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Florida has a bright sky, warm waters, and freshwater springs. It makes snorkeling the most enjoyable and unforgettable. Read to know more about the best snorkeling in Florida!
The Sunshine State has excellent snorkeling and lots of wildlife. Florida is a watersports paradise with 1,350 miles of coastline, rivers, and springs. Moreover, you will be in for a treat if you love exploring marine life and swimming.
Best Snorkeling in Florida
Contents
As you read about places to be for the best snorkeling in Florida…
You’ll notice we’ve included some fantastic photos of underwater photography by people snorkeling. Underwater still and video cameras are great for capturing and sharing memories. Our current favorite is the GoPro HERO9. It takes fantastic photos and videos and has some nice extras. We’ll also review other options soon, like the AKASO Brave 7. Some people feel it is a cheap option for the HERO 9. Watch for our review coming soon.
Best Snorkeling in Florida
School of fish with person Snorkeling in Florida
1. Fort De Soto is a Dose of History in Sunny Florida. It Offers The Best Snorkeling in Florida.
Fort De Soto is among the best places to snorkel in Florida, with good reason. The site is accessible by car while traveling through Pine Byway. I chose that place because you don’t need to rent a boat to access the best snorkeling spots. Campers flock there to pitch their tents along the lake. Despite this, the waters next to Fort De Soto County Park are peaceful and tranquil. Thus, it is a prime location for initial solitude and tranquility.
Human interacting with a turtle snorkeling in Florida
The chest-high waters have crabs, sea urchins, and live sand dollars. You can see them there when you go snorkeling in the water.
Moreover, camping at the fort is also an exciting activity. It is one of the most beautiful spots for camping in Florida at an affordable price. There are about 238 family camping sites and a primitive youth camping area.
Best Snorkeling Places
- Egmont Key State Park
- Fort De Soto Park
- Oceanfront St. Pete Beach
2. If You’re Looking For an Adventure, John Pennekamp is the Pace to Go.
Located in Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers some of Florida’s most memorable and best snorkeling. The park is home to stunning marine creatures and corals. The site is also a bit historic as it was the first undersea park in America. It’s easy to see why people visit it for the best snorkeling in Florida.
My bucket of best places to snorkel in Florida also includes Cannon Beach. While exploring the site, you might see remains of shipwrecks. The profusion of marine life and gorgeous fish species make snorkeling exciting.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Best Snorkeling Places
- Key Largo Dry Rocks (Christ of the Abyss)
- Grecian Rocks
- Garrets Reef
- Banana Reef
- Horseshoe Reefs
3. It’s The Dry Tortugas National Park! Get The Best snorkeling in Florida Here!
Dry Tortugas National Park is among the best places to snorkel in Florida. The best snorkeling in Florida is at the state park, another hidden gem. The park includes Fort Jefferson and seven islands 70 miles from Key West. History, nature, and relaxation make the site distinctive.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Best Snorkeling in Florida
But remember that the park is only accessible by ferry or charter. Ensure to plan your journey. The ferry includes park access, breakfast, lunch, and snorkeling gear for $190.
Best Snorkeling Places
- Dock Ruins on North Beach
- Moat Wall on South Beach
- Northwest of Loggerhead Key
4. Don’t You Just Love Key West? I Feel Like I’m in Paradise Every Time I Visit.
Key West is another destination to experience some of the best snorkeling in Florida. Snorkeling aside, people know the place for its beautiful sunsets, lively atmosphere, and delicious pies. The waters here house a variety of colorful sea creatures, including dolphins.
Best Snorkeling in Florida
Best Snorkeling Places
- Higgs Beach
- Fort Zachary Taylor
- Sand Key Lighthouse Reef
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Dry Tortugas
- Fort Jefferson
5. You’ll Know You’re In for a Treat as Soon as You See the Ginnie Springs Sign.
Ginnie Springs is among the most visited natural springs in Florida. The new place attracts a lot of visitors every year for many reasons. The springs are a must-see for Florida’s best snorkeling.
kids snorkeling underwater in Florida
- Devil’s Spring System
- Ginnie Ballroom
- Santa Fe River
6. The Devil’s Den in Florida is a Well-known Spot for Scuba Diving. But There’s a Whole Other World Hidden Beneath The Surface.
