Snorkeling in Lauderdale by the Sea: 90-Minute Reef Tour

Nurse sharks and sea turtles share the reef you'll enter in a small group.

A 90-minute guided snorkeling tour in the Atlantic Ocean off Lauderdale by the Sea puts you in a small group with an instructor who provides all equipment—mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device—and leads you to a reef where angelfish, parrot fish, sea turtles, nurse sharks and coral live. Fifteen minutes of instruction on the beach covers equipment use and safety before you enter the water. Swimming skills are helpful, and a flotation device is available if you want one.

The Experience

You meet on the beach in Lauderdale by the Sea where the guide hands you a mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device. After a 15-minute safety briefing and equipment walkthrough, you wade into the Atlantic and head out to the reef in a small group. The guide leads, pointing out the sea life as you move through the water—angelfish, parrot fish, sergeant major fish, hog fish, sea turtles, nurse sharks and coral formations. Most of the time you're moving slowly and looking, not swimming hard; the flotation device keeps you stable if you need it.

The whole experience runs 90 minutes from start to finish. You don't need to bring anything or arrange transport to the beach—the meeting point is accessible by public transportation. Children from age 10 are welcome, and the guide speaks English throughout the tour.

What’s included

• All snorkeling equipment—mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device.
• 15-minute instruction on the beach covering equipment use and safety.
• a small-group guided tour of the reef with an English-speaking guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Snorkel and Dive Tours

Is this one for you?The 90-minute format fits a morning or afternoon slot without eating your whole day, and the guide handles all the planning—you show up on the beach, get geared up and head to the reef. If you've never snorkeled before or haven't done it in years, the 15-minute instruction on the beach gets you comfortable with the equipment before you enter the water.

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Top questions

What kind of sea life will I actually see on this snorkeling tour?

The reef off Lauderdale by the Sea holds angelfish, parrot fish, sergeant major fish, hog fish, sea turtles, nurse sharks and coral. What you see depends on the day and the conditions, but the guide knows where to look and will point them out as you move through the water.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel here?

Swimming skills are helpful but not required. The guide provides a flotation device you can use to stay stable in the water, and the pace is slow—you're moving along the reef and looking, not racing or diving deep.

What's included in the snorkeling tour price?

The tour includes all snorkeling equipment—mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device—plus the guide and the 15-minute instruction on the beach before you enter the water.

How long does the whole experience take?

The snorkeling tour runs 90 minutes total, including the 15-minute instruction and safety briefing on the beach and the time in the water on the reef.

Can children go on this snorkeling tour?

Children age 10 and up can join the tour. Infants and small children can come along in a stroller or pram if an adult stays on the beach with them while others snorkel.