15 Best Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Want to go Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL? Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city in the state of Florida. It is the county seat and the biggest city in Broward County. 

Fort Lauderdale is called the “Venice of America” because of its vast canal system. It has long been a famous vacation destination and is especially notable for its beaches and boats. 

The coastal city’s warm weather, sun-kissed sands, and throbbing nightlife used to draw only students on spring breaks, but families and tourists now come here to enjoy its myriad of attractions and activities. 

Hanging out on the beach, snorkeling, scuba diving, and enjoying fun water sports are some of the fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

You can visit the coastal city any time of the year and still make some of the most memorable memories of a lifetime. 

If you want to go snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL, here are places to visit.

Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL

1. Vista Park Reef 

Vista Park Reef 
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For the best snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL, visit Vista Park Reef, a dream destination for snorkelers. It is located in northeastern Fort Lauderdale and near Pompano Beach.

This snorkeling location provides snorkelers with an extraordinary array of marine life, shallow reef, and beautiful views of the surrounding sea. 

An excellent spot for novice and professional snorkelers, snorkeling at Vista Park Reef is a memorable experience. 

Snorkelers can look forward to seeing a wide range of coral and tropical fish in the shallow reefs of Vista Park Reef. 

From angelfish to parrotfish, you will enjoy exploring the rich colors and living the sea life in this snorkeling spot. 

Additionally, snorkelers can explore deeper depths and uncover the hidden mysteries of this snorkeling paradise. 

Address: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2. The Tuff Gong 

Tuff Gong 
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The Tuff Gong offers a premium escape from everyday stress and an incredible vacation adventure. It provides one of the best snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Experience the tropical vibes while enjoying sweet reggae music and marvel at the mansions and yachts that define living in South Florida. 

Absorb the fun on this reggae-influenced boat with numerous spots to anchor and swim in shallow water. 

The tour encompasses the Fort Lauderdale area and the lighthouse. Snorkeling with The Tuff Gong lets you experience this breathtaking area, all gears included. 

Make arrangements for your trips today and enjoy four hours on the water admiring the views and vibing to reggae music. 

You will take in the views of the city’s mansions and snorkel the astonishing ocean reef for visitors interested. 

Address: 2928 N Ocean Boulevard #2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, United States

3. Beach Ventures 

Beach Ventures 
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Beach Ventures provides a SEABOB snorkel experience on Fort Lauderdale’s beach, one of the best snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The SEABOB is a machine comparable to an underwater jet ski. On the surface, the machines pull you through the water, where you can view fish, and underwater, where you can swim with them. 

The electrical water toy also glides on the surfaces. It is lively, so you don’t have to be terrified of anything since if you are not moving, you will float on the surface. 

Beach Venture also equip guest with a safety harness attached to the machine, so no swimming skills are needed. 

Furthermore, they equip visitors with masks and optionally with wet suits. 

Beach Venture’s instructors will lead you on a reef where you can see assorted sea life, including sea turtles, Angelfish, Hogfish, Sergeant Major Fish, and Parrotfish. 

It is a one-of-a-kind and should be experienced by the young and old. There are guests as small as 12 years of age up to 50 years of age. 

If you want a snorkel in Fort Lauderdale, this is one of the tours you should do. 

SEABOBs with video cameras are also offered, allowing you to record your experience and share it with your pals and family. 

Address: 701 E Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States

4. Square Group So Flo 

Square Group So Flo 
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Uncover Fort Lauderdale’s gorgeous underwater world with Square Grouper SoFlo’s guided snorkel tour. 

Experience the charm of the coral reef and marine life without worrying about equipment rentals or location research. 

Square Group So Flo’s trained local guides will provide all the vital snorkeling gear and lead you to the finest snorkeling spots in Fort Lauderdale. 

They will share their vast knowledge of the local ecosystem and show you species, such as butterflyfish, angelfish, and tangs. 

With Square Group SoFlo, you will profit from a guide’s tips and insights on the finest snorkeling spots in the city and marvel at over 400 fish species. 

Their small group tours guarantee a personalized experience with local guides on hand to aid and ensure your convenience and security. 

Join Square Group So Flo for a day of sun and adventure, and allow them to aid you in falling in love with the beauty of nature and the delight of snorkeling. 

The only requirement is to know how to swim because they do not use a boat. 

Square Group So Flo is in Lauderdale-By-The- Sea, 14 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. 

Address: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida

5. Flamingo Yacht Charters 

Flamingo Yacht Charters 
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With years of experience, Flamingo Yacht Charters strive to maintain the highest standards of their charter fleet. 

Being locals of the area, they know the best places regardless of whether you want to snorkel, fish, or party. 

Whether on Flamingo Yacht Charters or private sailboat charter, you can explore many unique snorkeling spots. 

For visitors that want to explore as many spots as possible, they will gladly carry you to many Fort Lauderdale snorkeling sites in one outing. 

