Diving / Snorkeling
With North America’s only living coral barrier reef stretching alongside the length of The Florida Keys (located just five miles offshore) diving and snorkeling is some of the most diverse in the world, attracting novice and expert divers from across the globe. The Florida Keys boast the first undersea park in history – John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, a location also known as the “Diving Capital of the World.”
Key Largo
Key Largo has been protected from spear fishing and coral collection for four decades and is an integral portion of the 2,800-square-nautical-mile Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary six miles offshore. Key Largo also features six unique Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPA’s) where even hook and line fishing is prohibited.
- Key Largo snorkeling/diving sites include: Spiegel Grove (wreck dive), Christ of the Abyss, Molasses Reef, Benwood Wreck, The Elbow, Bibb and Duane
Quiescence Diving Services, Inc.
(305) 451-6300
Mile Marker 103.5 Oceanside
102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Explore local reefs, wrecks and premier dive sites of your choice with Quiscence Diving Services specializing in personalized charters whether private or in a small group of no more than six.
Website: keylargodiving.com
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
(305) 451-6300
Mile Marker 102.5 Oceanside
102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Pennekamp Park preserves a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. Catch a glimpse of a variety of tropical marine life in or out of the water aboard their glass-bottom boat and snorkeling/diving charters. Visitors have access to 50 miles of natural mangrove channels in the surrounding area with kayak and paddle board rentals. You can rent a boat or bring your own and make use of their launch ramp, trailer storage and wet slip services.
- Services include boat rentals, kayak and paddle board rentals, fishing, swimming, picnicking, snorkeling, diving, glass bottom boat tours, wet slips, trailer storage, launch ramp
Website: pennekamppark.com
Islamorada
Islamorada offers a wide variety of shallow coral reefs, mini walls, shipwrecks, and even an underwater habitat for scientific research, the Aquarius.
- Islamorada snorkeling/diving sites include: The Eagle (wreck dive), Davis Reef, Alligator Reef (marked by a 136-foot-tall lighthouse), Conch Reef.
Reef Marine Inc.
(305) 684-9031
Mile Marker 85.5 Oceanside
85501 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Premier choice for a wide-range of activities such as offshore, backcountry and reef fishing charters, boat rentals, guided snorkeling tours, sunset cruises and water sport equipment rentals including kayaks and paddle boards.
- Services include boat rentals, snorkeling/sunset charters, and kayak/paddle board rentals
Website: www.skithekeys.com
Clearly Unique Charters
(305) 900-6498
Mile Marker 83.5 Oceanside
Whale Harbor, 83413 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Enjoy a unique charter experience during a visit offshore to the sandbars in combination with a snorkeling trip or sunset cruise (some services are specific to either of their Key West and Islamorada locations). Clearly Unique Charters has everything you’ll need to make the most of your time on the water with use of clear kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, music and beverages included in their package offers.
Website: clearlyuniquecharters.com
Sea Monkeys Water Sports
(305) 664-4555
Mile Marker 80.5 Bayside
80461 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Dive with no more than six passengers at one or more of the many premier reef or wreck dive sites aboard the best-equipped dive boat in Islamorada. Their knowledgeable staff also offers guided tours to explore local landmarks such as Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key accessible only by boat or by kayak through the surrounding area and mangrove channels.
Website: seamonkeydivers.com
Robbie’s
(305) 664-8070
Mile Marker 77.5 Bayside
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Voted the No. 1 place every tourist should visit, Robbie’s of Islamorada is a top-rated attraction with a variety of activities to choose from at their facility. There’s something for everyone to do including hand-feeding massive tarpon, shopping throughout the open-air market, diving, snorkeling and specialty fishing charters, boating, parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more.
- Services include boat rentals, sunset, snorkeling, diving, and fishing charters, water sports equipment rentals including kayaks and paddle boards, parasailing, hand-feeding tarpon, and more
Website: robbies.com
Duck Key
Solé Watersports
(305) 209-9959
Mile Marker 61 Oceanside
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL 33050
Spend your afternoon lounging at the Grassy Key sandbar or snorkeling Coffin’s Patch where you’re sure to see an abundance of marine life, then enjoy an evening watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico during a private or group excursion. Solé Watersports also offers kayak, paddle board and snorkel gear rentals.
Website: solewatersports.com
Marathon
Marathon’s reefs offer great variety in coral formations and fish life. The crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean reveal a marine wilderness comprised of an extensive spur-and-groove coral complex and numerous well-developed patch reefs. Each reef is populated by a vast array of Caribbean tropical fish and invertebrates, with the fascinating addition of both modern and historical shipwrecks to complete the tremendous sport dive appeal of the region.
- Marathon snorkeling/diving sites include: Adelaide Baker, Sombrero Reef, Coffin’s Patch, Delta Shoals and The Thunderbolt
Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center
(305) 743-2444
Mile Marker 53 Oceanside
11833 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center is a one-stop shop for a variety of services and activities including dive instruction, diving, snorkeling and fishing charters, specialty cruises, boat rentals and water sport equipment rentals such as kayaks and paddle boards.
- Services include boat rentals, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sunset charters as well as water sports equipment rentals including kayaks and paddle boards
Website: captainhooks.com