Snorkeling in Miami | 9 Top trending spots in 2024

Calling all adventurers – Miami is the place for you! With its beautiful beaches, nightlife, friendly people, and tons of fun activities. The city is a blend of Cuban, Caribbean, Latin, and European influences creating a magical multicultural vibe. From Calle Ocho(Little Havana) to Wynwood Graffiti, Miami comes alive through food, art, music, and dance. No wonder Miami is the cruise capital of the world! This cool coastal city offers easy access to world-class snorkeling adventures year-round. Snorkeling in Miami has plenty to offer you. Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes in the water or an experienced snorkeler, Miami has it for all.

Why Snorkeling in Miami?

• Miami boasts the only coral reef system in the continental United States – the Florida Reef Tract.
• It is the third largest barrier reef ecosystem in the world after the Great Barrier Reef and Belize Barrier Reef. This reef tract is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.
• According to- Florida Department of Environmental Protection the reef stretches approximately 360 linear miles from Dry Tortugas National Park west of the Florida Keys to the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County. Roughly two-thirds of Florida’s Coral Reef lies within Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, a marine protected area that surrounds the Florida Keys island chain.
• Miami is home to the northernmost section of the Florida Reef Tract, with reefs lying just a few hundred yards offshore its beaches. It contains over 40 species of stony coral and 70 species of soft coral that provide habitat for over 200 species of fish.
• This third largest barrier reef ecosystem in the world parallels Miami’s shores, luring snorkelers and scuba divers from around the globe.
• The best snorkeling spots are found along Key Biscayne, Virginia Key, West Palm Beach and Miami Beach.
• According to – Ocean Conservancy Florida is home to thriving marine life such as sea turtles, corals, manatees, mangroves, dolphins, whales, sharks, sawfish, rays, spiny lobsters, crabs and countless species of fish.
• In Miami, you may spot angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, damselfish, and butterflyfish floating through branches of elkhorn coral, brain coral, and sea fans. Larger species like sea turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, dolphins, whales, and nurse sharks also frequent in Miami’s waters.
• The official travel site of Miami: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/

Best time for snorkeling in Miami

As we mentioned earlier, snorkeling in Miami can be enjoyed year-round due to its warm and subtropical weather. But March to May offers the best blend of warm yet comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and clear waters for enjoying Miami’s famous beaches and snorkeling. This spring season avoids the peak summer crowds and expenses. Hotel rates average 10-20% lower in spring compared to winter and summer. Families also take advantage of spring break in March to May. The water visibility is good and winds are generally light, creating ideal beach and snorkeling conditions. To know more about the daily temperature, wind and ocean current conditions for Snorkeling in Miami, Check here:

https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/fire/ocean-rescue/currentbeachconditions/

According to Lonely Planet website:

• November to February:
  • High Season– Winter brings out the best in Miami Beaches. Best time for festivals and Outdoor. Expect Higher prices galore and packed locales.
  • Key Events– White Party, Miami Book Fair International, Art Basel Miami Beach, King Mango Strut, Art Deco Weekend, Miami Marathon

• March to May: 
  • Best Season– The clubs are cooled off in spring season. The weather is warm and sunny with average highs around 80°F (27°C) and cooler temperatures in the 70s°F (low 20s°C)
  • Key Events– Miami International Film Festival, Carnaval Miami, Miami Beach Gay Pride, MiFo LGBT Film Festival

• July to October:
  • Low Season– June to July is the warmest time of year, intense sun and summer storms. Visiting during the fall (August to September) can be a gamble due to high possibilities of hurricanes.
  • Key Events– Miami Spice, International Ballet Festival of Miami, South Beach Sea food Week, BK Beach Run

How to get to Miami

Here are some of the most common ways to get to Miami:

By Air: Miami is served by two major local airports.

• Miami International Airport (MIA) is located approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown Miami, and is your most convenient link to air travel from the City. All major domestic airlines- Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit and other carriers, serve MIA and dozens of International airlines provide service to the area.
• MIA Customer Service Hot Line: (305) 876-7000.

• Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is an excellent alternate airport serving the Miami Beach community. Based in Hollywood, Florida, A major airport 25 miles north of Miami is serviced by many major domestic airlines and international carriers from Canada, the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries provide daily service. Van, taxi and limousine service is available to bring you to your hotel.
• FLL Customer Service Hot Line: 1-866-435-9355

By Car:

• North Beach and Middle Beach: I-95 North or South to 195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) or to the 79th Street Causeway.

