater visibility.
The Florida Reef Tract stretches 220 miles from Miami to the Dry Tortugas, passing through the Florida Keys and Key West. The National Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration protects the significant and unique environment surrounding the reef.
The sole requirement to go snorkeling is that you be a competent swimmer. Snorkeling is simple, relatively inexpensive, enjoyable, and arguably one of the best methods to explore the reef and mangrove islands.
The Best Places To Go Snorkeling Near Miami
To help you plan your next snorkeling adventure, here are some of the best places to go snorkeling in Miami, Florida:
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located between Key West and Miami. It is known for its incredibly clear turquoise blue waters, not to mention the magnificent turtles, all of which will undoubtedly captivate your attention as soon as you arrive.
Stingrays, multicolored angelfish, yellow snapper, parrotfish, red and yellow coral canyons, hogfish, and various other marine creatures can be seen while snorkeling here. You might catch a glance of the friendly Atlantic bottlenose dolphins if you are lucky enough!
The Biscayne National Park provides a 3.5-hour half-day and full-day snorkeling experience. The Park also offers powerboats that can take visitors to explore the harbor, wrecks, or reef, all depending on the weather.
At the Maritime Heritage Trail, snorkelers can explore exciting and beautiful sights like natural reefs and century-old shipwrecks.
Entry fees to the Biscayne National Park are $99 per person, which includes being accompanied by amicable and knowledgeable tour guides.
Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas National Park is undoubtedly one of most attractive spots near Miami if you are up for the trip. From Miami, you can take the bus or drive to Key West, take a ferry to Fort Jefferson than take a 2 hour 15 minute ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. It’s a trip you will need to plan for if your intention was to only stay in Miami, but it can be done.
The waters at Dry Tortugas National Park have a depth of roughly 5 to 15 feet. Because of this, it is a perfect location close-ish by Miami for snorkelers of all levels of experience. The beautiful coral reefs that spread from this region of the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean find their home at this snorkeling hotspot.
The vivid tropical fish and living corals will enchant you because they are the most colorful in Florida. Coral and marine life such as beautiful tropical fish, queen conchs, starfish, and more can be found. However, it is crucial to mention that the government prohibits the collection of all corals, whether alive or dead.
Entry tickets at the Dry Tortugas National Park are a little pricey, starting at $135 for children under 16 and $190 for adults 17 years and older. However, the silver lining is that this cost includes snorkels, masks, and fins provided by the Park.
Snorkeling & Diving Trip Companies
Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center
A snorkeling trip with Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center is an absolute must for those who enjoy adventures under the sea. As one of Florida’s oldest diving shops, located at the Miami Beach Marina, the Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center is known worldwide for being a pioneer in all elements of snorkeling and scuba diving education.
Don’t worry if you haven’t got a lot of experience in snorkeling. The center has roughly 64 years of snorkeling and scuba diving training experience and highly skilled instructors to help you to enjoy the perfect snorkeling adventure.
With options for both day and night snorkeling and gear rentals for those who do not have their own equipment, it is easy to understand why the Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center is the perfect destination for snorkelers.
Ocean Safari Diving
Ocean Safari Diving Adventures can take you on a half-day snorkel tour.
Snorkelers will have the opportunity to view a variety of marine animals throughout their underwater adventure. Possible sightings while snorkeling includes manta rays, devil rays, turtles, and whale sharks, to name a few.
With Ocean Safari Diving, you will even have the opportunity to swim with dolphins, which is described by many people as one of the most incredible experiences that you can have. What a fantastic story that would be to tell!
Ocean Safari Diving also offers some of the best diving equipment in all of Miami, so if you need some new equipment, they are certainly one of the best places to go.
Conclusion
So, now that you’re aware of some of the best spots, grab your fins, mask, and snorkel and get ready for a snorkeling adventure of a lifetime! Keep in mind that the weather and sea conditions will affect your snorkeling trip. Summer has consistently perfect weather and especially warm water, although snorkeling in Miami is possible all year.