You can explore the Devil’s Den when traveling north of Ocala in central Florida. Unlike other places to snorkel in Florida on this list, Devil’s Den is an underground site. One of Florida’s oldest springs offers the best snorkeling.
a person exploring devil’s den, best snorkeling in Florida
Moreover, you can descend about 54 feet through clear, aqua waters at 72 degrees in the spring. The light that comes through holes in rocks above you will let you see a sparkling world.
7. Named After Its Striking Bay, Bahia Honda is a Beautiful Spot in the Florida Keys.
When exploring the Florida Keys, you tend to explore the most popular places like Key Largo. However, I’m here to tell you that you can’t miss Bahia Honda State Park. People can see all the creatures in the park. And it’s home to some of Florida’s finest snorkeling spots.
Bahia Honda is one of the best places to snorkel in Florida. It also includes some of Florida’s most stunning scenery. Also, you can have a great time with your family or friends on shores with palm trees and sparkling, clear water.
Bahia Honda State Park, Best Snorkeling in Florida
Moreover, as a snorkeling lover, you have two options at the park. You can either snorkel near the shore or join a guided snorkeling tour. Bring your snorkeling gear to the shoreline to see the seagrass beds and stony bottom.
Best Snorkeling Places
- Sandspur Beach
- Looe Key
8. Biscayne National Park is Every Inch the Tropical Paradise.
Biscayne National Park is another pristine location that offers the best snorkeling in Florida. You can find the park while traveling to the northern part of the Florida Keys and close to Miami. The national park’s location is an excellent getaway for city dwellers and tourists.
A great place to snorkel is only 50 minutes by car from the city center. Near the site are some of the best places in Florida to snorkel, like Fort Lauderdale Beach, Miami Beach, and Key Biscayne.
Biscayne National Park, Best Snorkeling in Florida
Biscayne National Park also has beautiful islands, coral reefs, mangroves, and many unique animals. While exploring the place, look for pelicans, turtles, and other wild creatures. When you snorkel in the national park, you can also see beautiful coral reefs and the remains of old ships.
Best Snorkeling Places
- Stiltsville
- Adams Key
- The Keys
- Boca Chita Key
- Elliott Key
9. Looking for a Little Sisterly Love? Check Out Three Sister Springs!
You can access the Crystal River by launching from King’s Bay Park. Three Sister Springs is another Sunshine State wonder. There are various outdoor activities and gorgeous animals. Driving north of Tampa Bay, you’ll discover clean seas for Florida’s best snorkeling.
A cormorant ignores tourists snorkeling in Three Sisters Spring, Crystal River, Florida, as it chases a school of bait fish
Moreover, swimming is accessible at the site from sunrise to sunset. But, the site is often closed during manatee season. This happens when a massive population of manatees swims in the water.
10. Destin, Florida: Where The Sun Shines Bright and The Waves Crash Hard.
Last but not least, Destin (the luckiest fishing village in the world) is also among the places that offer the best snorkeling in Florida. The Emerald Coast west of Panama City Beach has some of Florida’s top snorkeling beaches.
Moreover, with striking emerald-green waters, the destination attracts many visitors yearly. It is a must-visit place for people who love birdwatching and marine life. View schools of fish, stingrays, anemones, seahorse crabs, urchins, and marine turtles.
Destin Florida
Norriego Point is a good place for snorkelers who have yet to do it. From the west end of Gulf Shore Drive, it’s easy to get to this place. Then find protected jetties for an exciting snorkeling venture.
Best Snorkeling Places
- Panama City Beach
- Emerald Coast
- Fort Walton Beach
- Miramar Beach
- Navarre
Have You Tried Any Of These Snorkeling Areas?
Florida is the place to go if you’re looking for a cheap and exciting way to see the amazing coral reefs and the planet’s marine life. With so many great snorkeling places to choose from, it can take time to know where to start. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are our top picks if you’re looking for ideas for where to dive. Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Have you tried snorkeling in Florida? What’s your favorite place? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
What are some best places to snorkel in Florida?
Ginnie Springs, Destin, and John Pennekamp State Park are a few places for planning amazing snorkeling adventures. But really, any of the options we mentioned offer amazing adventures.
What place has the most transparent water in Florida?
Destin is one of Florida’s most stunning places with the most transparent water. The Choctawhatchee Bay beyond the beach serves as a filter, consuming the darker sediment to make the waters more transparent.
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Manatee and calf, photographed by snorkeler
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