• South Beach: I-95 North or South to 395 (MacArthur Causeway) over Biscayne Bay. 395 turns into 5th Street. For Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue or Collins Avenue areas, continue on Fifth Street to the end and turn left on the appropriate street. For Lincoln Road, the Jackie Gleason Theatre, City Hall and the Miami Beach Convention Center, continue on Fifth Street to Washington Avenue, Turn left on Washington Avenue and continue to 17th Street. Turn left. Public Parking Lots and Garages are located on the left side of 17th street and on Convention Center Drive directly across the street next to City Hall.

By Bus:

• Greyhound, Megabus, and Flixbus provide bus routes to Miami from across the US. Trip length varies by departure location

Miami snorkeling map

Location : 25.7617° N, 80.1918° W

Snorkeling in Miami Spots

1. South Pointe Park

South Pointe Park is located on the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, right along Government Cut and the Atlantic Ocean

• This 17-acre park includes walking paths, open green space, playgrounds, and dog parks
• The park provides public access to the beach along Government Cut. The cut allows boat passage between the ocean and Biscayne Bay
• The most popular features are a lighthouse and a 450-foot-long south Pointe pier which extends into the ocean and offers best snorkeling in Miami and fishing areas
• Along this pier you’ll come across many variety of fish including: barracudas, stingrays, yellow tails and many others
• Artificial reefs around South Pointe attract abundant marine life, making it a top spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing
• One of the best snorkeling spots is right alongside the jetty at the tip of South Pointe Park
• You need a diver down flag to go beyond the swimmer’s line. Boats and Jetskis do visit the area.

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• Timing: South Pointe Park is free to visit and open daily from sunrise to sunset, while the pier is open from 7:30 a.m. to sunset.
• Parking: There is metered parking along the street on South Pointe Drive. Charges around $3 to $4 per hour. But if you are planning to stay longer, a parking garage is recommended. 
• Amenities:
  • There is only one restaurant in the park: Smith & Wollensky steakhouse. Outside and indoor seating are available.
  • Restrooms, outdoor showers, lifeguards available
  • Unleashed Pets are not allowed on the beach. But there is a Bark Park which is designated as off-leash area for pets
  • South Beach Dive and Surf Center offers snorkel gear rentals

2. Half Moon Underwater Archaeological Preserve

• The Half Moon also known as the Germania, Half Moon Underwater Preserve and Exen was a German racing sailboat; it sank in 1930 near Miami. The wreck is outside Bear Cut, which separates Virginia Key from Key Biscayne.
• In 2000, the wreck became the seventh Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve. In 2001, it was added to the US National Register of Historic Places.
• The Half Moon is located on a shoal off of Key Biscayne near Miami, resting in 8-10 feet below the surface of water. 
• The visibility changes here with the tides. The high tide ensures clear water is coming in and the murky water leaving Biscayne bay
• At low tide, the top of the wreck is only 3-4 feet below the water
• The 154-foot steel yacht lies very shallow making it ideal for underwater photography and snorkeling. 
• Half Moon Wreck is home to stingrays, manatees, lobsters, nurse sharks, mollusks, and a colorful host of fish

3. Haulover Beach

• Haulover Park is a 177-acre park owned and operated by Miami-Dade County Parks located north of Miami Beach, between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean
• Haulover Beach Park is known for its designated clothing-optional area, making it one of the few legal nude beaches in the United States
• Haulover Beach Park is noted for blue waters, soft sand and plenty of picnic areas
• The park regularly hosts kite-making workshops and sells kites to fly facing Biscayne Bay. There’s a tennis center, golf course and dog park, too
• The snorkeling conditions at Haulover Beach are generally favorable throughout the year
• On Haulover south you can find the best snorkeling around jetties which is full of marine life esp. in the morning.

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• Timing: Sunrise to Sunset
• Parking: 8 a.m. – 1 hour before sunset. Weekdays-$7 for cars, Weekends and Holidays $10 for cars
• Amenities:
  • Restaurant in the park: B&B Haulover Beach Cafe Kiosk (Clothing optional section)
  • Beach wheelchair accessible, Boat ramps, Dock, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Restroom, Facility Rentals
  • Bark Park – no leash
  • Miami Sandbar Boat Rental offers snorkel gear rentals

4. Virginia Key Beach

“White Sand, Black Beach”

“When people think of Miami, They think of vibrant beaches, Caribbean music or Cuban coffee. But back in the days during the civil rights struggle, all beaches in the Miami area were closed to African Americans. As a result of a civil rights protest by NACCP in May 1945, Dade County created a separate public beach at Virginia Key Beach for Afro-Americans on August 1, 1945. The beaches remained segregated until civil rights laws opened all the beaches in the area to all races”

Gregory W. Bush an Associate Professor at the University of Miami, wrote in his book – White Sand, Black Beach about the Afro-American struggle for civil rights and access to public waterfront space in Miami. The book is about more than just the park.

• Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, located off the Rickenbacker Causeway, is 2 miles away from Miami’s hustle & bustle
• It is divided from Key Biscayne by a busy channel called bear cut
• This Park is relatively unspoiled by development and is non-residential. Island attractions include many ponds, rivers and waterways, a tropical hardwood hammock, and a large wildlife conservation area.
• It is known as an ecological treasure containing one of the largest mangrove wetlands in the state
• The warm, shallow waters along mangrove-lined Biscayne Bay provided ideal conditions for snorkeling off the sandy shoreline

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• Timing: Sunrise to Sunset
• Entry Fee: Free on Monday-Thursday. $8.00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• Parking: Free
• For Private tours checkout: Diver’s Paradise and Tarpoon Lagoon INC
• Amenities:
  • Authorized city vehicles are the only motorized vehicles allowed in the park
  • There are vending machines on site. The Historic Concession Stand Building provides special beverages, food and snack
  • There are barbeque grills throughout the beach park available for personal grilling and picnics.
  • Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Restroom
  • Domestic animals not permitted in park. No fishing permitted
  • Miami Sandbar Boat Rental offers snorkel gear rentals

5. Red Reef Park

• The Red Reef Park in Boca Raton spans 40 acres on one of Florida’s most scenic highways, State Road A1A
• The park is known for its rocky reefs just offshore, making it one of the best shore-accessible snorkel spots in the area
• The water tends to be calmest early in the day before winds pick up. Ideal conditions are a high tide with light offshore winds.
• A good spots to snorkel is around the rocks right off beach by lifeguard tower during high tides
• This is a shallow water snorkeling site suitable for children but take current water conditions into account
• You may encounter vibrant reef fish, sea fans, corals, turtles, eels and even dolphins.
• At the north end of the park, just across A1A is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. If you want to see sea turtles and other sea life, this is a great stop for the whole family

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Timing: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m
• Parking: Beach parking rates are expensive – weekdays $35, weekend $50
• Amenities
  • metered parking available across the street. cost $2 per hour on weekdays and $3 per hour on weekends
  • No food availability
  • There are barbeque grills throughout the beach park available for personal grilling and picnics
  • Covered tables, Picnic Shelter, outdoor showers, restroom
  • Domestic animals not permitted in park.
  • No snorkel gear rentals, come prepared with your own gear
  • Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

6. Pompano Beach

• Pompano Beach is located in Broward County, just north of Fort Lauderdale and 38 miles from Miami downtown
• Pompano Beach is named for the Pompano, a species of inshore tropical game fish that swims in the warm Atlantic waters
• This Beach is usually referred to as the “Wreck Capital” of Florida, boasting an impressive collection of 18 wrecks that await exploration by snorkeling enthusiasts.
• There are several snorkeling spots offshore that can be reached by swimming or by boat
• Pompano Beach Dropoff is one of the best sites for Snorkeling in Miami located about a half mile south of the Pompano pier
• Other Pompano Beach snorkeling sites are Suzanne’s Ledge, the Hall of Fame, and Oakland Ridges
• Waters in Pompano are clear and calm with great visibility and with an average depth of 6 to 22 feet
• You may encounter colorful fish, graceful sea turtles, bright corals, eels, tangs and maybe a shark

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• For private guided tour check out : South Florida Diving Headquarters
• For daily beach condition visit- pompano beach official site

7. Vista Park Reef

• Vista Park Reef is an artificial reef and a hidden treasure located about less than a mile offshore from Vista Park in Fort Lauderdale
• It takes 45 minutes drive via I-95 Express and I-95 N from Miami to reach Vista Park Reef
• The reef was created in 2000 from limestone boulders and concrete rubble and attracts a variety of marine life
• The water depth at Vista Park Reef ranges from 8 to 20 feet. It has multiple rock piles, steel beams, and concrete structures 
• High tide provides the clearest water, and the reef itself features patches of coral located about 1,000 feet from the shore
• Vista Park Reef is accessible from shore by swimming offshore. No boat is required
• Octopus, sea urchins, crabs, shrimp, lobster and tropical fish like blue tang, parrotfish, sergeant majors, angelfish, grunts are commonly seen

