The 6 Best Key West Snorkeling Tours of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Half Day Cruise with Kayaking and Snorkeling – Buy Tickets at Viator "One of the most well-established, experienced sailing companies in Key West."
Dolphins and Snorkeling Combo: Shipwreck Snorkel and Wild Dolphin Encounter – Buy Tickets at Viator "The four-hour adventure includes snacks, refreshments, fresh fruit, beer and wine."
Best Day Trip: Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip – Buy Tickets at Viator "Once on the island destination, tour the fort and snorkel in the beautiful waters around Garden Key."
Best All-Inclusive: Water Adventure Excursion in Key West – Buy Tickets at Viator "You'll get to visit the Key West National Wildlife Refuge to explore the underwater ecosystem."
Best Activities: Key West Full-Day Power Adventure – Buy Tickets at Viator "Offers a variety of water activities including parasailing, kayaking, riding on WaveRunners and more."
Best Backcountry: Key West Schooner Backcountry Tour – Buy Tickets at Viator "Set sail on a classic, two-masted wooden schooner from the Key West Historic Seaport."

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Best Overall: Half Day Cruise with Kayaking and Snorkeling

Hop aboard a sailing vessel that holds a maximum of 20 people for a half-day trip with Danger Charters—one of the most well-established, experienced sailing companies in Key West. The 4.5-hour journey includes a relaxing sailing experience with snacks, wine, sodas, and beer with morning or afternoon departures from downtown Key West. Then, visitors have an opportunity to kayak some of the mangrove-like canals to see wildlife up close before snorkeling in some of Key West’s beautiful patch reefs of the National Wildlife Refuge, which is filled with colorful fish and sponges. Guides provide an overview of kayaking and snorkeling, plus a history about the area. Viator members noted that the crew was fun and upbeat and they made the trip even more enjoyable.

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Dolphins and Snorkeling Combo: Wild Dolphin Sail and Shallow-Water Snorkel

Shipwreck Snorkel and Wild Dolphin Encounter — Getty Images

For a chance to combine dolphin spotting with a snorkeling trip, book the Wild Dolphin Sail and Shallow-Water Snorkel. The four-hour adventure includes snacks, refreshments, fresh fruit, beer and wine, with the first stop being a wild dolphin playground. Here, passengers can watch wild dolphins swimming, feeding, jumping out of the water and following alongside the boat in their natural habitat. Next, hop off the 28-passenger, sailing catamaran into the shallow waters for a chance to snorkel above a coral reef, shipwreck or sponge garden. The trip departs from the historic Key West Bight. Viator members said that the trip was well-organized and they saw many fish, dolphins, turtles and more.

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Best Day Trip: Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip

The Dry Tortugas National Park is a truly unique place that consists of the historic Ft. Jefferson, a Civil War-era fort on a small island chain that’s located 70 miles from Key West. It is only accessible by boat or seaplane and is surrounded by a beautiful reef. The Dry Tortugas Day Trip includes a ferry ride past some stunning areas, including Boca Grande Key, the Marquesas Keys and the Rebecca Shoal Channel. Once on the island, tour the fort and snorkel in the beautiful waters around Garden Key or relax on the beach. Breakfast and lunch are included in the price. Bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen—there’s very little shade on the island.

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Best All-Inclusive: Water Adventure Excursion in Key West

Get the most value out of this all-inclusive tour, which includes a full day of sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking in Key West. Along with water activities, a ticket to All-Inclusive Water Adventure Excursion in Key West includes a buffet lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks—local taxes are even included in the cost. You'll also get to visit the Key West National Wildlife Refuge to explore the underwater ecosystem or relax at the sandbar. With a professional guide on hand, this tour is sure to save you both money and time.

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Best Activities: Key West Full-Day Power Adventure

In addition to snorkeling, the Key West Full-Day Power Adventure tour offers a variety of water activities including parasailing, kayaking, riding on WaveRunners and more. You'll leave Key West's Historic Seaport by catamaran first, cruising along the Gulf of Mexico to take in the beautiful ocean views and marine life. Then, you'll get to participate in the tour's several watersports or simply relax under the sun. Plus, breakfast and lunch are served on board, with local delicacies like golden-fried chicken and steamed shrimp.

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Best Backcountry: Key West Schooner Backcountry Eco-Tour: Sail, Snorkel & Kayak

Set sail on a classic, two-masted wooden schooner from the Key West Historic Seaport on the Key West Schooner Backcountry Eco-Tour: Sail, Snorkel & Kayak, a six-hour immersive experience. Join the crew to unfurl the sails, take a turn at the wheel or just relax and keep an eye out for dolphins and sea turtles. Next, a guide leads the way through mangrove channels in sea kayaks for an up-close experience in the backcountry. After that is snorkeling in a nearby patch reef surrounded by sponges and tropical fish. Morning trips include a continental breakfast of quiches, fresh fruits and pastries, while afternoon departures offer a buffet of deli meats, cheeses and Key West pink shrimp.