Flamingo Yacht Charters also offers affordable prices for their trips because they want many visitors to experience the waters of Fort Lauderdale. 

Address: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

6. Brownie’s Southport Divers 

Brownie's Southport Divers 
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Brownie’s Southport Divers is a top-tier scuba gear and equipment provider in Fort Lauderdale. 

They also offer a full range of diving services, including daily dive trips aboard their 32-foot Island Hopper Reef Roamer dive boat. 

Although the reef is licensed for 21 passengers, they confine all scuba trios to 6 divers for your convenience. They also have surplus boats if their boat is filled up. 

Brownie’s Southport Divers visit all wrecks and reefs from Tenneco Towers off Hallandale Beach to the Hydro Atlantic off Deerfield Beach. 

Reef Roamer, powered by a 3208 Cat Turbo diesel with an 18-knot cruising speed, takes you there and back in time. 

Brownie’s Southport Divers is an excellent choice in Fort Lauderdale for recreational, technical, or snorkeling.

Address: 1530 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

7. Tropical Sailing 

Tropical Sailing 
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Tropical Sailing, founded in 1999, began as modest business leasing small-sized Hobie Catamaran Kayaks and jet skis on the beach. 

Thanks to their devoted customers, they have expanded over the years, upholding their dedication to outstanding customer services and premium excursions. 

Tropical Sailing is now a top-tier sailing company in South Florida, and they are happy to share their passion for water sports and sailing with you, your pals, and your family. 

They provide Florida Yacht Charter services for individuals, big and small private and corporate groups aboard South Florida’s roomy and cozy fleet of Catamarans like the world-famous sailing Catamaran “Caribbean Spirit,” “Spirit of Lauderdale” and their own 40-foot Power Catamaran “Tranquility.” 

Patrons can snorkel on warm crystal Floridian waters and enjoy the breathtaking white sand beaches on the castaway cays off South Florida’s east coast. 

Tropical Sailing offers many professionally crewed luxury rentals and boat charters. 

Address: 801 Seabreeze Boulevard Dock B, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

8. Sea Experience 

Sea Experience 
Credits: PhotoSunnyDays / Shutterstock

If you want to experience one of the top snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Check out Sea Experience.

Snorkeling with Sea Experience is fun, safe, and accessible. They run two snorkeling trips every day at 10:15 am and 2:15 pm. 

The two-and-a-half-hour trip begins with a narrated tour via Millionaire’s Row on the Intracoastal Waterway to Port Everglades and, finally, the stunning Fort Lauderdale, FL, ocean waters. 

The reef is about one and a half miles offshore between Sunrise Boulevard and Olas Boulevard. This natural core reef hosts different colorful marine life. 

You will be astonished by the underwater world that lives right off their shores. 

Sea Experience spends about an hour at the reef, where you can snorkel or stay dry and relish the view via one of the glass bottom viewing wells on the boat.

They will then cruise back along the beach as they return to the dock, where they complete the snorkeling tour. 

Address: 801 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

Also check out our list of things to do in Fernandina Beach, and things to do in New Port Richey, in for a fun trip.

9. Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tours 

Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tours 
Credits: Denis Moskvinov / Shutterstock

Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tours offers one of the most inclusive and unique tours in South Florida. 

Their skilled guides have snorkeled and dived reefs for over 15 years. 

Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tour provides a thrilling experience for guests and helps conserve the natural landscape and underwater beauty. 

They specialize in marine conversation, safety, and the excitement of locals and tourists patronizing their hours-long services. 

The crew is highly professional, and guests are always known to have a splendid time. 

Furthermore, they are impressively knowledgeable about local marine life, so you have many opportunities to ask questions about any creature you come across underwater. 

The staff will also take their time to clarify everything about the gears and answer all your many questions. 

Address: 222 Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308, United States

10. Lauderdale Diver 

Lauderdale Diver 
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Lauderdale Diver is a PADI 5-Star Dive Certification Center that offers a vast selection of scuba diving equipment and an enormous range of PADI Courses. 

This family-friendly, full-service shop is family owned and has operated since 1977. 

Lauderdale Diver is also the most reputable and sought-after diver training organization globally. 

Learn how to dive and export many wrecks and beautiful colorful reefs. 

Whether a novice or advanced diver, they offer day-to-day dive and snorkel trips tailored to your certification and comfort level to different treasured sites in the ocean. 

Instructors are experienced, dedicated, and passionate about diving, and they only hire the highest caliber of personnel to ensure you have a memorable experience. 

Visitors can also visit the shop for exceptional training; the resort wears, quality training, sunglasses, and swimwear, all for fantastic prices. 

Address: 2830 W State Rd 84 #107, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, United States

11. Private Scuba and Snorkeling 

Private Scuba and Snorkeling 
Credits: Denis Moskvinov / Shutterstock

Envision yourself with your pals and friends snorkeling or scuba diving with seahorses, starfish, and octopuses in the crystal calm Atlantic Ocean water of Fort Lauderdale. 

