Greater Miami & Miami Beach is famous for its stunning, glittering aquamarine waters that invite you to dive in. Snorkeling in Miami is a way to explore a colorful, different side of the destination, one populated by sea turtles, rays and over 60 species of tropical fish. It’s a fun, affordable way to literally dive into your vacation, and all you need is a few pieces of equipment. Here’s your guide to snorkeling around Miami, including how to get started and the best spots to hit.

Snorkeler exploring underwater — Grab a snorkel and explore the wonders beneath the waves

Gear, Getting Started and Safety Tips

Snorkeling is one of the easiest water sports to enjoy. Minimal equipment is required, and there’s easy access from right off the beach. All you need is a mask, fins and snorkel, and while dive shops sell high-quality advanced gear, you can find the basics at almost any drugstore in the area. That said, if you don’t want to pack your new snorkeling kit in your luggage, you can easily rent gear at any number of dive shops around town, like Deco Divers and Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center in Miami Beach; Grove Scuba in Coconut Grove; and Underwater Unlimited in Coral Gables.

You’ll need a basic knowledge of swimming to enjoy snorkeling. The fins help propel you, but the ability to swim is crucial. Assuming you have the basic skills, the next step is getting your gear on properly. Put the mask on your face and adjust it for a good seal. Then, hold the mask up against your face without the strap attached and inhale through your nose to ensure the mask’s seal works. Get in the water and put the fins on your feet, put the snorkel in your mouth and dip your face in the water. The sensation of breathing only through your mouth is a little strange at first, but once you get comfortable, it becomes second nature.

Remember, waves can dump salt water into your snorkel, so if you suddenly get a mouthful of the sea, blow out hard to clear it out then continue breathing normally. Pop up out of the water every so often so you know where you are and, most importantly, relax.

Swimming while snorkeling to enjoy the view under water — Snorkel through the vibrant marine life and hidden treasures

Top Snorkeling Spots in Miami

Biscayne National Park: A National Park That’s Mostly Underwater

Biscayne National Park is a fantastic place to snorkel over shipwrecks from more than 100 years ago along the Maritime Heritage Trail. It’s one of the most unique parks in the National Park System, with over 90% of it below the surface of the water. Book a tour through the Biscayne National Park Institute. They’ll teach you about the park’s history and importance as you glide out to the snorkel sites.

Key Biscayne: Not Just For Beginners

The shallow waters off Key Biscayne are an easy spot to dip your toes into the world of snorkeling. Grab your gear and hit the beaches at either Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park or Crandon Park and you’ll find crabs, barracudas, rays, angelfish and other marine life. The mangrove reef off Crandon Park is particularly rich in marine life.

Rainbow Reef & Emerald Reef: Colorful Worlds A Mile Offshore

If you like bright coral reefs, the best spots to see them near Miami are Rainbow Reef and Emerald Reef, about a mile off South Beach and Key Biscayne. You’ll spot elkhorn and fan reefs teeming with tropical fish and even an occasional nurse shark. You’ll need a boat to get there, so inquire with snorkel tour operators and see who’s running a trip.

South Pointe Park: Dive Into The Jose Cuervo Reef

The best snorkeling spot near Miami Beach sits just southeast of the 2nd Street lifeguard stand near South Pointe Park. That’s where you’ll find the Jose Cuervo Reef, an actual bar sunk by the famous tequila brand back in 2000. Its most frequent visitors nowadays are nurse sharks, angelfish and other tropical creatures. The reef is about 15-20 feet deep, so if you’re not skilled at freediving, it’s best viewed from the surface.

Lobster peeking out from under a rock — Look for spiny lobsters, tropical fish & nurse sharks, Photo by Mat Ratner

What to Expect When Snorkeling in Miami

The first thing to know about snorkeling in Miami is that the water is warm. No wet suit is needed, even in winter, as water temperatures are typically in the mid-80s during the summer and the mid-70s during the winter. Visibility is typically around 30-50 feet, so you’ll be able to see the reefs, wrecks and sea life pretty easily. You’ll spot colorful elkhorn, brain and sea fan coral reefs, angelfish, parrotfish, lobster, eels, rays, sea turtles, snapper and grouper and even an occasional nurse shark feeding around the reefs.

Couple of kayakers — Combine sea kayaking with a snorkeling adventure

Snorkeling Tours: Expand Your Explorations

Most dive shops in the area offer snorkeling tours. Many of them also take scuba divers, so if a certified diver is in your group, a tour can be a great way for everyone to enjoy the water.

The Biscayne National Park Institute runs snorkeling trips into the park from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead and from Coconut Grove. Schedules change by season, so check with the park before you go.

One of the more unique snorkeling tours in Miami is through the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach, which partnered with the University of Miami to adopt and restore a reef site near Key Biscayne, Angler’s Reef. You’ll sail with UM naturalists, who’ll explain their research, and join them as they take surveys and measurements. The half-day trips include snacks and snorkel gear and are available to guests and non-guests by booking through the hotel.

Miami EcoAdventures offers a combined kayak and snorkel tour in Crandon Park. Paddle into Bear Cut Preserve, then strap on a snorkel and see what lies beneath its warm, clear waters before your return trip to the beach.

Man swimming down deeper in the ocean to get a closer look — Explore the vibrant reef and its fascinating marine life up close

 The ReefLine: Bringing Art Underwater

In summer 2024, work began on the long-awaited ReefLine, a seven-mile underwater sculpture park and artificial reef. This multiphase project off the coast of Miami Beach is bringing art underwater, creating a series of sculptures that will become artificial reefs attracting all varieties of marine life. The first phase is Concrete Coral, adapted from a viral Art Basel Miami Beach installation that depicted a traffic jam of cars made from sand. This version will use concrete cars, perfect for housing colorful coral.

Explore more ways to enjoy the water in Miami.

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