Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling: Reefs & Marine Life

The reefs start a few minutes' swim from shore, shallow enough that first-timers and confident snorkelers both find their depth.

Snorkel the nearshore reefs off Fort Lauderdale with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, starting with a safety briefing and practice session in shallow water before swimming out to artificial structures and soft corals. High-quality equipment including snorkeling life vests, sanitized masks and fins are provided; you can stay in the water up to two and a half hours and return to shore whenever you're ready. After the adventure, relax at a shaded seaside spot with complimentary fresh fruit, snacks and drinks, plus an instant photo to take home. Children are welcome from age 5.

The Experience

What makes this snorkel different is where it starts: you meet at the beach entrance, get a warm welcome with non-alcoholic drinks, then walk a short distance along the sand to the entry point. A guide walks you through the equipment—mask, snorkel, fins and a snorkeling life vest—and shows you how to use each piece. The practice happens in shallow water first, so you're comfortable before you ever leave the shallows. That setup means first-timers don't panic, and people who've snorkeled before don't waste time on basics.

The reefs themselves are a mix of artificial structures and soft corals, close enough to shore that the swim out takes only a few minutes. Once you're there, the marine life shows up: angelfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, grunts, snapper, spadefish, rays, and sea turtles if the day is right. You control how long you stay—up to two and a half hours—and you can head back whenever you've had enough. A dive flag marks your group so boat traffic knows you're there.

After you come ashore, there's a shaded seaside spot waiting a few steps from the sand. Fresh fruit, sweet snacks and drinks are complimentary, and you get an instant photo printed before you leave. The whole day is built so you're not rushing: the pace is relaxed, the guide is attentive, and the time in the water is yours to spend.

What’s included

• High-quality snorkeling equipment in adult and kids sizes (sanitized mask, snorkel, fins and snorkeling life vest).
• mask anti-fog solution and sunscreen.
• non-alcoholic beverages and spring water.
• freshly sliced chilled fruit and sweet snacks.
• an instant printed photo.
• GoPro footage.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• and a safety briefing with a practice session in shallow water before you swim out to the reefs.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Rio Santos

Is this one for you?The pace is relaxed and the water entry is gradual—you practice in the shallows before swimming out—so this works for first-timers who want guidance and confident snorkelers who want to move at their own speed without a rigid schedule.

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Top questions

What kind of fish and marine life will I actually see snorkeling off Fort Lauderdale?

The reefs are home to angelfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, grunts, snapper, spadefish, rays, and sea turtles. The mix changes with the season and the day, but tropical fish are consistent, and rays and turtles show up regularly enough that spotting them is part of the draw.

How far out do we swim, and how deep is the water?

The swim to the reefs takes only a few minutes from shore, and the reefs themselves start in shallow water. The depth is designed so both first-timers and experienced snorkelers find their comfort zone without having to go deep.

Is the snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

All equipment is included: sanitized masks, snorkels, fins in adult and kids sizes, and snorkeling life vests. Mask anti-fog solution and sunscreen are provided too, so you only need to bring yourself and a towel.

How long can I stay in the water?

You can snorkel for up to two and a half hours, and you're free to return to shore whenever you feel ready. There's no fixed time limit—the day is built around your pace.

What happens after we come out of the water?

You relax at a shaded seaside seating area just steps from the sand, with complimentary fresh fruit, sweet snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. You'll also get an instant photo printed as a memory before you leave.

Can my young child come snorkeling?

Children are welcome from age 5. Equipment comes in kids sizes, and the guide provides a safety briefing and practice session in shallow water so younger snorkelers build confidence before heading out to the reefs.