Snorkeling in Key West
Discover The Best Snorkeling In Key West
Reef Snorkeling Tours with Barefoot Billy’s
Key West is home to some of the most vibrant snorkeling in the United States, and Barefoot Billy’s makes it easy to experience it firsthand. Our snorkeling tours take you to the Florida Reef Tract, the third-largest living coral reef system in the world, where crystal-clear water and abundant marine life create unforgettable underwater views. Whether you’re a first-time snorkeler or a seasoned ocean explorer, our trips are designed to be fun, comfortable, and accessible for all experience levels.
Morning Snorkel
Includes: Breakfast, Unlimited Mimosas, Draft Beer & WineAdult: $45.95 | Youth: $29.95
• Duration: 3 hours
• Departure Time: 9:00am
• Location: 201 William St, Key West FL 33040
Start your day with the our morning snorkel tour cruising out to the world’s third-largest living coral reef to swim among tropical fish, sea turtles, and vibrant marine life before relaxing on the return with breakfast and refreshing drinks.
Afternoon Snorkel
Includes: Unlimited Open Well Bar, Draft Beer, Wine & ChampagneAdult: $49.95 | Youth: $29.95
• Duration: 3 hours
• Departure Time: 1:00pm
• Location: 201 William St, Key West FL 33040
Make the most of your afternoon with a snorkel trip to Key West’s best reef locations, featuring incredible marine life, clear water, and a laid-back cruise back with open bar.
2 Reef Snorkel With Sunset Cruise
Includes: Sunset Cruise, Unlimited Mimosas, Draft Beer & WineAdult: $59.95 | Youth: $39.95
• Duration: 3 hours
• Departure Time: 5:00pm
• Location: 201 William St, Key West FL 33040
This is the ultimate snorkeling adventure in Key West. We will visit not one but two incredible snorkeling locations and enjoy a legendary sunset cruise after snorkeling. After swimming with all of the colorful fish and coral enjoy unlimited drinks and tropical island music.
Why Snorkel In Key West
Why Key West Is One of the Best Snorkeling Destinations
Snorkeling in Key West offers a rare opportunity to explore a thriving coral reef just a short boat ride from shore. The warm, clear waters of the Florida Keys provide excellent visibility year-round, making it easy to spot colorful reef fish, rays, sea turtles, and other marine life. Thanks to calm conditions and protected reef locations, Key West snorkeling is ideal for beginners, families, and confident swimmers alike.
Guided Key West Snorkeling Tours to the Florida Coral Reef
The Florida Reef Tract stretches over 350 miles and is the only living coral reef system in the continental United States. On Barefoot Billy’s snorkeling tours, guests visit carefully selected reef sites known for healthy coral formations and active marine ecosystems. Expect to swim alongside tropical fish, parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, and occasionally sea turtles or spotted rays gliding through the reef.
Our Key West Snorkeling Tours
Barefoot Billy’s offers multiple snorkeling options so you can choose the experience that fits your schedule and travel style.
– Rise & Reef Morning Snorkel: Start your day with a refreshing morning snorkel adventure. This 3-hour tour departs in the morning and includes snorkeling at the best reef location, breakfast and unlimited mimosas, draft beer, wine and champagne after snorkeling.
– Dip & Sip Afternoon Snorkel: Perfect for a laid-back afternoon on the water, this 3-hour snorkeling tour combines reef exploration with a fun onboard atmosphere. After snorkeling, enjoy an unlimited open bar with draft beer, wine, champagne and mixed drinks while cruising back to Key West.
– Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Combo: The is the ultimate snorkeling featuring colorful reef snorkeling and a thrilling stop at the dolphin playground, this 3-hour snorkeling tour combines two of the most exciting Key West activities. After snorkeling, enjoy an open bar with draft beer, wine, champagne, and mixed drinks while cruising back to Key West.
Popular Reef Locations
Our promise to you is simple: we always select the reef location with the clearest visibility and the most abundant marine life for every trip. Depending on the day’s conditions, our favorite spots include Sand Key Lighthouse, Eastern Dry Rocks, Western Dry Rocks, and Rock Key.
What’s Included with Your Snorkeling Tour
Every Barefoot Billy’s snorkeling tour is designed for comfort and convenience and includes:
- All snorkel gear and flotation devices
- Snorkeling instruction and safety briefing
- Professional, knowledgeable crew
- Easy water access at reef locations
- Drinks onboard (varies by tour)
- Relaxing boat ride to and from the reef
*No prior snorkeling experience is required!
Marine Life Spotting Guide
Our reef is a dynamic ecosystem, meaning no two snorkeling adventures are ever exactly the same. Here is a look at some of the vibrant fish, unique corals and fascinating sea creatures you might encounter during your visit.
Mangrove Snapper
A highly common, reddish-grey fish that frequently gathers in large, shimmering schools around reef structures and coral ledges.
Southern Stingray
A large, diamond-shaped bottom dweller often seen gliding gracefully just above the sandy sea floor or burying itself for camouflage.
Bluestriped Grunt
A schooling fish recognizable by its yellow body, horizontal blue stripes, and the distinct grunting sound it makes by grinding its teeth.
Spotted Trunkfish
A peculiar, box-shaped reef dweller covered in white spots that swims in a comical, hovering manner.
Trumpetfish
A long, slender fish that often hangs vertically in the water column to cleverly camouflage itself among sea whips and soft corals.
Porkfish
A vibrant yellow and silver fish easily identified by the two bold, vertical black bands running across its head.
Hogfish
A uniquely shaped reef dweller with an elongated pig-like snout that it uses to root through the sandy ocean floor for hidden crustaceans.
Tarpon
Known as the “Silver King,” this massive, prehistoric-looking fish boasts large, reflective silver scales and is a legendary sight for snorkelers
Queen Angelfish
A stunningly vibrant fish featuring neon blue and yellow coloration with a distinctive crown-like spot on its forehead.
Green Moray Eel
A fascinating, snake-like predator that hides within reef crevices, appearing bright green due to a yellow mucus covering its blue-grey skin.
Grouper
These large, robust, bottom-dwelling predators are known for their stout bodies and large mouths used to swallow prey whole.
Spotted Eagle Ray
A majestic cartilaginous fish recognized by its flat, diamond-shaped body covered in white spots and a long, whip-like tail.
Butterflyfish
These graceful, disc-shaped fish are typically yellow and black, often featuring an eyespot on their dorsal fin to confuse predators.
French Angelfish
A large, striking reef dweller with a dark grey or black body beautifully accented by golden-yellow scales and a bright yellow ring around its eyes.
Parrotfish
Known for their beak-like teeth used to scrape algae from corals, these vibrant fish play a crucial role in producing the white sand found on tropical beaches.
Blue Tang
These surgeonfish are recognizable by their striking blue bodies, yellow tail fins, and the sharp, scalpel-like spines located at the base of their tails.
Yellowtail Snapper
A brightly colored fish easily identified by the distinct yellow stripe running the length of its body and its deeply forked yellow tail.