For many visitors, it will be their first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean and swimming with butterfly fish, parrot fish, grey, blue, and Queen Angels. 

Laura, the Legend’s Proprietary Tip, welcomes novices in small private groups every day as the weather permits. 

They have had the best safety records for 20 years and have received over 2,000 guests worldwide. 

Your snorkeling or scuba diving tour includes equipment outfitting, private guided tours, and professional photos of you and marine life in the water. Additionally, snacks and drinks are served at the end of every trip. 

Laura, the Legend’s Proprietary Tip, snorkel and dive in the shallow, clear water of the Atlantic Ocean from 4 feet to 15 feet deep, and their trip lasts for 3 hours. 

Be the first to find a manatee, discover a shark’s tooth, or uncover lost treasures. Lifetime memories happen every day with Private Scuba and Snorkel.

Private Scuba and Snorkeling are in Dania Beach, 9 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. 

Address: Dania Beach, Florida

12. Sunrise Paddles 

Sunrise Paddles 
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Sunrise Paddleboards specializes in outdoor activities that are easy, healthy, and fun. 

For over ten years, they have provided tours, lessons, rentals, and sales of all kinds of equipment for water sports in the city. 

On a private snorkel tour with Sunrise Paddles, you will have your guide, who will carry you to the finest spots. 

Sunrise Paddles converge at their designated beach location and prepare all the gear, including masks, fins, and snorkel. 

Their instructors will briefly train you on all the accurate ocean snorkeling basics before leading you to the reef. 

The guide will demonstrate how to snorkel before heading to the reef if necessary. 

You will come across different tropical fish and underwater plants while enjoying an hour of underwater exploration. 

Address: 2520 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305, United States

13. Salty Soul Adventures 

Salty Soul Adventures 
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Established in 2019 by Amy and Adriana, Salty Soul Adventures offers a range of nature adventures and educational programs in South Florida. 

At Salty Soul Adventures, their passion is exploring, educating, and preserving. 

They strive to provide a safe, fun, and educational adventure on the water and land in key areas of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, North & South Miami, Hollywood, and the Florida Keys. 

Salty Soul Adventures’ services include kayak snorkels, kayaks, bikes, birding, and more. 

They cater to larger groups by request, but their guided adventures always involve small groups. 

Salty Soul Adventures is another terrific option if you want to enjoy a delightful day in the water and on land. 

Address: South Florida, United States

14. American Dream Dive Charters 

American Dream Dive Charters 
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American Dream Dive Charters runs daily charters to one of the 70+ shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale. 

This diving company uses its vessel, called the American Dream II, to offer exciting diving trips for all levels of divers. 

The American Dream II is anchored a few minutes from Port Everglades and has one of the finest diving in South Florida. 

Perfect for wreck diving, drift diving, and lobstering, this vessel includes hot showers, fresh water, a camera table, and two large ladders. 

This USG-certified 46′ custom-built dive vessel is both spacious and comfortable. She boasts over 4,000 square feet of deck space, including upper-level seating. 

American Dream Dive Charters is run by a fun, amicable, skilled crew who pays attention to divers’ safety and comfort. 

All outings include free snacks and drinks for passengers, and custom charters and group deals are available. 

Address: 88 Portside Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

15. Parrot Island Scuba Adventure 

Parrot Island Scuba Adventure 
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Another snorkeling location near Fort Lauderdale is Parrot Island Scuba Adventures in Pompano Beach. It is a family-owned and operated dive charter. 

What makes them special is that they have the highest level of passion for what they do. 

Parrot Island Scuba Adventure offers snorkeling, night diving, over 30 wrecks, technical diving, spearfishing, and drift diving. 

They get satisfaction from showing guests their first shark or witnessing the wonder-filled eyes of children experiencing underwater for the first time. 

All the employees love their job, which is apparent in how they treat their patrons. 

Parrot Island Scuba Adventures has one of the best crews in the region, and their divemasters are experienced and valuable. 

Their vessels and coast guards are maintained and certified; even the restrooms are functional. 

Because they want you to have a pleasant experience, Parrot Island Scuba Adventure has a specific amount of divers on their boat. 

Some of the underwater creatures you will encounter when you go snorkeling with Parrot Island Scuba Adventure include rays, eels, tropical and sport fish, and various species of sharks. 

Although they may seem more relaxed compared to other snorkeling providers, they are proactive when it comes to emergencies. 

They strive to be hands-on with their guests and work with them to make their experience safe and unforgettable. 

Parrot Island Scuba Adventure is in Pompano Beach, 16 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. 

Address: 2974 NE 14th St., Pompano Beach, Florida

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Plan Your Trip to Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale provides guests with exactly what they require for a vacation in Florida. 

This coastal city lives up to Florida’s nickname of the “Sunshine State,” with many fantastic beaches, stunning people, and warm weather recreation. 

You don’t want to miss out on snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It is a fun activity that will be enjoyed by all.

Begin planning your trip to Fort Lauderdale today.