Snorkeling in Key West: Day trip from Miami with boat & drinks

The coral reef here is the largest living ecosystem on the US mainland, and you can see it in a single afternoon.

A day trip from Miami to Key West combines a three-hour guided bus ride to the island with a three-hour boat snorkeling tour over the coral reef, plus free drinks and music on the water. The tour departs twice daily and includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and two hours of free time in Key West for shopping and dining. Guests choose between the full snorkeling option or a bus-and-shuttle version. The snorkeling package includes the boat tour with reef access.

Step-by-step itinerary

Key West day trip from Miami

• 3-hour guided bus tour to Key West
• 2 hours free time for shopping and dining
• 3-hour boat tour with snorkeling
• Enjoy free drinks and music on boat

The experience

The day starts with a three-hour bus ride from Miami to Key West, traveling through the Keys in an air-conditioned vehicle. A live guide speaks English or Spanish throughout the journey, narrating the route and the ecosystem you're entering. Once you arrive, you have two hours to explore Key West on your own: time for lunch, shopping, or a drink at one of the waterfront bars before heading to the boat.

The snorkeling portion runs for three hours on the water. You'll use provided snorkeling equipment to explore the coral reef that sits just a few kilometers offshore: the same reef system that extends from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Palm Beach County on the Atlantic side. The reef is the largest living coral ecosystem on the US mainland, and the water clarity lets you see the multicolored coral landscape and the fish that live in it. A free open bar operates on the boat, and music plays throughout the tour. No food is provided during the snorkeling portion, so eating in Key West beforehand matters.

The full day runs long (roughly eighteen hours from pickup to return), so this works best if you're staying near Miami and can manage an early start. Both the bus and the boat are wheelchair accessible, and the tour accommodates infants and service animals. If you'd rather skip the snorkeling and just ride the bus shuttle to Key West and back, that option is available at checkout.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and use.
• a three-hour guided bus tour from Miami to Key West in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a three-hour boat snorkeling tour over the coral reef.
• a free open bar with drinks on the boat.
• music during the boat tour.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes. Two hours of free time in Key West for shopping, dining and exploring are included, though meals and additional drinks in the town are on your own.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish06:30

Guide in English or Spanish06:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Youth (3 to 20 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet us at the pick up location at 6.45am. The Claremont Hotel - 17th Street 1700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 We advise you to be outside at the meeting point 15 minutes in advance, in order to be sure to not…”

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Dave Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this full-day trip if you're based in Miami and want to reach the reef without driving yourself. The group bus handles transport while you rest, and gear is provided on arrival.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 20 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How far offshore is the coral reef in Key West?

The reef sits just a few kilometers from the island and is the largest living coral ecosystem on the US mainland, extending from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico to the coast of Palm Beach County on the Atlantic side.

What's included on the boat during the snorkeling portion?

Snorkeling equipment, a free open bar with drinks, and music are all included during the three-hour boat tour. No food is provided, so plan to eat during your two hours of free time in Key West.

How long is the entire day trip from start to finish?

The full experience runs approximately eighteen hours, including the three-hour bus ride to Key West, two hours of free time on the island, the three-hour snorkeling boat tour, and the return journey to Miami.

Can I do this tour if I don't want to snorkel?

Yes, a bus shuttle option is available at checkout that takes you to Key West and back without the boat snorkeling tour, though you'll still have the two hours of free time on the island.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes, both the air-conditioned bus and the boat are wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride in a stroller or pram, and service animals are allowed.