Islamorada Snorkeling: TOP Tours, Locations, & More

Are you planning a trip to the Florida Keys and interested in snorkeling in Islamorada?

I’ve been snorkeling from Key Largo to Key West, and I can confidently say Islamorada has some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys. With its various shades of turquoise waters, unique underwater landscapes, and incredible wildlife, Islamorada snorkeling will be an experience you will remember forever!

In this guide, I cover everything you need to know about snorkeling in Islamorada, including the best reefs to visit, the top Islamorada snorkeling tours, plus, everything you need to pack!

So keep reading if you are interested in experiencing the underwater paradise of Islamorada, Florida!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

A Complete Guide to Snorkeling in Islamorada, Florida: Top Tours, Best Spots, What to Bring, and more!

Frequently Asked Questions about Snorkeling in Islamorada

Best Islamorada Snorkeling Spots

Alligator Reef Lighthouse

Depth: 8 to 40 feet
Distance from Shore: 4 miles
Highlights: Snorkeling through a lighthouse!!

Alligator Reef, also known as Alligator Lighthouse, is not only my favorite snorkeling spot in the Florida Keys, but it might just be one of my favorite spots on Earth!

I grew up visiting Alligator Lighthouse on our annual trips to Islamorada, so it holds a special place in my heart! Although I’m biased, I promise it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Also, don’t be scared by the name! (There aren’t any alligators around). Alligator Lighthouse is named after the USS Alligator, which was a U.S. Navy schooner that ran aground in 1822. There are still remnants of the ship around the lighthouse that you can see while snorkeling!

While some snorkel tours in Islamorada visit this spot, you can also visit Alligator Reef on your own boat. There are several buoys around the lighthouse you can tie off to. From these buoys, it’s a quick swim to the lighthouse with plenty of wildlife along the way!

(You may seem some scuba divers in the area, but they typically stick to the outskirts where the water is deeper.)

This is a great snorkel spot for both beginners and advanced snorkelers. The water can be as shallow as 8 feet in some areas! You can even swim through the lighthouse, where large schools of fish tend to congregate.

However, if you aren’t a strong swimmer and the current is strong, I recommend sticking to the outside of the lighthouse. Last time we visited, the swells were big, and it took some effort to avoid being pushed into the structure of the lighthouse.

Underneath and around the lighthouse, you can expect to see nurse sharks, barracuda, yellowtail, pinfish, grunts, sergeant major, and so much more! There are always large amounts of fish around, which is why it’s one of the best Islamorada snorkeling spots.

The only downside to Alligator Reef is its distance from shore (4 miles), so it typically takes around 30 minutes to get to. There are other snorkel spots closer to shore, but in my opinion, they aren’t as beautiful!

Hens and Chickens

Depth: 5 to 35 feet
Distance from Shore: 2 miles
Highlights: Brain & star coral, sea fans

Next up on our list of best Islamorada snorkeling spots is the famous Hens and Chicken! Again, there’s no hens and chickens in the water here… It’s named this because the shape of the coral from above looks like a mother hen with her chicks!

You’ll know you’re at hens and chickens when you see the reddish brown marker in the photo below.

Hens and Chickens is one of the most popular snorkel spots in Islamorada because of its calm and shallow waters. Due to its location, there is not typically large currents here, making it the perfect place for snorkel boat tours to visit. It’s also closer to shore than other spots like Alligator!

Under the water, you’ll be spoiled with large star and brain coral that create a maze for snorkelers to explore. In addition, there are beautiful sea fans and sea rods, plus a large amount of tropical fish, eel, and Florida lobster, if you know where to look!

Since this reef is closer to shore, the water is often a little greener than spots further off shore like Alligator Reef. Don’t worry, it’s still beautiful!

Keep your eyes peeled, and you may even see a turtle playing in the sand or an eagle ray floating past 🙂

Cheeca Rocks

Depth: 8 to 20 feet
Distance from Shore: 1 mile
Highlights: Variety of coral and wildlife

Last but certainly not least is the famous Cheeca Rocks! Located just 1 mile off the coast of Upper Matecumbe Key, Cheeca Rocks is one of the best snorkel spots in the Keys for beginners and novices alike.

It’s straight off shore from the beautiful Cheeca Lodge & Spa, where I highly recommend staying if you are visiting Islamorada! Due to its proximity, snorkel tours from the hotel often visit Cheeca Rocks. You can even kayak or paddle board here if you are feeling adventurous.

The coral landscape and water color at Cheeca Rocks is very similar to Hens & Chickens. Sometimes, the water has a greenish hue due to the algae. However, as you can see from the above photos, the last time we visited was absolutely beautiful! The water was extremely clear and so so blue.

In addition to a variety of coral, you are guaranteed to be surrounded by wildlife at Cheeca Rocks. We often see parrotfish, blue tang, angelfish, snapper, and many other underwater creatures.

Top Islamorada Snorkeling Tours

Now that you know the best snorkel spots in Islamorada, let’s talk about the top snorkel tours to choose from! Luckily, there are many reputable snorkel tour companies in Islamorada, but I’ve summed up my top few to make it easy for you!

#1: Highest Rated Snorkeling Tour: My Top Pick! 

If you don’t want to do a bunch of research, take my advice and book this snorkeling adventure with Sundance Watersports!

This is one of most highly-rated snorkel tours in all of the Florida Keys. Sundance offers their tours every day of the week (weather dependent) and twice a day: 10am and 1:30pm.

Note: I highly recommend going on the morning tour. The ocean is typically calmer in the morning, and there will usually be less crowds!

Below is the pricing breakdown for this snorkel tour for adults and children! They offer base prices if you have your own snorkel gear. If not, you can rent through them!

