Key West Snorkeling Guides: Reefs, Seasons & Tips

Guides to Key West's reefs, water temperature by month, winter snorkeling, safety, and how Key West compares with Key Largo and the Dry Tortugas.

Book Your Experience

Book the Key West Reef Snorkel & Sail Adventure

A three-hour sailboat trip with Floridays: about an hour out, about an hour in the water, about an hour back, with a limited guest count and drinks on board.

Sailboat under way on turquoise water, seen from above with guests on deck

Key West Reef Snorkel & Sail Adventure

  • 4.7/5 (569 reviews)
  • About 3 hours
  • Free cancellation
  • Operated by Floridays

Includes Mask, snorkel, fins and flotation vest (sanitized) · Professional guidance on using the gear · Water and soda

From $79 per person Check Viator Availability

You'll choose your date and complete the booking on Viator. Free cancellation under Viator's standard terms; the booking page shows the deadline.

Reef guide

The Best Snorkeling Spots in Key West: Offshore Reefs, Shore Spots and the Backcountry

Where to snorkel in Key West: Sand Key, Rock Key and Eastern Dry Rocks by boat, Fort Zachary Taylor from shore, and the backcountry, with depths and rules. Read guide → Planning

The Best Time to Snorkel in Key West: Seasons, Months and Time of Day

When to snorkel in Key West: warm wet summers, dry windier winters, spring break in March, hurricane season dates, and morning, afternoon or sunset trips. Read guide → Planning

Can You Snorkel in Key West in Winter? Water, Cold Fronts and What to Wear

Yes, Key West snorkel trips run all winter. Water averages 72.5 to 78.3 °F from November to February, and cold fronts bring wind. What to wear and book. Read guide → Comparison

Catamaran vs Small-Boat Snorkeling in Key West: Big Reef Boats, Schooners and Small Groups

Key West snorkel catamarans vs small-group schooners and capped boats: group sizes from the listings, where each goes, prices, ratings and who suits which. Read guide → Comparison

Dry Tortugas vs Key West Snorkeling: Ferry, Seaplane or a Reef Trip from Key West?

Dry Tortugas or a Key West reef trip: ferry and seaplane prices, snorkeling at Fort Jefferson, why booking sites skip the ferry, and what to book instead. Read guide → Reef guide

Snorkeling Eastern Dry Rocks and Rock Key off Key West: Depths, Coral and Rules

Two small reefs east of Sand Key: Eastern Dry Rocks, a coral restoration site, and Rock Key, whose protected status changed in 2025. Depths, rules and trips. Read guide → Comparison

Fury vs Sunset Watersports: Which Key West Reef Snorkel Should You Book?

Fury and Sunset Watersports side by side: reef trip prices on Viator and GetYourGuide, ratings, docks, drinks rules, snorkel time and who each one suits. Read guide → Safety

Is It Safe to Snorkel in Key West? Sharks, Rough Water, Vests, Seasickness and Sun

How safe Key West snorkeling is: shark bite numbers for the Keys, rough-water days, swimming rules, vests, briefings, seasickness, sun and reef rules. Read guide → Decision

Is Snorkeling in Key West Worth It? Who Should Go, Who Should Skip, and What You Will See

Is Key West snorkeling worth the money? Who it suits, who should skip, what you see on the reef after the 2023 bleaching, what it costs and the downsides. Read guide → Shore guide

Key West Shore Snorkeling: Fort Zachary Taylor, What You Will See, and When to Take a Boat

Snorkeling Key West from shore: Fort Zachary Taylor's rocky beach, the park fee, gear rental, what you see compared with the reef, and when to take a boat. Read guide → Month guide

Key West Snorkeling in December: Water Temperature, Christmas Dates and Which Trip to Book

Can you snorkel in Key West in December? Yes: water averages 75.3 °F and highs about 77 °F. Cold fronts, Christmas and New Year dates, what to wear and book. Read guide → Month guide

Key West Snorkeling in February: Water Temperature, Wind and Which Trip to Book

Can you snorkel in Key West in February? Yes: water averages 73.8 °F and it is one of the driest months. Wetsuits, cold fronts, February or March, trips. Read guide → Month guide

Key West Snorkeling in January: The Coolest Water, Wetsuits and Which Trip to Book

Can you snorkel in Key West in January? Yes, but it is the coolest month: water averages 72.5 °F. Wetsuits, cold fronts, what to pack and which trips to book. Read guide → Month guide

Key West Snorkeling in November: Water Temperature, Weather and Which Trip to Book

Can you snorkel in Key West in November? Yes: water averages 78.3 °F, the dry season begins and hurricane season ends on 30 November. What to wear and book. Read guide → Comparison

Key West vs Key Largo Snorkeling: John Pennekamp, Christ of the Abyss and the Key West Reef

Key West or Key Largo for snorkeling: John Pennekamp's park tour and fees, Christ of the Abyss, Key West reef trip prices, the drive and who suits which. Read guide → Planning

Key West Water Temperature by Month: What to Expect on a Snorkel Trip

Key West water averages 72.5 °F in January and 88.7 °F in August. Monthly means in °F and °C, how each range feels, and when to wear a rash guard or wetsuit. Read guide → Comparison

Morning vs Afternoon Snorkeling in Key West: Times, Drinks, Prices and Which to Book

Key West morning and afternoon snorkel trips compared: departure times, breakfast and open-bar drinks, price gaps, sunset options and how to pick a slot. Read guide → Reef guide

Sand Key Reef Snorkeling off Key West: The Old Lighthouse Reef, Depths and Trips

Snorkeling Sand Key reef off Key West: how far the old Sand Key Lighthouse is, how deep the spurs are, the sanctuary rules, and which trips may stop there. Read guide → Reef guide

Western Sambo Ecological Reserve: What Snorkelers Should Know Before Booking

Western Sambo Ecological Reserve off Boca Chica Key: where it is, the reserve rules, why no Key West group trip we review names it, and what to book instead. Read guide →

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