Key West Reef Snorkeling Trip
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Photos: Photo: Flip Schulke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Our take
By Matt Spaulding, Founder and writer
The reef here earns the trip. NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary calls this the only coral barrier reef in North America, and Fury sails about 7 miles out of Opal Key Marina to reach it, with the captain picking among Sand Key, Rock Key, Eastern Dry Rocks and Western Sambo based on the day's conditions. Three hours total, split into rough thirds: an hour sailing out while the crew runs through instruction, an hour in the water, an hour back. Mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest are included, along with reef-safe sunscreen, and there is a freshwater rinse and a stairway into the sea. Sodas and water go out before the swim, with beer and wine after. Two things to weigh before you book. Getting to that reef costs you two hours of sailing for one hour of swimming, and if boats make you restless that ratio matters. And the sea sets the terms. Chop that feels like nothing from the sundeck is tiring once you are face down with a snorkel in your mouth. You have to know how to swim to use the gear. Wetsuits are seasonal, limited in sizing and billed separately.
Quick facts
- How long
- 3 hrs: about 1 hr out, 1 hr snorkeling, 1 hr back
- Best for
- Confident swimmers and first-time snorkelers
- Included
- Mask, snorkel, fins, vest, instruction, drinks, sunscreen
- Getting there
- Opal Key Marina, 241 Front St; reef is about 7 mi offshore
- Parking
- None at the marina; city garage at 301 Grinnell St
- Booking
- Photo ID at check-in; morning trip sails 9:30am
Where it is
Opal Key Resort & Marina, 241 Front Street (corner of Front and Greene), Key West, FL 33040
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Check tickets →Key West Reef Snorkeling Trip FAQ
How long is the trip, and how much of it is actually snorkeling?
Three hours in total, with about an hour of that spent snorkeling the reef, which leaves roughly an hour of sailing each way. The sail out is when the crew fits your gear and runs the briefing, so the time is not wasted, but go in expecting two thirds of the trip to be spent on the boat.
Can you snorkel the reef from the beach in Key West?
No. The reef sits about 7 miles offshore inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, so reaching it means a boat, every time. The captain chooses the day's site from Sand Key, Rock Key, Eastern Dry Rocks and Western Sambo depending on conditions, which is also why you cannot pick your spot in advance.
What snorkel gear is included?
Mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest come with the trip, along with instruction from the crew and complimentary reef-safe sunscreen. The catamaran has a stairway down into the water, a freshwater rinse and restrooms. Wetsuits are the exception: they are offered seasonally in limited sizing and are paid for separately, cash or credit.
Do you need to know how to swim?
Yes. Fury requires that you can swim to use the snorkel gear, and all guests are given a buoyancy compensator. Children four to ten book at a reduced rate and under-threes go free, but the swimming requirement applies to anyone getting in the water.
Is there an afternoon snorkel trip as well?
As of August 2026 the morning trip described here checks in at 9:00am and sails at 9:30am. The afternoon Reef & Ritas trip is a separate booking that checks in at 12:30pm and sails at 1:00pm, with margaritas served after the swim. Cancel inside 24 hours and no refund is issued unless you bought refund protection.
Where do you park for the snorkel trip?
Not at the Front Street marina. Fury provides no parking at its check-in locations, so it is street parking, a pay lot or a garage. The city's Old Town Parking Garage at 301 Grinnell Street is first-come, and paying there includes free rides on the city bus routes within Key West.