Florida is the only place in the continental United States with living coral reefs, plus clear freshwater springs full of manatees. This directory pulls together dive shops and snorkel operators statewide so you can find the right trip for reef, wreck, or spring.
The Florida Keys hold the state's signature reef diving. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is the country's first undersea park, and Key West operators like Fury Key West Watersports and Sebago Watersports run daily reef snorkel and dive trips. Expect roughly $45 to $75 for a snorkel trip and more for two-tank certified dives. Water is warmest and clearest from May through September, though winter still delivers good visibility on calm days.
The other side of Florida diving is freshwater. Central Florida's springs run a constant 72 degrees year round, and spots like Blue Spring State Park and Wekiwa Springs State Park near Orlando are prime for snorkeling and manatee viewing in winter. Up in Crystal River, Bird's Underwater Manatee Dive Center runs guided swims with manatees, a bucket-list trip best from November through March. Use the Florida travel guide to plan your base, and check the best beaches in Florida for shore-snorkel spots near your hotel.
Match the operator to your comfort level. First-timers and families do best on guided reef snorkel trips out of the Keys or in the calm, shallow springs. Certified divers can book two-tank reef and wreck dives, and many Keys shops also run scuba certification courses over a few days. The Panhandle adds its own options, where Boogies Watersports in Destin runs snorkel and watersports trips in clear Gulf water.
Diving pairs naturally with the rest of a water-focused trip. Many dive shops share marinas with tour and boat trip companies, so you can snorkel in the morning and take a sunset cruise the same day. Beach towns from Key West to Destin also put you near the Panhandle sand and the state's golf courses, making it easy to build a varied week from one base.
Tour Agency · 23.1k reviews
Sunset Watersports Key West offers boat tours, snorkeling trips, and water activities from downtown Key West, catering to tourists wanting accessible reef and wreck dives without extensive certification requirements.
201 William St, Key West, FL 33040
State Park · 18.7k reviews
Blue Spring State Park is a natural spring preserve where visitors can swim and snorkel in clear, 72-degree freshwater that attracts manatees seasonally, best visited November through March for manatee viewing.
Florida
Tour Agency · 12.1k reviews
Fury Key West Watersports operates glass-bottom boat tours and snorkeling excursions from Greene Street, focusing on casual reef exploration and sightseeing for families and non-divers.
631 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040
$$$$ Amusement Park · 14.6k reviews
Discovery Cove is a marine theme park in Orlando offering guided dolphin encounters, snorkeling in artificial lagoons with tropical fish, and ray feeding in a controlled environment.
6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Tour Agency · 9k reviews
Siesta Key Watersports rents paddleboards, kayaks, and offers guided water tours from Sarasota's busy Siesta Beach, serving casual beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts.
5253 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231
State Park · 16k reviews
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach combines Civil War fort tours with beach access and snorkeling opportunities at Key West's southern tip, drawing history buffs and divers.
601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040
Tourist Attraction · 17.8k reviews
Robbie's of Islamorada is a dockside attraction and restaurant where visitors hand-feed large tarpon fish in shallow water, plus offers boat tours and casual water activities in the Middle Keys.
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Research Institute · 9.8k reviews
Mote Marine Laboratory is a research facility in Sarasota offering educational aquarium exhibits, guided tours about marine conservation, and encounters with sea turtles and sharks.
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Tour Agency · 6.5k reviews
Florida Water Tours operates small-group boat excursions from St. Augustine's historic waterfront, focusing on dolphin spotting, nature viewing, and coastal exploration in northeast Florida.
107 Yacht Club Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
State Park · 11.1k reviews
Wekiwa Springs State Park provides freshwater spring swimming and snorkeling in 72-degree water with hiking trails, attracting locals seeking relief from central Florida heat.
1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712
Tour Agency · 6.1k reviews
Pelican Adventures runs boat tours and snorkeling trips from Destin Harbor, specializing in dolphin encounters and reef exploration along Florida's Gulf Coast.
580 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Tour Agency · 5.8k reviews
Danger Charters operates deep-sea and reef fishing charters plus snorkeling excursions from Key West's waterfront, serving anglers and casual snorkelers.
255 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
Tour Agency · 8.1k reviews
Sebago Watersports offers catamaran snorkeling cruises and beach transportation from Key West, known for all-inclusive day trips with food and drink service.
205 Elizabeth St, Key West, FL 33040
State Park · 10.9k reviews
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects Florida's only living coral reef and offers boat tours, snorkeling, and diving at the Christ of the Abyss statue site in Key Largo.
Key Largo, FL 33037
Tour Agency · 5.1k reviews
Boogies Watersports rents jet skis, parasailing, and paddleboards from Destin Harbor, targeting active visitors seeking high-speed water sports.
16 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Tour Agency · 4.7k reviews
Destin Parasailing operates parasail tours towed behind boats from Destin's harbor, offering aerial views of the gulf for thrill-seekers without diving certification.
214 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Sporting Goods Store · 3.8k reviews
Bird's Underwater Manatee Dive Center specializes in swimming with wild manatees in Crystal River springs during winter months, led by experienced guides in their natural habitat.
320 NW US-19, Crystal River, FL 34428
State Park · 5k reviews
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park offers beach swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in shallow Gulf waters near Naples with undeveloped beach access.
11135 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples, FL 34108
Tour Agency · 4k reviews
Get Up And Go Kayaking operates paddling tours from Rock Springs near Apopka, featuring freshwater springs and wildlife viewing for beginner and intermediate kayakers.
5722 Baptist Camp Rd, Apopka, FL 32712
Tour Agency · 3.4k reviews
St. Pete Coastal Cruises operates from South Pasadena and runs Gulf Coast boat tours focused on dolphin watching and coastal sightseeing in the Tampa Bay area. The operator is known for consistent sightings and casual half-day excursions that appeal to families and casual tourists.
6810 Gulfport Blvd S Apt 3, South Pasadena, FL 33707
Tour Agency · 4.7k reviews
Southern Star Dolphin Cruise operates from Destin Harbor and specializes in guided dolphin-watching boat trips along the Emerald Coast. The business attracts visitors looking for guaranteed wildlife encounters with professional naturalist commentary.
100 Harbor Blvd A, Destin, FL 32541
Tour Agency · 3.3k reviews
Frisky Mermaid offers dolphin cruises and pontoon boat rentals from Pensacola Beach, combining guided tours with independent boat rental options. It serves both tourists wanting structured tours and groups preferring self-guided water exploration.
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
Tour Agency · 3.8k reviews
Everglades Swamp Tours operates high-speed airboat rides from Fort Lauderdale into the Everglades wetlands, featuring alligator and wildlife viewing in their natural habitat. The operation suits thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts interested in ecosystem education rather than calm coastal cruising.
3500 Everglades Pkwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33327
The Florida Keys, especially John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo and the reefs off Key West, offer the state's best coral diving. For freshwater and manatees, Crystal River and the Central Florida springs near Orlando are the top picks.
No. Most operators run guided snorkel trips that require no certification, and the freshwater springs are ideal for beginners. Scuba diving on the reefs and wrecks does require certification, and many Keys shops offer courses if you want to earn it on your trip.
November through March is manatee season, when the animals gather in Central Florida's warm springs and around Crystal River. Guided operators like Bird's Underwater run swim tours during those months.