• Adults (13+)
  • Base price (no snorkel gear): $49
  • Gear cost: $10 per set
  • Partial gear: $5 for fins or mask
  • Price with full set of gear for adults: $59
• Children (12 and under)
  • Base price: $39
  • Gear cost: $10 per set
  • Price with full gear: $49
• Riders (no snorkeling or swimming): $40
• Wetsuit Price: $10

This snorkel tour takes place on their signature 26-foot wide catamaran boat, Blue. The boat has two freshwater showers and a bathroom, a huge perk!

The tour typically goes to one of the three reefs mentioned in this post (Cheeca Rocks, Hens & Chickens, or Alligator Reef), depending on the weather and conditions each day.

Another perk of this snorkel tour is that it leaves from Robbie’s of Islamorada! You may have heard of Robbie’s before, as it’s famous for tarpon feeding, one of the top things to do in Islamorada.

Check prices and availability for this tour here! 🤿

#2: Best Private Snorkel Tour with KeyZ Charters

• Price: $900 for up to 6 people
• Duration: 4 hours
• TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars⭐
• Includes: Water and snorkel equipment
• Pick Up Location: Robbie’s (77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, USA)

If you’re looking for a more local and private experience while snorkeling in Islamorada, this 4-hour snorkel boat tour with KeyZ Charters is a great choice.

For $900, your group of up to 6 will have a half-day of adventuring around Islamorada with a private guide! The tour typically includes a trip to the bayside to look for marine life like dolphins and manatees! Then, head out to one of the incredible Islamorada reefs for a snorkeling adventure.

The cost of the tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, as well as bottled water.

This is the perfect option if you want to have the boat to yourself and your group!

Check prices and availability for this tour here! 🤿

#3: Snorkel & Sandbar Trip with Clearly Unique Charters

• Price: $125 for adults over 21, $85 for children
• Duration: 3.5 hours
• TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 stars⭐
• Includes: Snorkel gear, floats, paddle boards, and alcohol for adults
• Pick Up Location: Cheeca Lodge or Islander Resort

Last but not least, if you are looking to cross off TWO Islamorada bucket list activities in one day, I recommend this tour! This Snorkel and Sandbar Combo Adventure with Clearly Unique Charters is highly rated and perfect for the whole family.

Not only will you get to experience some beautiful Islamorada snorkeling, but you will also end your day at the famous Islamorada Sandbar. Located right off shore, the sandbar is one of the top things to do in Islamorada, where you can swim, snorkel, party, and relax in shallow, crystal clear water!

This combo tour allows you to experience both of these spots in one day! Clearly Unique Charters runs this tour daily out of the Islander Resort or every Monday, Wednesday, Friday out of Cheeca Lodge.

The tour is open to people of all ages, from toddlers to adults! However, if you have younger children, it’s recommended you book the early morning tour (10am versus 2:00pm), as the sandbar tends to get busier in the afternoon with party goers!

For adults 21 and older, the tour costs $125 and beer, wine, and rum punch is included!

Adults between the ages of 13 and 20 are less expensive, with tickets starting at $115. Children 12 and under are $85 per person, and toddlers 3 and under are $40 per person.

Check prices and availability for this tour here! 🤿

What to Pack for Islamorada Snorkeling

Mask, Snorkel, And Fins

As seen above, some of these tour options include snorkel equipment in the cost, while others charge extra.

If you don’t have your own snorkel equipment, you can certainly use whatever your chosen tour provides. However, I personally think having a good mask can make or break your snorkeling experience. If you are in the Florida Keys for more than a few days, it’s probably worth investing in your own snorkel equipment!

Now, I don’t recommend heading to your local Walmart or CVS and grabbing the first set you see. These aren’t the best quality and will probably be worse than what a tour operator will give you. Instead, do your research and purchase good quality gear like this mask and snorkel set OR this mask, snorkel, and fin set.

If you are wondering if you need fins… it depends! For those who are not the strongest swimmers, I do recommend fins, as it will make your experience swimming in the ocean much easier. However, they are not required for snorkeling!

I almost always use fins because 1. I already own them and 2. It makes it easier to swim down deeper to check out the wildlife!

Sunscreen and Other Accessories

Aside from a mask, snorkel, and fins, there are a few other items you should definitely bring on your snorkeling adventure in Islamorada.

An absolute must when snorkeling is reef-safe sunscreen. Please do not come to the Keys and lather on sunscreen full of chemicals. While reef-safe sunscreen is becoming more common, most drugstore brand sunscreens still contain harmful ingredients like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Octocrylene. Brands like COOLA and MANDA are both great options that do not contain any toxic chemicals! 

If you’re looking to read more about reef-safe sunscreen and its importance for protecting coral reefs, check out this article!

Aside from sunscreen, I highly recommend bringing a long-sleeve sun shirt or bathing suit top to protect your arms and back while snorkeling. I love wearing these because I don’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen in between swimming.

Lastly, a wide-brimmed sunhat, sunglasses, and lightweight coverup are all great to have for when you get out of the water!

Make sure to check out my guide on What to Wear in Key West for even more packing tips!

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret that Islamorada has some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys! There aren’t many places in the world where you can swim through a lighthouse or a maze of brain coral.

I hope you got all your questions answered about snorkeling in Islamorada from this guide. I promise you will be blown away by the turquoise waters and underwater scenery as you snorkel in Islamorada!

If you’re visiting Islamorada for a few days, don’t miss the other top things to do in the area, like going on a fishing tour or a sunset cruise out of Key Largo.

Below are some of my other Islamorada and Florida Keys blog posts to help plan your trip!
Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide
14 Best Restaurants in Islamorada, Florida
TOP Hotels in Islamorada, Florida
Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!