Ten snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys you'll love

The best snorkeling locations to explore in the Florida Keys

Ten snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys you'll love

The Florida Keys are like nature's own aquarium, minus the glass walls and overpriced gift shop. Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or just figured out how to keep water out of your mask last summer, these ten spots offer crystal-clear water, friendly fish, and the kind of underwater views that will make you forget about your lawn that needs mowing back home.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Image: Victoria Ballesteros

This is Florida's first underwater park. The star attraction is the Christ of the Abyss statue, a nine-foot bronze figure of Jesus standing in 25 feet of water with his arms raised like he's blessing all the confused parrotfish swimming by.

The water here is crystal-clear, and the coral gardens are healthy enough to make marine biologists get misty-eyed. You'll spot angelfish, sergeant majors, and if you're lucky, a sea turtle who couldn't care less about your excitement.

Molasses Reef

Image: Betty Sun

This shallow reef lies in about 15 to 35 feet of water, making it perfect for snorkelers since visibility is typically excellent. The reef got its name from a molasses barge that wrecked here ages ago. Today, it's home to enormous brain coral, schools of yellowtail snapper, and the occasional barracuda giving you a wary side-eye.

Dry Rocks

Image: Subtle Cinematics

Despite its contradictory name, Dry Rocks is very much wet and very much worth visiting. Located near Key Largo, this spot features another underwater statue, the Christ of the Deep, because apparently, one submerged Jesus wasn't enough for the Keys.

The reef here is shallow and sprawling, with plenty of elkhorn coral and enough tropical fish to make Finding Nemo look understaffed. The current is usually gentle, making it ideal for snorkelers who'd rather glide peacefully through tranquil blue waters.

Looe Key Reef

Image: Hiroko Yoshii

Named after a British frigate that had a really bad day here in 1744, Looe Key is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and consistently ranks among the best snorkeling spots in the entire state. The water is absurdly clear—like looking through your reading glasses after finally cleaning them.

You'll find vibrant coral formations, curious Nassau groupers, and more blue tangs than you can count. The reef stretches for about five miles, so there's plenty to explore.

Sombrero Reef

Image: Galli Handoko

Located off Marathon, Sombrero Reef features a 142-foot lighthouse that's been guiding ships since 1858. The reef encircles the lighthouse like a colorful underwater moat, with depths ranging from 15 to 30 feet.

Expect to see queen angelfish wearing their ridiculously fancy colors, spotted eagle rays gliding by like they're late for brunch, and countless grunt fish. At certain times of day, the lighthouse casts striking shadows underwater, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere.

Bahia Honda State Park

Image: Benjamin L. Jones

Bahia Honda boasts some of the Keys' most beautiful beaches, which means snorkeling here comes with premium above-water views too. Wade out from Sandspur Beach, and you'll find seagrass beds teeming with juvenile fish, conch, and the occasional ray partially buried in the sand.

The water is shallow and calm, making this spot perfect for nervous snorkelers or those who just want a relaxing paddle without encountering anything that might be featured on Shark Week.

Tennessee Reef

Image: Eggy Febryano

Tennessee Reef earned its name from the steamship Tennessee, which wrecked here in 1897, presumably after ignoring several "Watch Out for Reef" signs. Today, the reef sits in about 10 to 25 feet of water.

Snorkelers can spot plenty of sergeant majors, colorful parrotfish munching on coral like it's an all-you-can-eat buffet, and brain coral formations that look exactly like their name suggests. The relatively shallow depth means you can hover over the reef for ages without your ears complaining.

Grecian Rocks

Image: Analia Ferrairo

Grecian Rocks is one of the more accessible snorkeling spots in Key Largo. The reef tops out at just 5 to 10 feet below the surface, making it ideal for beginners or anyone who takes comfort in knowing they could technically stand up if things got weird.

The coral here is healthy and colorful, with plenty of tropical fish darting around like caffeinated hummingbirds. You might spot lobsters hiding in crevices, nurse sharks napping on the bottom, and enough varieties of fish to keep you entertained for hours.

Alligator Reef

Image: Subtle Cinematics

Before you panic, there are no alligators here—the reef is named after the USS Alligator, a Navy schooner that wrecked in 1822. There is, however, a stunning 136-foot lighthouse and some of the healthiest coral formations in the Keys.

The water ranges from 15 to 40 feet deep, the visibility is usually outstanding, and the marine life is spectacular: French angelfish, blue tangs, yellowtail snappers, and the occasional sea turtle that might photobomb your underwater selfies.

Cheeca Rocks

Image: david henrichs

Located off Islamorada, Cheeca Rocks is named after the nearby Cheeca Lodge. The reef lies in shallow water—about 10 to 20 feet deep—and features patch reefs scattered across the ocean floor like someone's underwater rock garden.

This spot is particularly good for spotting larger fish: permit, tarpon, and even the occasional goliath grouper, which could probably swallow your snorkel whole (but won't, because they eat fish).