The only living coral reef in the continental US is seven miles off Key West. Here is every boat that takes you there with a real price: shared reef trips from $39, combos with dolphins or the sandbar, and private snorkel charters from $447.
Not sure which boat? Start with our top picks →
Three that cover most people: the cheapest reef trip that still includes gear, the sail-and-snorkel day that regulars book, and the private boat that puts six of you on the reef alone.
— or browse every snorkeling tour below —
Fury's three-hour morning reef trip on a big catamaran. Mask, snorkel, fins and vest included. The lowest price to the reef in Key West.
Check AvailabilitySebago's afternoon reef trip with gear, and beer, wine and soda on the ride home. Same reef, later start.
Check AvailabilityMorning sail to the reef on a catamaran with mimosas on the way out. Kids under 12 are $14.95.
Check AvailabilityAfternoon snorkel with margaritas, beer and wine after you climb out. The social one.
Check AvailabilityReef snorkel that rolls into the Rum & Reggae sunset sail. Two trips on one ticket for $49.
Check AvailabilityRise & Reef: two reef stops in the morning on the big Sunset Watersports cat, breakfast aboard.
Check AvailabilityFury's dolphin watch in the backcountry, then a snorkel stop. The pick if the group wants both and won't pay for a private boat.
Check AvailabilitySunset Watersports' morning dolphin and snorkel combo with lunch aboard.
Check AvailabilityTwo reef stops in the afternoon and the sunset cruise on the way in, with drinks.
Check AvailabilityDanger Charters' morning: sail out on a schooner, snorkel the reef, kayak the mangroves. Small groups, the one repeat visitors book.
Check AvailabilityHonest Eco's electric catamaran: dolphins, a guided snorkel with a naturalist, and a sandbar stop. Quiet boat, small group.
Check AvailabilityPapa's Cat: reef snorkel plus a sandbar afternoon on a sailing catamaran.
Check AvailabilityDolphin watching and snorkeling on a fast catamaran with a marine-life guide. Infants $69.
Check AvailabilityA three-hour private snorkel charter for up to six from Sand & Sea. Four hours is $596.
Check AvailabilityMermaid Charters' three-hour private snorkel excursion. Your boat, your reef, your pace.
Check AvailabilityPrivate afternoon snorkel that ends with the sunset from the water. Up to six.
Check AvailabilityPirate Adventure Charters' four-hour private snorkel trip, up to six. Six hours is $899.
Check AvailabilityHalf-day private charter splitting time between the reef and a sandbar. Up to six.
Check AvailabilityHonest Eco's Cowfish, private for six: sandbar and guided snorkel on a quiet electric catamaran.
Check AvailabilityMermaid's private combo: snorkeling, the Boca Grande sandbar and dolphin watching in one four-hour charter.
Check AvailabilitySunset Sail Key West's private dolphin-watch and snorkel sail for up to twelve. About $76 a head full.
Check AvailabilityDanger Charters' private sail, snorkel and kayak day for up to 22 guests. About $102 a head full.
Check AvailabilityMost go to the reef line six to seven miles south of the island — Sand Key, Eastern Dry Rocks, Rock Key and Western Sambo, depending on wind and visibility that day. The captain picks the site the morning of. It is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.
Yes. The reef sits in 5 to 25 feet of water, the shared boats supply mask, snorkel, fins and a flotation vest, and crew are in the water with you. Morning trips are calmer than afternoon ones; if anyone is nervous, book the morning.
Shared trips run $39 to $129 per person and are the right call for one to four people. A private boat starts at $447 for up to six — under $75 a head — and you skip the crowd, pick your pace, and can add a sandbar or dolphin stop. From five people the private boat is usually cheaper.
Gear (mask, snorkel, fins, vest) on every shared trip and most private ones; drinks after the snorkel on most shared boats; lunch on a few of the combos. Not included: the 15–20% crew tip, and reef-safe sunscreen — bring your own, and make sure it is reef-safe.
Mornings, for calmer water and better visibility. May through September has the warmest, clearest water; winter fronts stir it up and cancel some trips. Weather cancellations by the captain are refunded.
Your local guide to Key West snorkeling
Live prices · Instant confirmation on the operator's calendar · Weather cancellations refunded
Back to Top PicksNominees we wrote up ourselves. They did not pay for these pages and had no say in them.
