What Are the Best Snorkeling Locations in Tavernier and Islamorada, FL?

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The best snorkeling locations in Tavernier and Islamorada, Florida, are always up for debate. But, for many people the truth lies in the Middle Keys.

Here at Coastal Outfitters, we’ve been providing snorkeling charters in The Florida Keys for years and have seen it all. In our opinion, there are few more stunning snorkeling locations than those found in Tavernier and Islamorada.

In these locations, you can lay your eyes upon incredible tropical fish, turtles, coral reefs and much more. Here are the best snorkeling locations in Tavernier and Islamorada, FL:

Best Tavernier Snorkeling Spots

Tavernier is overlooked for offering some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the Florida Keys. Anyone wanting to get up close to nature’s beauty should look no further.

Tavernier is located on the Key Largo Island of the Florida Keys, specifically between the towns of Key Largo and Islamorada. Tavernier is a short drive from renowned John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It is home to a variety of unique dive sites.

Hen Reef and Chicken Reef

Thanks to a decent size of beautiful patch reefs, the Hen Reef and Chicken Reef is one of the most unique and best Tavernier snorkeling locations. If brain coral mounds, star coral mounds, friendly fish, and wrecks are your thing, this is for you.

With depths of 15-22 ft, it’s also perfect for beginner snorkelers! Hen Reef and Chicken Reef gets its name from the shape it has when seen from the air.

Location: Degrees/Minutes N 24 55.900, W 080 32.900

Little Conch Reef

Little Conch Reef is also considered one of the best Tavernier snorkeling locations, with shallow diving and snorkeling safe for beginners. Covering a half-mile flat sand bed, Little Conch Reef features large, dramatic ledges with a vast lobster population, moray eels and even the harmless nurse sharks!

Location: Degrees 24.942500, -080.473833

El Infante Spanish Galleon Shipwreck

People flock from near and far to dive down to the El Infante Spanish Galleon Shipwreck, one of the best Tavenier snorkeling locations.

This wreck was part of the 1733 Silver Plate Fleet and is known for being surrounded by a large pile of ballast stones. If you want to feel the ocean’s history up close, this is your chance!

Over the years, hundreds of silver coins have been retrieved from the wreck. Some say you can still find more!

Snapper Ledge

Snapper Ledge provides a shallow reef located just off of Key Largo Island. Snorkeling fans adore it thanks to the continuously present groups of Yellowtail snapper.

This is a great place to get immersed among thick schools of fish, including nurse sharks, moray eels, hog snappers, sea urchins, crabs, goatfish, rays, shrimps and maybe octopus too!

Molasses Reef

Molasses Reef is an unmissable experience. To some, it’s considered not just the best snorkeling location in Tavernier and Islamorada but the entire Florida state. It’s one of the most visited reefs in the world.

There is something for everyone with depths ranging from a shallow 10ft for snorkelers to 70ft deep for scuba divers.

At each depth level, you’ll find different environments with sand shoots, hard bottoms and various coral types.

You’ll see incredible Elkhorn coral, giant brain corals, perfectly clear waters and a variety of vibrant sea life.

As this reef is a little further out, we’ll come across bigger fish and sea life species than other snorkeling spots in the Florida keys. Who knows, maybe you’ll see a dolphin or Goliath Grouper!

Oh, and don’t forget the large number of caves that might be home to a sea turtle!

Best Islamorada Snorkeling Spots

Islamorada is a short drive from Tavenier and presents a great opportunity for snorkeling charter in The Florida Keys for all ages and skills.

Located on the Upper Matecumbe Key, Islamorada is referred to as such due to the nearby town. Here, you’ll find some of the best snorkeling locations in the Florida Keys, with wonderful patch reefs halfway between the key and outer barrier reef edge.

Alligator Reef

Alligator Reef is named after the USS Alligator that sank in 1825 while fighting off a fleet of pirates.

Ballast stones are all that remain, but that’s presented a vibrant home to a wide range of fish species, colorful coral and sponges.

Head a little further out and we’ll find the famous Alligator Reef Lighthouse. This is one of the best snorkeling locations in Islamorada, with an abundance of fish swarming underneath it for shade. The shallow waters here make it great fun to explore for novices and experts alike.

Crocker Reef and Wall

Crocker reef is the home to truly breathtaking coral formations and a small underwater canyon. Here you’ll get to witness sloping depths that are the backdrop for Turtles, eagle rays and barrel sponges.

A must-have on our list for the best snorkeling locations in Islamorada.

Davis Reef

Davis Reef is famous for its statue of Buddha on the sand bed. With depths ranging from 10-30 ft, you’ll see moray eels, schools of fish and sea turtles!

Victory Reef

Beginners and slightly more advanced divers will enjoy choosing Victory reef as their snorkeling location in Islamorada. With epic walls, ledges, caves and eye-catching coral, you’ll have the time of your life. Divers report back on seeing sharks, turtles, eels and more!

Things to Consider – Picking the Best Snorkeling Locations in Tavernier and Islamorada, FL

• Remember the three Cs – calm water, clear water and collections (fish, reefs, ledges and corals). A great mix of these will make for a perfect snorkeling charter in the Florida Keys for all ages!
• Your best shot at seeing colorful fish is around coral reefs and wrecks.
• The best snorkeling locations in Tavenier and Islamorada are usually relatively close to the beach but too far out to swim – you’ll need a boat to get you there.
• Snorkeling is a bucket list experience! It’s a day we promise you’ll never forget.

Scalloping Tours in Pasco County and Homosassa

We also provide Scalloping Tours in Pasco County and Homosassa, which is a huge amount of fun! Our captains will help you find these delicious treasures in Pasco County and Homosassa. Scalloping is easy for all the family and will take you within touching distance of marine life, so long as you can swim.

What are Scalloping Tours?

Scalloping is a form of fishing and super simple. You simply float upon the surface of shallow grass flat waters, enjoying nature’s beauty until you suddenly spot the blue eyes of a scallop! Take a breath and dive down to collect a scallop and place it on your bag. We can collect two gallons of scallop per person or ten gallons per boat. They’re easy to cook and delicious!

Anclote Key Snorkeling Tours

Just three miles from the mainland, Anclote Key includes four islands (Anclote Key, North Anclote Bar, South Anclote Bar and Three Rooker Island) of pure white sand and beautiful blue Gulf waters. As a protected nature reserve, this is your chance to experience an undeveloped island in Florida, with an 1887 lighthouse the only real evidence of construction. The 11,773-acre park is home to nesting sea turtles and over 43 species of birds, including the bald eagle, American oystercatcher and piping plover.

Our Snorkeling tours to Anclote Key expose you to Tarpon Springs history as you look out on the Keys, dolphins, magnificent birds and stunning fish. Once we reach the island, you can walk the perfect white sand beaches as we look for shells and sand dollars. Unless you own your own boat, this is the only way to visit Anclote Key and Shell Key.