Florida is a diver and snorkeler’s paradise, offering everything from vibrant coral reefs to dramatic shipwrecks.
Best Snorkeling Spots in Florida
Snorkeling is best in shallow waters with clear visibility, and Florida has plenty of stunning locations.
Florida Keys
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo)
- The first undersea park in the U.S.
- Famous for the Christ of the Abyss statue and colorful coral formations.
As you slip into the water at John Pennekamp, the world above fades into a shimmering haze, and suddenly, you find yourself floating over an underwater garden. Schools of yellowtail snapper dart through the coral, and as you glide toward the famous Christ of the Abyss statue, its outstretched arms seem to welcome you into this tranquil world. The water is so clear that the sun’s rays dance across the seabed, illuminating a kaleidoscope of marine life.
Sombrero Reef (Marathon)
- A well-preserved reef with diverse marine life.
- Easy access via boat tours.
The boat ride to Sombrero Reef is short, but the anticipation builds with every passing wave. As you descend beneath the surface, the reef teems with life, parrotfish nibble at the coral, while a lazy sea turtle glides effortlessly past. You can hover in place and just be mesmerized by the intricate maze of brain coral and sea fans swaying in the gentle current.
Looe Key Reef (Big Pine Key)
- One of the most spectacular reefs in the Florida Keys.
- Frequent sightings of angelfish, parrotfish, and even reef sharks.
Take a deep breath and plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Looe Key where you will immediately be surrounded by a swirling symphony of angelfish and barracuda. Spot a nurse shark resting on the sandy bottom, its smooth body blending into the seabed. The reef here feels untouched, wild, and alive, a reminder of the beauty hidden beneath the waves.
Dry Tortugas National Park (70 miles off Key West)
- Pristine reefs surrounding Fort Jefferson.
- Some of the clearest waters in Florida, with vibrant coral and fish.
Arriving at Dry Tortugas feels like stepping into another world. The historic Fort Jefferson looms above, but the focus is on the vibrant reef below. As soon as you enter the water, spot goliath groupers, schools of silver jacks reflecting in the sunlight as they swirl around you, and lose yourself in this remote paradise, knowing that few places on Earth feel this untouched. If you are feeling brave and have a partner, snorkel around the fort for complete tranquility and sealife wonder.
Mainland Florida
Blue Heron Bridge (West Palm Beach)
- A shallow-water snorkel trail with amazing biodiversity.
- Home to seahorses, octopuses, and tropical fish.
Beneath Blue Heron Bridge, a whole world hides in the shadows of the pilings. Tiny seahorses cling to seagrass, an octopus peeks from a crevice, and a stingray camouflages itself in the sand. It’s a treasure hunt of marine life, each dive revealing something new and unexpected.
Devil’s Den (Williston, North Florida)
- A prehistoric underground spring with crystal-clear waters.
- Unique snorkeling experience in a partially enclosed cavern.
Stepping into Devil’s Den feels like entering a lost world. Descend into the cavern, where the sunlight filters through an opening above, for a glimpse of the eerie glow on the crystal-clear water. Stalactites hang above as you float weightlessly, watching ancient rock formations that have stood for millennia.
Silver Glen Springs (Ocala National Forest)
- A freshwater spring with excellent visibility and abundant fish life.
Drift over the sandy bottom of Silver Glen Springs and watch freshwater fish move lazily through the current. The water is so clear that it feels like you are flying, weightless and free. The tiny bubbles that escape from your snorkel as you exhale, are the only sound in this peaceful underwater sanctuary.
Best Scuba Diving Spots in Florida
For scuba diving enthusiasts, Florida offers stunning shipwrecks, deep reefs, and cavern dives.
Wreck Diving
USS Spiegel Grove (Key Largo)
- A massive shipwreck resting at 130 feet.
- One of the most famous artificial reefs in Florida.
Descending onto the USS Spiegel Grove is like entering a sunken time capsule. The massive ship looms out of the blue, covered in corals and home to swirling schools of barracuda. As you peer through a doorway into the ghostly interior you can imagine the stories this vessel could tell. Watch for sea turtles effortlessly gliding past the colorful fish that inhabit this reef.
USS Oriskany (Pensacola)
- The world’s largest artificial reef, known as the “Great Carrier Reef.”
- Sits at 212 feet, recommended for advanced divers.
The descent to the Mighty O is exhilarating. At over 200 feet deep, this aircraft carrier is a true giant resting on the ocean floor. Watch for schools of amberjack as you explore the flight deck, in this artificial reef teeming with life. The deeper you go, the more surreal it feels, like floating through history itself.
Vandenberg Wreck (Key West)
- A sunken military ship covered in marine life.
- Incredible underwater photography opportunities.
The moment you lay eyes on the USNS Vandenberg, its towering radar dishes covered in marine growth, you feel like you’ve stumbled into a sci-fi movie set. The wreck is massive, stretching into the blue abyss. As you weave through its corridors, the rusting metal shows a start of an evolution of this artificial reef as coral and sea creatures claim it as their own.
Cave and Cavern Diving
Devil’s Den (Williston, North Florida)
- A prehistoric cave system with a stunning underground pool.
Descending the stone steps into Devil’s Den, feels like stepping back in time. The air cools in the cavern as the walls close in, and soon, you are staring into the glassy blue water below. Sunlight filters through the small opening above, casting a golden glow that dances across the ancient rock formations. Slipping into the water is like entering another world, crystal-clear and eerily still with prehistoric fossils and remnants of creatures that lived long ago.
Blue Grotto (Williston, Florida)
- One of the clearest freshwater diving locations in Florida.
- Great for beginners and advanced divers.
Take a deep breath and descend into Blue Grotto’s cool, clear depths. The cavern opens up before you, its walls glowing in the light of your dive torch. The silence is absolute, broken only by the sound of your own bubbles. A resident turtle, Virgil, may delight you by appearing in the shadows, his ancient eyes meeting yours before he slowly disappears into the blue.
Ginnie Springs (High Springs, Florida)
- Popular for cavern and cave diving.
- Amazing visibility in freshwater springs.
Drifting through Ginnie Springs, the clarity of the water makes it feel like you are flying through air. The cavern entrances are dark and mysterious, but the sunlight spilling through the water creates a dazzling, almost ethereal effect. The gentle current carries you forward as tiny fish dart around in the peacefulness of this freshwater wonder.
