Snorkeling in Islamorada: Private Sandbar Charter

Four hours anchored at the sandbar instead of fighting crowds at a beach

A private snorkeling charter in Islamorada departs Angler House Marina for a 30-minute cruise through Whale Harbor Channel to the sandbar, where you swim and float in shallow clear water for the bulk of the trip. The return passes Shell Keys and Lignumvitae Key. Captain, life jackets, cooler with ice and water, onboard bathroom, and a large lily pad float are included. The boat accommodates wheelchairs with advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel and cruise to Islamorada Sandbar

• Depart from Angler House Marina
• Cruise through Whale Harbor Channel
• Watch for dolphins, manatees, and turtles
• Anchor at Islamorada Sandbar
• Swim, float, and relax on sandbar
• Cruise past Shell Keys and lobster traps
• View historic Lignumvitae Key
• Return to marina

The experience

You board at Angler House Marina on the Gulf side and cruise 30 minutes through Whale Harbor Channel, where dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and coastal birds often appear. The captain anchors at the sandbar in water shallow and clear enough to stand in, and you spend the bulk of the 4 hours swimming, floating or simply sitting on the lily pad. There's no schedule to keep and no crowd. The boat is yours alone.

On the return, you cruise past the Shell Keys and Lignumvitae Key, the highest natural point in the Florida Keys, so you see the landscape that frames the sandbar. The boat has a bathroom onboard, a cooler stocked with ice, cups and fresh water, a Bluetooth speaker, and noodles and frisbees if you want to stay active. Life jackets are provided for everyone and required. The captain is licensed and speaks English.

Infants sit on an adult's lap, and the boat is wheelchair accessible if you call Captain Merv ahead to confirm your chair's outside wheel width fits through the gate and boarding areas: wheelchairs up to 25 inches wide can usually be accommodated. Service animals are welcome, and the sandbar itself suits all fitness levels since you're floating, not hiking.

What’s included

• Licensed captain.
• life jacket for each person.
• cooler with fresh ice, cups and water.
• large lily pad float.
• onboard bathroom.
• Bluetooth speaker.
• noodles and frisbees for onboard use.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NAUTICAL TIKI CRUISES UPPER KEYS

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the sandbar to yourself without the logistics of renting a boat. The captain handles navigation and anchoring, and the private booking means no other groups competing for space or time in the water.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Islamorada Sandbar like when we get there?

The sandbar is shallow, clear water where you can stand, swim or float. The captain anchors in the best spot and you stay there for most of the 4 hours, with no schedule or other boats competing for space.

How long is the boat ride each way?

The cruise to the sandbar through Whale Harbor Channel takes 30 minutes. The return trip past Shell Keys and Lignumvitae Key is the same length.

What wildlife might we see on the way?

Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, tropical fish and coastal birds often appear in Whale Harbor Channel, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes, the boat has an onboard bathroom. There's also a cooler with ice, cups and fresh water available throughout the trip.

Can we bring our own food and drinks?

The charter includes water and ice, but you're welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages: alcohol is allowed if you bring it yourself.

Does the boat work for a wheelchair?

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but call Captain Merv before booking to confirm your chair's measurements fit through the gate and boarding areas. Wheelchairs with outside wheel widths up to 25 inches usually work depending on the fit.