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Timing: open daily from sunrise to sunset
• Parking: Available
• Amenities
  • animals not permitted in park
  • No snorkel gear rentals, come prepared with your own gear
  • Lifeguards, outdoor showers, restroom available

8. Crandon Nature Center

• The Crandon Park Visitor and Nature Center is located on the breathtaking barrier island of Key Biscayne, with the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and Biscayne Bay to the west
• Crandon Park’s beautiful two-mile beach is owned and operated by Miami-Dade County Parks consistently named among the top ten beaches in the US
• The eco-friendly Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center can be found in the northern end of the park
• The beach here is lagoon style or low surf impact beach, and the shoreline varies-sloping from wading depth to 6-12 feet
• Its seagrass beds provide a home for mangrove snapper, barracuda, parrotfish, crabs, shrimp, sea stars, and puffer fish
• You can do good snorkeling during high tide because the water is way too shallow during low tide

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• Timing: Sunrise to Sunset
• Parking:  $5 weekdays; $7 on weekends
• For Private tours checkout: Miami EcoAdventures
• Amenities:
  • There are barbeque grills throughout the beach park available for personal grilling and picnics
  • There are vending machines on site
  • Beach wheelchair accessible
  • Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Restroom

9. Biscayne National park

• Biscayne National Park preserves Biscayne Bay, one of the top snorkeling areas in the United States
• It is composed of 33 small islands formed by fossilized coral reefs and spans a 28-mile-long reef
• The park protects the northern end of the Florida Keys and the world’s third-longest coral reef system: the Florida Reef tract
• While Biscayne National Park was established primarily for its natural features, it also preserves and tells the story of human history over 10,000 years
• Nearly every island in the park has evidence of use by native peoples and below the water’s surface are the remains of many shipwrecks.
• About 95 percent of Biscayne is water and most of the mainland portion is impenetrable mangrove
• Its animal biodiversity on land and water surpasses every other parks in Florida
• As the oldest structure in Miami-Dade, the lighthouse Cape Florida is a time capsule containing an immense amount of Florida history. it is Located at the south end of Key Biscayne 
• Nearly every island in the park has evidence of use by native peoples and below the water’s surface are the remains of many shipwrecks
• According to National Park Foundation: The park’s Maritime Heritage Trail which is accessible via scuba or snorkel offers an exciting opportunity to explore the remains of six shipwrecks
• Mandalay in particular offers an unparalleled opportunity for snorkelers to experience a shipwreck in a beautiful natural setting

Mandalay Shipwreck

Florida has a long and rich history of shipwrecks. Back in 1966 on New Year’s Day, the schooner known as the Mandalay ran aground on Long Reef off the coast of Florida. The schooner, built in 1928, is spread out underneath the crystal clear water and is home to many different schools of colorful fish, as well as reef flora and fauna. Today, located on the eastern part of Biscayne National Park, anyone with access and snorkeling gear can dive and see the wreck up close.

Maritime archaeologists and researchers continue to study Florida’s shipwrecks to preserve our understanding of the past. Many undiscovered wrecks likely still lie hidden in Florida’s waters.

Some Key Info:

• Snorkel Level: beginner to intermediate
• Timing: Park waters are open 24 hours a day, all year.
• Entry Fee: This site is free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required. For Camping: $35 fee for each overnight stay at Elliott Key or Boca Chita Key
• For Private tours checkout: Biscayne National Park Institute

Upcoming Surprise for snorkeling in Miami!!

New York has the High Line, Miami has the Underline and, in the next few years, Miami Beach will have THE REEF LINE

The ReefLine will be a new 7-mile underwater public sculpture park, snorkel trail and artificial reef located off Miami Beach’s shoreline. The ReefLine will provide a critical habitat for endangered reef organisms, promoting biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience. It is being built by OMA firm, and designed primarily to raise awareness on how climate change is impacting this part of Florida as it leads to rising sea levels and coral reef damage.

Conclusion

With so much to see under the surface, snorkeling in Miami allows you to experience a whole different side of Miami. It opens up a colorful underwater world that divers, snorkelers and marine life call home. So next time you’re visiting Miami, make sure to pack your mask and fins and dive into the city’s snorkeling scene! You never know what tropical surprises you might encounter just offshore. Suggest me some more spots in comment below. Happy Snorkeling!